The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-08

with his brothers tobacco, poked
the embers, threw on a fresh log
and sat down to enjoy all the com.
forts OF a home that was not his
I own
!, This comfort he enjoyed alone
tor an hour at 1880 he heard a
knock at the front door and opened
1T 10 SEE Grace Hayes In day
clothes with an overnight bag In
hes hand.
Y thought you'd be at the dance
she said with come hauteur and
come apology.
No. urawled James, assisting
Grace off with her wraps and seat
!ng her in second easy chair be.
side the fire. II can't stand the
pace. ] said l might come. but II
vas only for an excuse TO spend
the night hero. How these married
people want to CAD about as they
dol can't seo,, with a home like
this-.haYe a otuller and an ap.
ple,p no interrupted pointing 10
the outlay ON the table. Gee, Il I
lad q lit 10 house like this and
wife, believe me Id stay at home!
But then we'rc different. Since
the war fellows have known how
70 appreciate q home. But that
older married set-all they think
Of Is excl, ement, todl,ng and jaEs
and all&that sort OF thing"
Grace looked wistt1ily into the
tmes know" she said. "Girls
are different now. They are more
serious. .
There was long and rather
Painful pause. Then James Glea.
son bent toward Grace, who was
sitting up straight in her char.
Grace won't you marry me?"
No" Grace said, still very wist.
fil and she NODDED her head slow.
" and looked into the fire. II think
would marry you IL I married any
lone, Jimmy, but I'm afraid OF mar.
riage. II seems to change people
so. I'm AFRAID that once / was
married I'd be like your sister ii,
Flaw. And you might change about
and be as mad about dancing and
Seitement as Tom. I'd rather 70
ON dreaming about a home than To
nave q home OF my own and not
appreciate It."
Il was james turn to look visit
fully in the fire and shake his head
Isadly He had been pleasantly
Isurprised to hesr Grace say that
alie would marry HIN 'if she. mar
lried an yone. That WIS somethinY
Of q comfort
Y get your point Of Wow.
Grace he said. at would bs
ffightful 70 find yourself In a home
,Eisse this, for instance and not aps
s,resiate It or % be- married to the
girl you loved and find her qnwill-
aug % stay home for a quiet,
3aysning. I'd be sorry for Tom, only
y think he Is as far gone as Mabel.
Another pause ensued: Couldn't
We get engaged and see how that
affected usr
Thai would be a trial engage.
I1ent,s Grace looked q little shock.
Cd. aNo, Jimmy, I never intend 10
he engaged except to the man !
marry When I do get engaged l
want TO be married very, very soon.
Won know, I take those things 90
sefionsly; think all tho girls in.
r,sar setsdo. They are SO different
IN the older girls like. Mabel"
The matter seemed settled. For
n few minutes they sat and ex.
changed q few remarks about the
weather and plays they had or
HADN'T seen. Then one or two Of
he twins walled out from the
fioor aobve, and Grace, with Tom
il her wake, fled 70 the nursery,
They were busy executing requests
tor drinks Of water when Tom and
Mabel let themselves In the front
door below
The twins again tucked dutetlJ
ii their adjoining cribs. Jim and
Grace CROPPED their way In the dark
upataifs hall toward the stairs.
jim held Cruces arm very close u
his side; so that she would not
stamble They heard the voices OF
Tom and Mabel below and they
hesitated TO lis en-.
We'll; we're back again to home. 1
sweet home said Tom. He was
Sitting 81 the char Just vacated 81
lanes and Mabel was In Cruces
chair. .1a1ne and Grace went
|uoiseiessly down 10 the landing
lwaere lhey could see them. Then