The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-04-08
TIE DAILY
sdORT STORY
TER MIxUP in MEN

him and made him sit beside her
in her high-priced. brand.new
roadster. He was positive he had
never seen her before and because
shetseemed to think she knew who
he was. And, aIsof he knew she
had made q mlstage because she
started at once calling him George.
But Ernie didn't care much
the girl had made q mistake Of
not, She was Z tremendously pretty
and attractive, the day was soft
and baimy-a freak day In winter
time-and he was Just In the mood
for an adventure
Its awtllly important-awfully''
the girl had told him. II have to
have help and-and@
! looked helpfuI?" suggested
That's it, said the girl, looking
at him with big blue eyes that
were shaded by long, silky lashes.
Ernie felt his heart thrill ut
this. 1t had been a long time. a
long, long time since he'd been SO
thrilled by a girl.
You ought to tell me your name
and-what It is you want me to
do" declared Ernie, as they swept
through the city out upon a mac,
my name?" echoed tbs ain,
my names Grace-Grace Jena-
ings. You've heard OF me?"
How could l help it," cried
Ernie although. he'd never heard
Of her in his life.
Il knew you would have heard
OF me" Grace went on. "As you
say, you could hardly have helpeo
It. And the thing / want you to
do, oh"-she looked at him with
sudden, honest distress-"I wish
weren't in this at ALL"
Ernie looked at her sympathet-
ically.
rs it as bad as that he quer,-
The girl nodded vigorously.
Now that I'VE met YOU and
seen you, it's so very much
harder" she confessed in a harass.
ed tone OF voices
Whereat Ernie wondered i'm
mensely. How in the world could
the fact that she had. met HIM
make things harder for her?
I'm eorry," said Ernie solicit
ously. Perhaps things would be
easier for you II you were to drop
me there and let me stop soma
other motorist and get him to take
mo back"
A perfect panic OF fear swept
over Grace's face at this,
NO. mol" she cried. THAT
wouldn't do at all. No. I've got to
go through wlth,it now that I'm in
1t. But l wish I weren't In 1t, /
really TO. George. You'll remem-
Der that about me, won't you ar.
ter it's all over?"
Ernie gazed at her In intense
surprise. Why was she so sorrow
full and pathetic about It? And
what was she getting him into.
anyhow? The mystery was grow.
ing deeper all the time.
"tll remember that you are
charming aud pretty and adorable,
no matter what happens!" cried.
Ernie, with a sudden access OF fel-
vor as he gazed into Grace's beau
tiful pleading eyes.
Grace blushed at this and turn
ed her head away abruptly.
II don't know why in the world
l ever consented to do it." she
murmured. IF Id only met you
beforehand 1t would have been 81.
different. Then I'd never have
been in this mess, George
The girls distress was SO very
evident that Ernie came to a sud
den decision.
IF that's the way you. feel about
t." he declared suddenly. aIll soon
get you out OF your trouble. I'll
leave you here and nowi"
Rising in his seat Ernie made
ready to leap from the car. But
before he could do so Grace step.
ped on the accelerator hard and
the machine lenped forward at
such a speed that It would have
been suicide for Ernie to shaye
leaped.
Don't do it! Don't leave mel"
cried the girl. THAT would simply
make things worse than ever.
Ernie relaxed In his seat and
looked at the girl 'curIously. VINO
did she think he was, anyhow.
Had he best tell her his real iden-
tity?
After considering this last
question for a moment or so Ernie
decided to postpone the time for
revealing his true name. And the
main reason why he came to this
decision was that he felt he would
lose the girl the minute she knew
he wasn't George"
81 won't leave you," said Ernie.
finally, until you tell me to. 1
won't leave you ever until you tell
me to-"
At the feryor In his voice and
at this statement the girl looked
around at him startled: Her cheeks
were flushed. her eyes sparkling.
you don't mean thatir she
cried, 1T is simply impossible that
you could actually mean what you
are saylngI"
TITS not impossible. / do mean
It" retorted Ernie, stoutly. You've
heard OF people falling In To-, that
is learning to- like people very
much at the first time they've seen
them, haven't your
Yes" said Grace. "but 1t Is also
lutely impossible that you could
actually mean Il. You are simply
trying to make me feel bad. You've