Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-09-30
SARA'S OIL STOCK
By II. LOUIS RAYBOLD.
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CNCNCNTnTLN IN<NIs

to'HiHS tue Key III HE old lock. That 3
over lie swung down the trim, box
ho:dered path. out through the sag
slnG gate, and along the elm shaded
dirt road that led to the railroad sta
ton.
SO intent was he on catching the
afternoon train to the city that he
Jailed to notice the slim girl coming
up just behind him, and she, at his
disregard. merely sighed without
Quickening her pace to overtake him.
She sighed because it was, in all prob
ability. the last she would ever see of
John Chester.
Nor did she need the For Sale"
sign which John had just tackled up
To Know what for days had been town
gossip-that the last OF the Chesters
had rejected the manner Of living Of
MS fathers and was going TO the city
to seek his fortune. But, because Of
1t. she sighed.
Not that there had ever been
love affair between them.
AS the days passed. the sign Of the
shattered old Chester house, fast show
ing signs of unoccupancy, grew to
trouble Sara. The farm, unsold and
untenanted. was running down. This
TACT, coupled with reports which drift
ed back from the city that John Ches-
ter's fortune was proving elusive, and
that he was shifting from one job to
another. tormented her with a sense
OF the waste of good material and Of
her own impotency in the matter.
Came sunny day in late March
when Sara cast Il bombShcll ut the feet
of the aunt with whom she lived.
Aunt Julie" she gave out casually
over her cup Of tea, I'm going to
spend next weekend in the city"
"Sura:" her aunt's voice was star
tied. "Of all things, Sara"
Yes. that's just what I'm going to
DO returned Sara unperturbed. And
1urthcrmore-do you remember those
oil stock certificates that Cousin Jenny
left me! Well. I'm going to tuke
them along. Who knows, perhaps
they're not as. worthless as I've
thought them. Just SUPPOSE" and
her blue eyes grew dreamy, perhaps
they will bring me my fortune
Now 1t happened that several days
after this conversation there walked
into the outer Office OF Whi,by &
WhltDy, brokers, shabby looking
youth with tired lines about his eyes
and mouth. 4 sound OF voices from
the Inner office assured him that his
employer was occupied, and sitting
down at dingy desk he rested his
head on his hand while his thoughts
Travelled backward over the discourag-
ing months. Where was he headed?
This all but questionable firm in whose
employ he was at present held out
no future for. him. Little by little,
taught by bitter experiences, he had
ienrned how untitled he was to COM
pete with men trained for their Jobs
Into his meditnt!ons crept memo
ries of home, of green fields titled by
his father and his grandfather and
his grnndfather's father, Of Substan-
tial barns, of the CHEEKY homely
dwelling. And with those visions
arose persistently the picture of q
certain slim, blue-eyed person, the
playmate Of his boyhod, whom, in
his feverish pursuit Of fortune. he had
all but forgotten.
John Chester sat suddenly upright
Who in thunder was in the inner Of
fee talking with old Whitby?
ives, | hopcd.' Went on plain
tive voice that awuke in him IL
sudden, tremendous response, "to real
lie something Oh this stock. You see,
/ have a chance to make q splendid
Investment. I can buy the old Ches-
ter place back home. 1t is Il farm
farned for generations by men who
knew how to husband the resources Of
the soil. But If these certificates are
worthless, as you say"
And then followed the Suave tones
of his employer. Just SO much
waste paper, my dear young lady. Too
bad"
A moment later the door opened
and John, risen to his feet, met the
level, blue-eyed gaze Of Sara Cary.
"I-why, why, Sara" was all he
managed. Then: "Wait--let me walk
way with you"
For several blocks through the
streaming late afternoon traffic of
which neither was aware. they walked
silently. Sara was the first to speak
John" she said gently, "the-the
bluets are up In the swamp piece.
And Dutchmen's Breeches. Remem.
Der how we 3sed 10 go after them?"
"Do II" exclaimed John feryently.
Then he turned impulsvely. "Sara ="
he cried, "I'm--Tm sick of 1t all
the hurry. the noise. the crowds. I'm
oh, Sara, I'm going back home!"
But not until their very wedding day
did John learn the real secret of
Sara's trip to the city 81 can't bear
to think" he had chshced TO say as
they stood for q moment side by side