The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-10-12
Dali
Isl 49R! Story
I. Tha Peals
e. a ARlaaA MAcKIE.

6IgkIAhlS6AE mASNIGf
r-sRkRERs. last memory Of his
sister vas q slim gray form
leRaiHR agstnst the white Pill.
lars ol the porch. Her laIge<eyes
Hars stiIi troubled and her fair
face YsFY sad, yiola's trouble was
q 5myHtafY to him-Bhe had always
bseA such 4 gay, irresponsible crea-
tnrs, aud now IN the last five years
she had SobsFsd into woman who
vent about as II her heart was In
seme other world.
He had TacKed his brain to think
~ some reason for her change: ana
when he had a chance TO take
brief vacation he thought OF MS ola
eiess.mRte, Jimmie Ladd, who had
butlt studio In the heart OF the
YiidS and had got been seen by
civilized man for several years.
Old Jimmie. once 4 wizard among
girls, would at least hazard guess
alt wiola's preoccupation.
"Wh 10 deuce are you doing
hereaf ed Jimmy when the
erippea ayers hand. Anything
harpened? Everybody well and
--hsppy?" There was a sudden
Sharpness In his tone.
Travers met the honest scrutiny
OF those brilliant blue eyes. All
we'll" he smiled.
ADVANTAGEOUS sister," Ladd
was bending to caress beautiful
collie.
= very well, thpnkS. No need to
AK you how you enjoy solitude
you're hard, and thin, and rugged
man, you've worked yourself 10
bone"
dWork agrees with me. I'm very
fit these days. There. Sheila, las.
lie, run away-scoot!" He clappcl
as hands and the animal leaped
upon him plaYfully. She belonged
10 my young brother Bob-you
know he went to Flanders never
came back" Ladd'B face was hid
den a moment behind the collie
snowy ruff and then suddenly lift
cd to show the eyes dulled with
pain and the mobile lips grim and
nnsmiling. Funny thing. this life
we ltVe-one loves 1t, glorifles it by
heroic deeds not is snuffed out,
while another who doesn't care a
straw whether he stays on or not
has to fight out his dreary round
Of days"
4 smile crooked the painters
MOUTH. 81 am a cheerful beggar
these days, Van: first time I've
seen you in years. and I'm giving
YOU an impression Of perpetual blue
Mondays. Forget IT,; come sec nT
s8epmp aud have a bite to eat. Then
ISL give you private view Of what
I've been doing lately. Tomorrow
YOU can hunt on fish; today Is mine
10 gloat oyer you."
"0E opurBe knew you had cap.
ttrPd the Wondgel prize"
''Yes.p
"Agd had room to yourself At
the hIe exhibition. 7 couldn't 20.
hut Viola was there and bought one
~ your pictures.
":The Peak BTberc's something
haunting aboHt That picture. Lad.
Isiie: f0 mnCl, snow, gray ice and
I1EHcb bleak distances. Then the
sjagsed white peak rising stark.
alone. with the north wind keen in
IS face, Thiia the sheltered life OF
She valleys below moves on peace
fully, not knowing the bitter
storming Of the peak! 1t is Ike
lonely sman sitting aloof on the ton
of the world ana seeing all that he
loved and hoped for pass by. lt's
heart, breaking! Travers' pleasant
voice grew rough with feeling.
tIts not n bad picture" said
Ladd simply, as he refilled hi.
pipe.
Travers scrutinized his friends
face. The old. happy carelessne5s
had gone. The man had grown biz
and rugged, like the mountains
which he painted: his erect car
rage and the deep cadences OF his
voiue made one think OF vast dis
txnces, OF snow covered journeys,
long winter days amid ice and snc|
barriers, always alone. Ladd had
way OF suddenly withdrawing into
3 chilli silence, aloot from the busy
world he had discarded. Jimmy
E.add was frozen. PerhapS thS
story Travers had to tell OF Viola
would thaw him out-Jimmy and
viola had always heen good friends
and so had young Bob Ladd. A
sudden thought smote him Ike
pang. Perhaps 1t was Bob Ladl
death that had struck the light
from Viola's eyes. But it was not
until the evening meal was over
that Laid awoke Trayers from
Iopg, distracted silence.
ibid you bring your troubles with
YOU. Van?" he asked
drawers nodded, his thin lips
tightening about his pipe stem. u
brought them to you, hoping you
might help. It Isn't financial-that's
aiways been all right" He heslta'
ed. How little could he tell and
make Jimmy understand? He was
incapable Of deciding for himself:
new, and Viola seemed 40 remote
from him-so inaccessible In her
lone sorrow. He wanted to help
her to happiness. st Is nv sis.
ter" he said at last.
viola? What Of herr"
Everything
''I believed her happy always
She married Chalmers"
"she has never married"
''What?n
viola has nevor married, and
she Is always so sad. so unlike her
seIf, that / came to you, man O. the
god to ask Won what might be