The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-22
THE DAHL
SHORT STORY
Unilnportant at A
Wedding
BY RUTH SPENCER

here III Millgille, but there is al
ways something doing around the
holidays, and Murlei. (that was
Fred's cousin Is bringing home q
l9retty roommate, They're both
seniors now. You and Muriel are
OF course, like brother and sister.
bpt You may find Laurel divert
ing. though now you're a young
city lawyer suppose you can
look out for yourself, and don't
rant q sentimental old aunt
matchmaking for you"
Fred Maston wrote back that he
was delighted to spend two or
three days at Christmas with her,
but that she mustn't think that be
needed any diversion save that OF
sshef own, and Muriel's companion
ship I'm q confirmed old bach
flor now. lie wlote, "and there
Rsnlt 4 grain OF susceptibility left
IL me. Fred Mastou was twenty
four.
He was quite convinced that he
really wasn't in the least suscept,
iblo; still, he bore tho name Laurel
pefing in his mind and found hin
self sometimes saying It aloud
laurel was certainly charming
and unusual name for a girl. When
hewent to. some pains buying new
aecessories for his evening clothes
he trked to convince himself that
lie aid, e. for Muriel's sake. ~
i, wouldn't like to have her ASHAMED
of her old cousin he told himself
Iiet interviewed a candy deale:
NJ the city and left few Of hts
cards, in case he should send a
telegraph message ordering five
pounds Of the best bonbons.
HeShad pictured Laurel as Q gitl
With fair hair and dark, deep eyes
1t didn't seem as IL girl named
Laurel could be Of any other type.
Whenihe found her to possess the
bluest OF eyes In connection with
hair SO golden brown as TO be near
II auburn he was surprised, but
not disappointed. OF course, nc
ono could be disappointed with
Laurel Behring'S appearance. Fred
Mastin capitulated at onee--he ad
mitted to himself after that first
evening at his cunts that she. wa!
BY all means tho most charming
girl he had ever seen. He did moi
have to admit this to his aunt. II
was perfectly apparent from his
manner when in Laurel's present.
that he had been completely
charmed. Laurel. on her part, witt
the perfect poise Of 'yirl who ha:
become quite accustomed to beirE
outrageously pretty lsaccsptcts
Freds manifest devotion with .
charming artlessness.
y eHow envy Murlel," she told
hini sNith .wide.open eyes the sec
md day of their visit. ito have q
cousin like YOU. have two OF
l.gfe COUSINS" she said with a
lttle pout, '.but--well, they're
l3tferent, 7" On the strength Of thii
Fred sent a telegram to the city
candy store with an order,
There, was a dance at the coun
try club that second day. Fred
searched out the florist In towr
and ordered flowers for Muriel AMI
Laurel. He let the fact drop to hi
aaEt.
for Muriel," she said. "Tom Rob
lnson Is pretty serious about Muir
Eel, and he'll probably send hel
something. It would be emharrass
ing it she had already received
very much nicer flowers from yor,
OF course we all know that yor
and Muriel could never be inter
ested in each other, but Tom Rob
irson might be Jealous. But I'm
80 glad you ordered flowers fol
laurel. You are to be her escort
you know-such nice GIRL"
So they went to the dance, ant
though It was only a rather unpre
tentious country club dance, Free
admitted TO himself that not ever
atshis own Junior prom had muslt
seemed more intoxicating or dane
ing more; exhilerating. or course
he Shad never danced with a cir
half so beautiful or so graceful al
Laurel. Meantime Muriel and Tor
Robinson danced together as Offer
as he and Laurel, and Fred pu
Tom Robinson down as a very pool
Judge OF feminine charm or a yer,
good actor to show such obvious
preference for his dark.hairedv
dark.eyed, too SLENDER young cou
lsin5
II had been agreed that the
merry.makers should not attemp,
10 rise for the family breakfast
next morning, but Fred woke ur
bySS3 grew restless for another da;
TO begin. dressed and wandered
downstairs. With book in hani
he found q secluded spot In the
music room off the living room.
Presently he was aware that
something was going on In that
living room. There were modulat,
). ed feminine voices and the sound
Of cups and saucers.
Il always get Bridget to bring
breakfast in here before the lIy
Ing room fire. he heard his cousin
saying, when I'm late. The dining
room table has been cleared and
It's no more trouble and SO much
more picturesque"
Everything has been so pic.
ttiresque ever since I came here
came Laurel's enthusiastic reply
Fred peered out from behind the
Wing OF the enormous chair ha
was occupying in the next room
and saw that the two girls wers