The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-12-06
4 THE DAILY
SHORTSTOR
fhe Road Toward Home
NHB great Circular lunch conE
o. tLARIaaA MAcklE

49,
ter n the railroad station
was q busy spot at all times,
tit thete were breathing spells"
After the heavy express trains
from the East and West had pull
ca out and the lunch counter set
! tied down to its routine OF serving
the scattered Travellers and even
toWnspeoble, who liked the we'll
cooked food and the swift service
One October day altar Priscilla
Fair had been there two months.
and waB counted the most rapid Of
all the def mattresses, there cams
81 sudden, unexpected rush OF Gus
toners that filled the stools TO the
last nj PLEASE take That one
for me, Pris," begged fat Annie
Hardy, as she numbered past with
a plate OF clam chowder In one
hand and a brfmming cup OF cot.
zee Ia the other. She nodded TO.
ward the last stool at the circular
counter, the one next to the CROSS
counter. Priscilla nodded and Flip-
he'd around the shining urnS aud
faced the waiting customer.
She saw 4 pale faced man with
@dogged eyes, who. stared first at
her, then down at the menu IN his
hand. When he lifted his glance to
her again his eyes were not dog
ged nor skind nor anything. Just
cold and Indifferent as becomes a
stranger. "
Priscilla was chilled. Most men
and many women looked at her
delicate prettiness with kind eyes.
She had a warm, friendly smile,
Though acquaintances never devel-
4 oped beyond passing greetings Of
1.-THE day That girl is a r~ecluse:!"
ante Hardy had burst out one
&y-but while We are describing
Priscilla, the strnnge young man
ID waiting hungrilly for his order
TO be taken.
Well, prompted Priscilla at
oh" he started. looked at her
and rubbed his eyes. Bacon and
eggs and coffee he said curly
While she was gone, he read a r3Al-
road time table. He was still
FShuli8 ~ WHs4l SHe IeLuIHeu VIII
the food which she placed before
him.
you are reading it upside
down. she said softly.
Reading what?N
1.-THE time table,
oh Elancipg at it and thrust.
1t into his pocket. thank YOU.
you're welcomr-Eofng ava?
again Eoon??' she asked %iStfully.
"Tonisht:' briefly. Sugar.
lp!esse.
Priscilla pushed the sugar bowl
tdwArd him and tore = check out
m the bunch at her waist. Any.
3lttng else?"
What have YOU got that's
aSf?"
Apple pie"
'1Sure?"
made it,"
.'sAll riEht-lN take a~chanCe
s'd~ing!y.
Hsiscilla went away. The conn
ters were growing empty. She
6esed ,7Hie and tied. Annie
caught her arm. You're all in
syhEneS, sara inc NI1u'E 9o"''
take care OF your order there and
Keen your tip
So-no cried Priscilla ticrre-
liz iii sec to him"
Annie laughed shrewedly' "Rnn
alonS, Prts; tfrSt time Y" eyer
seen you notice 2 Man--heS l"Si I"
plain farmer ANT he?"
1t was a pale smile that Pr's'
ctllR threw oveH her shoulder as
she bore q large piece OF fresh ap,
Dle pie to the stern young man az
4the counter. She was glad that
Murphy; the proprietor. had agreed
to try one Of he rapple pies aud
Rince then she had earned extra
money by making pies for the
counter. Murphy's Lunch was IA
nous for It's homemade apple pins.
After he had eaten the pie, Prts.
xSilla punched the check and laid
1t beside his plate. then she began
10 remove the soiled dishes. :
Wait" he said abruptly.
Priscilla waited, her eyes dark,
sexpectant.
.Have you been here long," he
wanted to know.
TTwo months"
R"Where did you learn to make
annie nies$"
.,aJ 80 bnu :"