The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-06-13
TIE !.
HORT STORY
You Jusut Can't Tell
Copyright, 1891, BY the Mcclure
Newspaper syndlcate,)


w glanced at the fourth
ssacup;
Margaret Ellis and Diana laugh.
cd. Don't grow excited, George,
said Diana, she isn't your style
al all; looks like the outskirts Of
the smallest town In the smallest
state in tho Union. She is SO EN-.
barrassed II a man speaks to het
that she Is apt TO fall into her tea.
CUP; she Is the one woman in the
world could swear has never had
love AFFAIR"
Margaret here added her voice to
the description. "She bushes In
horrid red spots, too. I'm afraid
sou wont be at all intrigued, my
dear. had to ask hor because
she's Aunt Ssrah's adopted daugh.
Ter and Aunt Sarah stands for all
tho riches OF Croesus."
George Forrest smiled urbanely.
urbanity was one OF his strongest
points. But he thought TO himself:
MAY the good Lord protect me
from society cats like these! For
real humanity give me a nice, kind
bushman Of South Africa or an
hospltable South Sea Islander. I'm
going 10 make, myself SO agreeable
20 this maiden who bushes in
spots and looks like Pokeyille, Del.
aware, that they never can say no
one ey.r flirted with her, at any
rate."
The doorbcll rang at this mo.
ttent and Into the room came the
iglri, Her skirt was too long, her
ears showed, her lips were not
scarlet but natural-all this George
took in at glance. And she
seemed far from her ease when
she greeted Diana and Margaret
Ellis. AS had been predicted. she
blushed violently, and unbecoming.
~ when Diana offered her a cigar.
cite. Diana winked at George, and
George noticed that Miss Townley
saw the wink and that she turned
der face away as /. 10 hide the hurt
expression that spread over II.
Good for you, Miss Townley,"
said he, drawing his chair close to
hers and putting into his gaze the
intensity and "for you alone" lool
which lad made him famous as tho
best little lady killer in New York.
why women think II Is cute TO
haye.a cigarette dangling from their
mouths every minute in the day. I
can't see. lam glad to meet mod.
EN- girl who eau refuse one"
sBnt am not modern girl. I'm
afraid" faltered Miss Townley.
There was something very appeal.
Ing about her, and her eyes really
were rather beautiful when she
locked straight at one. George be.
gan to find the game interesting
And II pleased his sense OF justice
Is see Margaret Ellis and Diana
fall back In their seats in helpless
gnazement,
stBetter and better" smiled he at
her quite unnecessary admission;
"lt You tell me yoG don't 'toddle
III want TO kiss your hand"
81 don't" laughed the girl. And
( when George put his words in ac.
Ton she blushed again, only not
sunbecoEinsly this time.
=, Margaret Ellis smiled somewhat
fEisidly as she watched the scene.
''Don't let Mr.. Forrest deceive you,
Isabel" she put in. you caa't be.
lieye Isabel, she put in. You can't
believe one word he says. you
know. He's AnanIas and Sapphira
rolled irto one-the truth isn't In
him"
Isabel Townley looked quite serI.
ously at Forrest and then back
again at Margaret. well. as on
old gardener UP In the country
used to say, You can't always be
pleasant and truthful at the same
time And he is awfully pleasant,
isn't he?"
George Forrest laughed with a
spontaneous ring 10 his voice that
was not usually heard In the draw.
ing rooms he frequented. The girl
was great-she wasn't dull and she
was so absolutely naive.
You've said mouthful,
queen" he quoted as he took her
empty cup and put 1t down on the
table.
eff you don't toddle and you don't
smoke, what do you do all day?"
asked Diana. She thought she'd
better make some effort to be agree.
able as long as George Forrest was
leading the way. She did wish,
Z though, Margaret had not asked
Isabel today OF all days. She want.
cd Forests attentions herself.
"oh, I'm quite busy with the
housekeeping in the morniuE-or.
dering and all that-and In the aft.
ernoon mother and always go
some place together, driving or to
: the theatre or opera, and In the
evening | play chess with father.
We're chess fans. father and l." she
said, looking at Forrest.
"Jove! that's great" he excIaim.
! ed, real enthusiasm in his voice.
ITS the best game going. We
have a chess team over al the club
! and play wildly every Monday
night" Again George and Isabel
were, conversatioually, alone In the
field.
"HoV splendid! Father taught
mo to play when was only eight
years old, and ever since we've
been the greatest pals. When two
people sit opposite each other at
chessboard, somehow It makes a
difference In age. or in uphringIng,
or In anything else: Just disappear.
don't you think? Mother says dad
and ! are, both OF us, Just celebrat.
ing our seventeenth birthday when
1--WE are at it," Why was II, she won.
dered, that this goodlooking man
didn't frighten her or make her