The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-07
IEHE p
STORY
Concealed Accounts
BY LILY-WANDEL

cepted him. but she was not hap
Ply at all. Reggie did not measure
up to the man of her dreams-
the man she had expected to fall
In love with-and once again, she
felt, had her emotions ruled her
rather than her mind. It irTitated
her to think she had been so weak
\ when her reasoning powers told
her plainly that marriage with
Reggie would be a fiasco.
s. In the first place, Reggie was
who are switched over to any
body's opinion and whose tact and
good nature borders on weakness
& OF character. In the second place,
Lucille's' entire family, and it
was long, rambling one, was
waiting for just such a man to
lean upon. There was a whole
string Of old aunts and unc1es and
cousins who were looking
for free boarding house in
(which to end their days; numer-
! Sous young nephews out of luck,
ready to touch" a half dozen
young. pretty nieces who wished
earn estly to study music or some
thing and had no funds They
ylflattered Reggie, catered to MIN
and filled the parlor the evening
he came to call on Lucille. The
latter watched keeny for the
SD ghtest sign OF masterfulnesst Ia
u Reggie. the least indication to as
esert himself. but she lookeds q
vain.
Then Jim Burns came to town:
@opened sporting goods store and
Cook the populace by storm. AT
EAschurch social Lucille met him
and was fascinated. He was just
the direct opposite OF Reggie: he
made it known at once that ne
k..swouIdn't stand for any non
fsense.': everybody had to give in
Ito him, he was not man to back
down from the slightest opinion
that he might express He was
|.big, fine looking fellow and his
3masterfuIness was like magnet.
Iit also attracted Lucille. She
never forgot the first night he
|Sca1led.
The par1or was filled as usual.
B Ii dine of aunts and cousins beam
ling with welcome and sweetness
and couple of fapper-nieces at
1.-THE piano twinkling alternately
with coyRess and fascinating pert
mess. SIn five minutes the room
was empty except for Lucille ana
Jim. Il don't stand for any
you KNOW, hS 60
smiled in his tyrannical way.
After at when he called the
eparlor was always empty before
was so masterful in the
smallest things Things went ms
sway or stood still. 1t was de-
lightful to see the family put
q firmly IN its place to*be no longer
both cred with :innumerable
Changers on wherever one went.
a couple OF timessswhen Reggieei
called Lucille was out and when
she did receive him he only looked
{ s. her with big, reproachfu1. doggy
aeS-es, but never said word about
S,im's calls. II Lucille pitied Reg
gle it was a pity that bordered on
cont empt Nevertheless, she real
8ized tEat things could not go on for
ever this way-she would have to
make a decision between the two
ut was peculiar that as much as
she admired Jim she had not the
heart to tell Reggie she was through
with him Her reasoning told her
that it was the only proper thing
40 do, that Jim was the right man
FLOR her,Syet the memory of many
( tender moments with Reggie kept
6 her wavering. She was positive
that if she had Jim at her side fac
ing Reggie she would be capable of
making her choice, would have the
strength to tell Reggie to go.
Then again in a gentle mood
her heart swayed toward the even.
od-natured Reggie. and she felt
that she was not giving him a
square deal. She tried TO reason it
out, look at the future in a cool.
practical manner. weigh everything
~, tl
was decidedly in the favor of Jim.
But size had not the courage to tell
poor Reggie.
Then one night after sleepless
hours an idea suggested itself. She
2Fondered that she had not thought
&of%that solution sooner and saved
Zherself these days Of indecis;on
and worry: She would let Jim set
tile the whole affair. She would
invite the two young men for the
same evening. but neither would
and Jim, who would not stand for
any nsonsense, would soon settle
the affair.
The very next morr.'7;g Lucille
telephoned Jim to come mp that
evening, and 10 answered in his
asusual authoritative way that it
had been his intention and he
would be there early.
Then she called up Reggie. He
was delighted to hear her voice;
he thanked her humbly for calling
Z him, but he did not know what 70
say about coming. DO you really
want me, Luci1le?" anxously.
why, of course, Reggie. other:
wise wouldn't have asked you,
she spoke very sweetly-
.bucille! Darling. you make ne
NY happy. I'll be there. -
Vim arrived first. Disposing OF
his hat, he linked his arm through
Luci1le's and led her straight to
a davenport, and once seated, he
kissed her.
"Jimi': said Lucille reproach-
hat