The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-05-13

Will -Wisp-o- Spring.
BY A. MARlAjcRAWFoRD

my boy" said Tedford NC.
: Graw, patting the broad
shoulders OF convalescent patent
in, 81. Luke's Hospital.
Jim looked up, a little smile twist
ing his wide straight mouth. You've
been a great boss, M.. McGraw."
"'ru,, tut said The old man. His
merry round lace was wreathed In
( smiles. mi be glad when You are
we'll enough to come back to the OF.
flee. Girls were all right during the
war when we couldn't do any better
bit give me boy in my place Of
business, every time. Now that girl
nho took your position, when you had
70 come out here to the hospital!
she's clever little thing, but. you
know, sometimes, ] actually forget
what am debating because am 20
busy watching the little brown cuTls
around her face and wishing that |
had daughter as pretty. We'll, here
she comes. didn't tell you, did !.
that she asked to come along With
me! Pretty little thing, isn't she?
He beanied in fatherly fashion on
the girl who was walking slowly to.
ward them. Here's Jim, getting as
tit as a fiddle he called to her. '"rhis
Il Miss Mary Sue Lenotr, Mr.. James
s.Icy onDeu. formerly Sergeant Nc.
q Co;snell with the A. E. f. in France"
dim saw an eager, flushed face,
not pretty according to his standard
.pr beauty and slim, boyish straight
BODY. She wore plain little serge
dress and blue straw sailor hat.
x There was no bright color about her
except her cheeks and lips. Jim liked
color and dash, with a ruffle or two
about girl. He had seen enough
B girls IN plain uniforms abroad.
II hope that you will soon be able
to come back to the office, she said
ssoberly.
Jim flashed her a quick look, half
curiosity, half unbelief. He knew that
n McGraw was paying her the same
Ealafy that he himself had received
md that not many girls were making
iuch figures, anywhere. Sure you're
E glad p ne smiled.
Yes indeed" she answered. II
. would like to get out OF the office by
April"
She's on the level, Jim," said Nc
graw, as he left. She's told me the
same thing"
You're making pretty nice salary
for "a girl" suggested Jim, alter M
Graw had gone.
Don't you like the work."
She shook her head, turning to LOOK
\ ont of q window. The magic young
n green of spring hung on the trees like
Z Fragile lacu.
lin leaned forward a little, look
tfigSa at her. He had bottled up person
4 m troubles for SO long that he felt 1t
would relieve the tension to snare
ffhem with another human being.
Mary Sue seemed sympathetic. i
can't hold down a desk job for long
z time, maybe never again. I've develop
y ed nerves. I'd rather have lost a leg,
or an arm" He leaned back In MS
wheel chair, closing his eyes, halt
ashamed Of himself for disclosing his
1. secret. She said nothing and present
3 II lin onened his eyes. She had taken
4 Of the sailor hat and was leaning her
= head inst the ledge, looking away
Il ut the trees. Again Jim felt subtle
Little thread of sympathy between
$thein. The doctor thinks that SIN
Z months on a farm will fix me up Duc
Ldon't know what farmers e1peSl oi
4 hired help, Drawn and muscle! anu
4 rus have to do someth!ng--to hVe.
Mary sue got up, smiling a warm,
friendly little smile at him. There
d afe some pear trees in bloom down
6 tie path. Pm going to wheel you there
ana well plan something together.
once under the trees, Mary Sue sat
I fIown on the grass at his feet. isn't II
lnvaiy iere?" she cried. Look!
1 There,s o whitethroat building her nest
si3f the crotch OF that tree, with the
White f,loom all over Il, like flow'
+ ming vine on tiny cottage. / love
Y lie country. the birds and the flowers,
ffiie. green fields with daisies and but
sfercnus. You'll love 1t. tho when you
lin smiled. mot much" he said.
I Dark old muddy roads, have to carry
An oily, smelly lantern. I'm through
with the dark and candles-had
(. enough OF It in Picardy and FLANDERS;
rats, too! They're always In barns.
) mot our barn! I've lovely plan IoI
Z Won't FISTS Just fate" she lifted her
eager dream.filled gray eyes and Jun
admitted that she was pretty. ! l1ys
I WITH my Aunt Fanny and my Uncie
Sgilas Lenoir. You'll like him. He's
s iitfe he wrote to me only today-Oh.
AIS simply too good to be true-tnat
hey need a young man on the farm
Nils summer and they want me 20 llnu
"A sori1eboiiy7 who was good at figures,
( Who could help him carry out some
olans to improve the stock, to make
he farm nav a maximum amount. You
X 'see. YOU'RE IT! And Aunt Fannie's
booking! It's too good to tax ABOUT
You'll get fat, Sergeant"
s.oh, say JIM" he pleaded, the
shadow on his young face lifting for
The first. time. :.
She clapped her hands, and, as II
,,iefairy.like answer, a little furry Of
Ssnowy pear blossoms sifted down on
her head and shoulders. Mary Sue
imnn,,ed IN and shook the petals from
der hair. Jim timidly reached OUT q
Iong arm and brushed her Slim, blue
Eselad shoulders.
d..Will-o-the.wisp-o .spring!" he whis
Sered. at sounds great, the farm.
Aunt Fannie, Uncle Stand you-but
you'd get tired Of your job. ! can't
let you fool yourself-and me"
Mary Sue moved very close to him.
and her hand found his hand and held
Il, in warm, sympathetic companion
ship, there on the wheel chair. Were
not dreamers nor faddists In the
country" she told him. We're simple
.olk and we feel personal responsi.
bility in our neighbors' welfare. The
I. ,olks in cities live next door to each
other for years and never speak. We
r..