The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-26

have my own particular reason fos
wanting to earn my own way this
winter"
So in a day or two it was bruited
about through the fraternity and
finally all about the. campus. that
Malcolm Gimson had lost his lnon.
ey but was taking it like a brick
and not saying how it happened.
Meantime he moved away from the
frat house. went back only for the
weekly meetings and was looked
upon as "darned good sort to
be willing TO take housework job
rather than chuck college entirely.
Meantime Malcolm Crimson fell
more deeply and deeply in love.
He decided that the time to tell
the charming Emma of his senti-
ment was at his junior ball. By
Christmas he had asked her if she
would goGto the ball with him and
was infinitely relieved when she
accepted with the entire approval
-of her mother.
Then came telegram from
Malcolm's uncle and guardian,
Roger Smith, who<had apparently
decided to travel five hundred
miles to visit his nephew 1t was
disturbing and Malcolm did not
conceal from the Ginner family
that he was disturbed.
81 m asking an enormous favor"
he said to Mrs. Ginner Hell be
here only a day-while he is here
would you mind letting me pre-
tend that am boarding here, not
working? I'll explain it all some
time" Mrs Ginner agreed, but
later was puzzled over the re-
quest. If the uncle believed that
the boy were not working then it
must be that he had enough
money sent him to make it unn ec-
essary; il he had the money. what
did he do with it? Perhaps he
had lost money bling or some
thing and was working to pay a
debt of honor 1t was too much
for the easy-going Mrs. Ginner. So
she kindly asked Malcolm to in
vite the uncle to family dinner
at which every one, including MI.
Ginner himself, would be primed
to treat Malcolm like a paying
boarder.
IA But something very unexpected
happened at dinner that night
Mr. Ginner recognized in Roger
Smith his very dear, old college
friend.
.<If L dknown that my nephew
was boarding with the family of
my old friend, how happy I should
have been"
"You certainly ought to be con-
graduated on having nephew
willingly work his way through
college even wren he has no mon
ey,'' said Mr. Ginner.
Works his way!" exclaimed
MT. Smith, and then there had to
be explanations. Mr.. Ginner had
forgotten for a moment the in
structions of his wife.
Then all eyes turned on poor,
embarrassed Malcolm.
well. now the cats out of the
bag laughed the uncle, why
don't you tell US why you did it?"
Malcolm looked very intently at
Emma and Emma blushed.
! Because said Malcolm, look
ing first straight into the eyes Of
Mr.. Ginner and then at his uncle,
because the first time came, on
, an errand for friend of mine. |
decided that I wanted Toto
take Emma Ginner to the Junior
ball
WANTED to take her to the
Junior ban.' Knocked the uncle
good naturedly- why QOn you
be frank and say you decided you
wanted to marry her?"
There was a little startled cry
! from Emma and a gasp from Mr..
Ginner. That is what I might
have said, sir" said Malcolm very
solemn1y. Then therewas an awk-
ward silence and then dinner pro-
gressed and every one was very
merry
That evening a little later NAL
colin went on his acustomed trip
to the collar to tend fires, and
Emma following his whispered
injunctions, went with him.
Standing inS>the coalbin together
they plighted their troth, and five
minutes later back in the family
living room craved their families
blessings