The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-01
TIE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Belated Ship
sy A. W. PEACH.

"My ship is coming in! Ny ship
is coming int"
= Ted Rayel looked UP from hIS
book at the brighthatred, blue.eyed
sirl who came almost dancing into
the loungins room Of the boarding
house which was more like q real
Nhotne to all tue youag people thcr
As he looked ne felt the old tight.
ening Of his heart that greeted her
appearance. for no loved hor with
all the steadfastness OF his nature.
while Ehs..--
Tied. don't !onk OF me with thn,
oos!iEN looki" she said SUDDENLY.
You arc a good old scout. and you
Know that know IT: and 1t bothers
me when YOU look that
He laughed. IN try to look nu.
man then. Bright Eyes; but what
is this ship you arc talking about"
MY ship Of dreams stupid, o.:
D course! Then taking him for
= granted. as She always had IN a
fay and comradely fashion. she
went on TO tell him that she had
Just received note FROM an Old
friend OF her youth who was com.
ink TO see her, "Hc was my first
love-" She said tnnderly.
but he won't he your last
ssall Tod said with emilio hu;
With meaning.
WHO knows" she answered,
nait waving him a kiss az she wen.
hE1tly and happily out Of the room.
led brooded moment inter the
immortal manner Of puzzled man
oSow, what In thunder makes
beryl take me so for granted?
But what Is chap to do about
ltl Try cayeman tactis hardly,
t9eyre not N my limo. But ! don't
intend that his belated sailor will
mn away With her. oven II he does
comes on helated ship OF
<drsamsl" he unused to himself,
He almost lost his courage that
evening, however, when at a little
1arty where .Doryl winsome and
winning In her sudden happiness,
introduced her old friend and
lover, Norne Acton. Acton was tall
and handsome In a dark way and
beside Beryl's golden charm, he
made q striking picture as the two
estood together.
" was poor balm for Ted's hurs
TO have Berry, introduce him as "a
real pal. HelpIessly, Ted saw the
distance between Beryl and him.
SELF widen as the evening went on
"a long waste OF the gray watofs
Of longing spread between them,
oyer which hor ship Of dreams
sailed from bis sight. As fof Ac-
ton himself, It was plain 10 Ted
that ho on his part was fascinated
by the CHEEKY brightness OF the
girl he had known in early youth.
Acton monopolized her that
week and Ted saw the way tina;
things were going. It was his cus.
tom to llnger about the fireplace In
the loung,ng room late, and she
coming In late after soma evening
With Acton would stop 10 chat
with him. leaving him w'bl she
went still hungrier for her gold
and silver self. Then came the
erening that marked the end.
Il Ho knew from tho momtSINt she
AFtered the door what had happen
e.-the deep rose flush in. no.
eheeks, the soft light In her eyes
told tho tale; aud no stesled him
self for the news.
! Tied, YOU have always been so
good to mo, be happy with mel"
she said gently. II am engaged to
Verne"
While the castles OF his own
dreams vent to :mash aroundShis
ears, lie said quietly, 81 am happy
with you and for you; and l hope
oIou will be all the years"
Y She looked at him curlously. u
sudden mist in her eyes, and swift
lySwent ont.
Tho next day, she came to him
hurrledly in distress. Tied.
Tanned my engagement ring in
my chiftoher-twistod the pronHs.
Verne Is kind of funny about such
things-said he paid a big price
for II; won't you hustle out and
have it tixed for meg"
II suro Wilt" he said quickly,
and out he went, hurrying up the
avenue to the store where n
friend worked, who took the ring