Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1920-08-24
THE HAND OF FATE
BY HILpA MORRIS.

/ felt bored with SO many things 70 do
| busting. cleaning, sewing. all the tasks
demanded by the care Of her brother
Toms new house But she was bored.
Sirls Of twenty-five want more than
household tasks 10 dream OF. and more
than blank gray landscapes 70 look
OUT upon.
/ Toms house was new and attrac-
tive one. built at the very edge Of 8
new addition
ClSsy stopped to lean upon her broom
and wipe away tear as she gazed out
1T the Fat prospect II only some
thing would happen. Anything 20
break the monotony She strained her
eyes 10 look down the road that led
toward the city. If someone would
even drive past Il would be something.
And she looked as she saw the faint
speck of an approaching automobile.
I II was miserable day TO be abroad.
| the roads were deep with mud and
pnddIes But the low yellow racer
/ came on al good pace, apparently
disregsrding anything so trivial as the
/ weather.
-Why, it's Morton Sims carr Clssy
said aloud 10 herself. 4 wonder what
he's doing cut here
Morton Sims was the brother Of
Toms nancee. Cissy had met him once
or twice in town
He got out and pulled and pulled; he
/ got in again and tried TO override
Fate: he got behind and tried TO push.
but the car stuck fast Cissy watched.
In a growing fiutter OF interest and
determination.
IF he can't get 1t out" she muir
INJURED TO herself. perhaps he'll want
to come in here TO phone or something.
I ought TO ask him to- Very shyly
she opened the front door and called
to him
@You seem 10 be stuck she said
Would you ike to come in and phone
for another car TO pull you out7'
~Why, Miss Morrow = he exclaimed.
turning from his inspection Of the yell
low car. Il didn't know thar you lived
here. Yes, do seem 10 be stuck fast,
and should ike to use your phone,
IL you don't mind"
The phone was in the hall, and Cissy
6utered back 10 the fire while he used
IT.
They can't send ont another car for
an hour or So" he explained. Il don't
want 70 be 8 nuisance. Miss Morrow.
I'm afraid"
~Oh. you must stay here by the fire y"
she exclaimed quickly. You look
soaked through now. Why do you
drive on such an awful day any
how
He laughed a little bitterly.
Because / was bored This Is a hol-
iday, you know, and the Office is closed,
and my rooms are awfUlly bleak and
gloomy on a day ike this. A fellow
gets lonely sometimes"
| yes, I know" she assented quickly,
and then there fell an odd silence be
/ tween them
/ "You have a pleasant place here,
ne commented SITS Toms. suppose.
Christine has told me about il, but I
never knew exactly where it was.
Christine is awfuIly in love with your
bEother."
-0f course Who wouldn't beT she
laughed back. "And Tom is swfully in
love with your sister. too. And 50
am L.
I'm sure youu get on together"
"Oh. res. but shan't stay with
them. II wouldn't be right Young
married people ought TO have their
homes to themselves. shall 20 away
/ @WhereE- he asked. as if Il were a
matter Of vital concern to him.
"oh, I don't know get To be a
nurse, perhaps, or a teacher"
/ Gssy's eyes were on the fire. and
she did not know that he was watch
ing her, noting the little culver Of her
chin as she spoke.
@Oh. wouldn't do that" he urged
a little awkwardly. Nurses have an
awfuIly hard time, and 1 can't imagine
you as q teacher. There's just one
thing that you ought 10 do. and that
is
~WhatT Cissy thought she knew
what he was going TO say. and her
color deepened.
you ought TO be keeping q house
OF your own, and making it look ike
this one You ought 10 be married"
"Oh. OF course" she laughed That
T. - - vs-Is
Yes. but you are. different. You
haven't known me very long, CSsy. but
have felt. ever since that day that
Christine first introduced Us. as though
ksd known you from the beginning Of
time. I've watched you everywhere.
I've dreamed about you. and-yes. even
written poetry that I didn't have the
courage 10 send And I've asked
Christine so many questions that she
thinks Tn eaten up with curiosity. !
guess there's no use trying TO conceal
II, Cissy; I'm in love with ron. / have
been for long time
Cissy could not look away from the
fire; her eyes were too full OF mist and
wonder for even him 10 see them She
spoke in g strange. trembling voice
that, for happiness. she should not
have recognized as her own
How very strange" she said. BE
cause because I've felt the very same
way about your
And outside. In the rain. the yellow
car sank deeper into the mud that held
II like the strong OBTAINING hand Of
Fate
Copyright. 1919. by TIE Mcclure News
paper Syrdicate1
A man may be slow and sure, but
| lbs different with = clock