Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-01-14
Big Happiness
L.-H.' I-.--7T EIka
By VICTOR REDcLiFFE
&C. 1870. we.,ern Newspeper unlon.,

new auto, Respondent In shine. attach
ments and nOiseless progress, ctrcled
past him OIL the dusty country road.
twenty and young man year or two
her senior, nodded crisply. casually,
and Ben knew that he was relegatcd
to immediate forgetfulness.
"Humph!" he said II little restlvely
and good deal hurt mentally. 'thut
was Dolly Nugcnt and Ray Shad-
burnc's new machine has caught her.
Excused. herself last evening from
drive in my plain but old reliable. That
ends another-no, won't say romance,
for it hadn't got that fur-luckily.
Casting up affairs. I'm hcSinnin. to
think I'm not built right for Elsdene
society"
Certainly Ben was suggestive Of
big oversrown boy. hut In no way boor
ish or awkward. He was the envy Of
every amateur sprinter md Oarsman
In the district. His good nature ever
refused to be ruftied. His kind-heart-
edness baflled Indifference. even with
those who did not feel that he was
quite up to date In his notions. Ben
desplsed show and afrectatiOn and ex-
pressed the sentiment frankly. Out
spoken, clear-h:aLcd. clenp.minded,
he offended some, wns feared by 9TH
ers who were not right themselves,
and the girls of Elsdene seemed to
aave u set model Of q to-day" young
nnn that reminded Ben Of dolls and
college graduates.
"Let me see" he reflected as he al
lowed the auto to proceed lcisurely,
ave not made much Of a hit since I
came here. Folks around copy after
the city Eand Srdn In cliques. There was
Alva Lapham. sweet, pretty girl any
one might like. She tried me out and
tired Of me. Wearing my second best
to n concert settled her. Then Wanda
Burt-coQuette all through and simply
had fun with me. Gretn Norris was
after money and my heap wasn't big
enough for her. AS to Dolly, she was
fairly bewitching, but I don't smoke
cigarettes or wear diamond ring or
spend all I've got on show and class,
as they call It, so she has given me
final rundown. Well, somehow feel
more like nm escaped man than dis
appointed one. When marry I want
genuine old-fasi,ioned big happiness
true hearts about me and comfort
rather than luxury"
Ben drove on for an hour or two
simply putting in the time Of n lovely
June morning. He gave q lift to
harefonted lad carrying his fathers
lunch to him In distant field; he
drove n mile away from the regular
road to accommodate rheumatic old
woman, and Mt q little electric railway
station took up a lady, her child and
her satchels and received warm thinks
for saving them n two-mile walk. Then
Ben shifted and smacked his lips and
slowed up rs half mile farther on
he ncarcd a farm house. The aroma
Of appctizing cookery appealed strong
~ to his very human senses. He drove
the machine to Il horse block. leaped
out. and. hat in hand. knocked Mt the
front screen door of q homclike farm
house.
A vivncious, healthy-faccd girl, little
resembling in build and strength the
dainty. delicate dcvotces Of culture and
fashion who had made Ben sick and
tired OF fcmininlty. appeared in an
swcr to Bcn's appeal Mt the old-fash-
Toned knncker. She was all smiles
and dimplcs and seemed to recognize
kindred spirit in the boyish careless
| ae - Of the young fellow who warmed
mp magicnlly to her greeting.
brought o message from my sis.
ter?" she asked directly.
"Why. moi Vino IS your sister, II 7
may ask?" Intercepted the puzzled
Ben.
"Why. saw you deliver her and her
child Mt her home down the road"
"Oh. was that your sister?" 1res-
TONED Ben. "IIapnencd TO pick her up
on hcr way home. Nice lady: bright
little tot. What 7 stopped here for was
n meal. If I can have It. I'm dcs.
pcratcly hungry and that cookery fla-
vor IN the mir halted me. or course.
looking around Mt this well-kcpt place.
! know You don't sell meals"
'Hnt rs ynn showed Kindness ia
Sister Bclla. let me reciprocate, won't
you?' asked Ora I.nrncd.
$50 | can have the meal? won't
forget the favor. Say, It does my heart
good to get into real home. remind
Ing mo Of mother. Let me Just hang
around like hoy on a vacation. won't
you? md Ben had his way. and for
half mn hour sat IN the kitchen.
SOon hO1f a fn1op x,-nrynS,
field came trooDing In and introduc-
t'ons to Zen followed. II appeared
that four families lived within a miles
radius and great group Of relatives
they mnde. unpretcntioua but con-
genial.
"Rp0J big happiness cn,, yo,. .o,,,-'