The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-09-28
THE DAILY
SHORT STO'R
AS a Thief in the Night
BY MARTHA mecuLLocA.
~ WILLIAMS :

Janet started slightly as the gate.
l1teh clicked behind her. She was
halt way up the clean brick walk
who could be following 30 close
pehtpd? Turning square about she
saw q man, tall and finnish, stoop-
ing q little from the weight Of
tntngs swung over his shoulders,
Eho halted as she faced him, ask
ing uncertainty. Are you Mrs.
spancy? And did you get my let.
Z am not-I did not" Janet an.
swered imperatiyely. MY name is
Ross, but I live with Mrs. Dancy.
10 letter has come from anybody
within the last three days. know
because take the mail from the
box.;
the man gasped faintly-he was
breathing hard, as though spent. 81
might have guessed as MUCH" ne
said. There was nobody to meet
me, but / Numbered on; tell me,
please, what l had better do"
sit down first-anything else
depends. Janet answered YEARLY.
She had burdens enough already
without taking on those OF stran-
ger. She noted amid the heterogen.
Gus burden he thankfully dropped
folding easel, sketchbook and
sundry odd.shaped parcels. in ad.
diton to a fine leather bag, much
seutfed and plastered half over
with lyart-colored labels. He slump
Cd palpably on the bench placed in
The curve Of the path where the
Grape myrtle shaded 1t. Before she
had settled what to say he went
on: y was advised to come here
climate and quiet and that sort Of
thing, you know. I'm not exactly a
tramp, but when you're Just out
atter six weeks In hospital you're
pretty much all In"
Naturally Janet commented.
You would like to stay here a
Z. As long rs my money will let
me-, the newcomer broke In. my
name is Loudon-not that It mat.
ters-I sketch and draw thighs, for
illustrations, you know. Jimmy
Burton sent me here; he is kin to
Mrs. Dancy-"
7 know" Janet in turn inter-
rupted. That being the case, am
sure you can stay. AT least until
you are strong again-she is very
hospitable. Wait here, l will send
her 70 you; you can set things
straight quicker face to face"
BY such means Fate set Joseph
Loudon down in the softly scent
ed summer foothills. where every
day had its own charm miracu-
lousy unlike all other days. The
sun was the miracle worker.
helped by clouds and winds and
mists. Rose-red dawns followed
others to the clearest azure,
stormy sunsets, riotously colored,
supeTyened after mornings SO per.
feet the weatherwise foreknew
their treachery. Pine scent came
in hot gushes from the back
ground mountains, ever looming
enchanted. And all about was the
still yet pulsing life Of the coun-
stTy-side, inhabited fully but nc
where crowded. An oasis Of con-
tentment 1t seemed to Loudon-
he was so wearied OF strange
tongues, strange cities, the stir
9nd clash OF changing human
Irides. Here there was neither pow
serty nor riches. Rather a spare
yet thrifty plenty, exhaling the
ssholesome perfume Of rest after
labor and joy in morning light.
Mrs. Dancy. plump, silver
haired, motherly, had taken him
almost literally to her heart. He
bettered magically under her
cherishing, accepting 1t so CRATE
fully he could but wonder how
Janet Ross managed to hold IL
aloof. A queer girl, he decided;
not handsome nor brilliant, yet
with potentialities. At first ne had
set her down as machine-made-
the type ground out in myriads
BY the mill of school and college.