The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-03-24
THE Dali Y
SHORT |. STORY
! 5000 Kernansha.
81 az 3. eAkER

ders back, twirltng cane.
Armen's black eyes followed the
3 other until he arrived at a bazaar
near the end OF the block. The doctor
did n6k enter the bazaar. Instead he
passed through doorway which open
go on stairs giving access to rooms
over the store.
Armen was not angry. He Just felt
SAD; or rather, he was plain Jealous
For he knew Azaad was calling on
Ara1ia Altoonjtan, whose father was
proprietor OF the bazaar and whose
home'was above 1t:
Slowly Armen walked toward the
back of his store, traversing its en-
tire length with few steps; because
u was only niche. It appeared that
the construction Of the various build.
ings on the street had been started at
tiler end OF the block, and that they
+ had failed to meet In the middle. III
order to avoid wasting space, little
coop OF a building ten feet high and
twice az wide had beon fitted between
the two walls. For space WAS exper-
stye ON the Midway OF this Lake
Michigan summer resort.
The contents Of tho coop, however.
ripaled that OF many largo bazanrs in
intrinsic value for In was filled with
Persian rugs, 30 full that Armen found
worried pacing'of the floor,
Armen's means OF livelihood was
against him IN his campaign for Ara
Ssia's heart Araxia favored the pro-
LESSONS when 1t came to husbands.
In her opinion, ceiling rugs was mem
ial existence, Armen, however, could
not bring himself to 'dissociate his life
from the business he had always
known and which his fathers had
followed before him. He loved rugs.
and he knew them as an artist knows
colors.
ne could not understand anybody's
resisting the charm Of the magnificent
handwoyen fabrics which seemed to
diffnso an atmosphere OF enchant-
ment from the mysterious East.
As he paced the floor, Armen stop
ped now and Their to caress one Oh
his beloved rugs which he had hung
from the ceiling upon rows OF
them. This scheme of display was
not satisfactory, but It was the best he
could devise In his cramped quarters
II love YOU" he whispered to the
rungs. Next to Araxia and my moth
er, far away IN Armenia, ! love you
bestp
Finally he seated himself at the rear
OF the store and concerned himself
with reflections on his ttnrequited love,
He hoped no customers would appear,
because he wanted to think Of things
more ethereal than business. His
sales this week, already had Melted
him 1000, and that was sufficient.
Armen was accommodating neat sum
in the bank.
Or. Azaad Boyatian was the ny in
Armen,s ointment. Before the other
came back from college with his de-
gree Armen had been making progress
In his love affair in spite Of AraMas
averrton to his occupation. He had
Almost persuadeI her that the rug
business was art, and she had even
promised to look over his assortment
some day.
Then DR.. AGAR came home and
spoiled everything. He liked Araxia,
and he was a professional man. He
opened an office and set out after
practice, This came slowly; in
fact, the doctor appeared to be hav-
ing little more than no success. But
this had mo effect on Arazia's admira.
tIon. He was professional man,
which twas better to be, even though
financial failure, than a rug mer-
< chant, no matter how successful. Be-
,sides, Azaad was handsome and strong
Albeit she had very excitahle nat
tire, which Araxia excused as tcrnpera-
ment Arrnen himself had rather
attractive physiognomy. but he was
short OF stature.
So things began to go against Ar
men. Instead OF calling twice each
week on Araxia, he was allowed to
see her but once, while the doctor
went three nights-and they ware not
professional calls. Then, before long,
Armen was left out entirely, for Araxa
always found some excuse when he
askeddf he might call.
Only yesterday Araxia had been in
vited into the rug shop when she was
walking on The other side Of tho street.
She had grgdgingly consented to en-
ter the coop and had looked over the
rugs not only without enthusiams,
meanor. Armen had fairly raved to
her about new Kermansha which
had Just become a part OF his stock,
but she had thrown cold water on his
fervor with the remark:
ooh, sure, Armen, it is nice to look
at, but one of those (pointing to sew
eral hanging near the back OF the
store) would be Just as good to walk
ON. Ypu can't talk rugs to me, Ar
men, I've seen so many that I hate
them, and. when l have home it will
have bare floors or old-fashioned car
pets"
This made Armen tear his hair, H.
guratiyely. The Kermansha was
worth $500, while the those" referred
to by Araxia would not bring mora
than 800 each.
Then, with polite sarcasm Araxia
began ridiculing Armen and his rugs
until he reached the boiling point and
was glad when she left. She would
not receive another invitation to look
at his precious stock, he resolved. Yet
his love did not diminish, in spite of
L..