The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-01-17
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Twice Won, is Won.
By DWIGHT TlNeLE scoTT.

3 +tCopyf1Bnt lSzVt W thS
Newspaper Syndicate)
"a n ID M'LAREN was benign Idol,
That is conclusion not lightly
~ arrived at. To appreciate the
breadth Of his benfgnity you would
have had to know Sid in the days
when he was old man Parsous's drug
clerk; you would have had to pull him
out some morning at 2 O'Clock to I'LL
the baby's Group prescription; OF 70
Contemplate his homely but expan-
aiye smile as he waited upon the
threa-deep row of people who would
line mn for a nut. sundae after the last
performance at the orpheum; or to
see I'm slowing old. Aunt Fliny FLAG
e.1,a and a dozen bundles into the
Berryyille hack. which at promptly
each afternoon took its rickety depar-
lure from in front OF Parsons apo
thecary shop.
And to sound the depths OF his
idiocy you would have to know all the
circumstances that led to his up and
leaving Just when old man Parsons
was about to turn the business over
10 him and make him the chief bepefi-
ciary in a will. And by rights you
should also know the girl in the case
but soundsi-and likewise Mad Tom
fishes-we can't go. into that now.
For the editor Of this paper mas de-
cided views about modern fiction, and
If you can't uphold virtue, expose
subterfuge, foil the villain and marry
off the heroine all in the compass OF
twelve hundred words you have got to
look for another market. That elm
mates Sid's past. know he was a
benign idiot. You have got to take
F,to ,,nr,,, faith Sn let'g go.
Between the Larraby House and
Simpsons Theatre-and this has
nothing to do with the town which
Sid had left nor the girl-between the
hotel and the theatre Is passage
way. It is wider than those passage
ways down which wash water and
offending smells come. II Is not SO
wide az an alley.
Al popcorn man has built stand
which makes II blind on the Main
street end, but 1t is open to Wooo-
lawn avenue. Between the bare fire
walls the patch of sky above looks
uncommon blue, and of an Afternoon It
is cool and damp and quiet there.
There Is a single side door into NE
hotel and q sNal stage entrance
across from It.
TO make short cut, drummers
sometimes come in that way at noon
and bid faithful Fridays park their
sample laden pushcarts there. And
when, as Is frequently the case, a
theatrical production finds Its drops
and mechanical effects too elabor-
ate for Simpsons stage, they store
scenery in this passageway. SO us
uallyS It Is cluttered up like the side
walk in front Of Harlem nat build
49,, Etrst <,f Catcher
Sid McLaren came out this little,
door and glanced about like man
seeking air. Inside the boys were
lounging about and smoking and
talking. When the clerk handed him
the letter he looked knowingly at
Sid. At least it seemed so TO Sid, 50
he took his letter and finding some one
In the writing room finally landed
ON o packing case in the far end OF
the passageway-a !, sort OF hidden
solitude which such letter seemed
to demand.
For Sid had been expecting Just
this letter. Now that 1t had really
come, the contents-well, one never
can quite anticipate despair or ella
ton.
Sid read the letter through, turned
it over, gazed at the blank, reverse
side. turned It back and reread the
last sentence: Despite our patience
you have not been able to develop
sufficient business to justify our con-
tinuing your employment. We regret
, that we viii have to ask you to come
I in at the end OF the week"
Rapt IN the contemplation of his
own problem, young McLaren did not
hear the. conversation which floated
out from the door at the other side
of the passageway:
The hussy-cat. So that was why
she has been hanging around the
wings when Frieda was on. But they
wouldn't dare, Marjorie. Tucker
wouldn't do a dirty trick like that,
mean as he is"
ut is already done. Here's the
notice. Tucker signed it." The quiet
tones of the last speaker were in con-
trast 10 the passionate, strained voice
Of the other girl.
Here comes old Tuck now; I'm
gonna ask him. Mr., Tucker, is 1t true
Mrs. Hansel has been understanding
Frieda and Is going to take the part
tonight?'
You mind yer own business" The
man turned his back and addressed
the other girl. I'm sorry. Marjorie,
honest am, but 1t is Hardy's orders.
He's been sour on you ever since you
wouldn't, go on that party"
She was tall with dark chestnut hair
and straight, firm profile. Only
4 slight giisten in the big. gray eyes told
the halfedozen girls hanging in thu
wings that her steady voice was only a
bit of stage business.
It's all right, Mr.. Tucker-it's all
rights Hardy's show. Then I'll not
\ need to stay for the understudy's re-
hearsai?"
Listen grille, / am sorry, and II
was you, and you'll take an old
timers advice"
But the girls head had gone up and
proudly she had walked away.
Presently Sid McLaren became
aware that his solitude had been in
truded upon. Beyond pile of trunks
Z some one was sobbing softly, but
with earnest abandonment.
Cautiously Sid pushed his face up
until he could command the other
Spse of the pile. Though Marjorie
Ststn was the tall Diana Of the third