The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-06


loot 10 the stcaminr tub oil water.
eondefins misty how shc had
done < % quickly BE feit her
fingers cool and agile bindins bis
ankle tightly With Something she
drey from her tiny knapsack. and
then he dozed pleasantly away.
It was a delicious odor that wax.
ened him, the rich smell OF boil.
Ing coffee, and Us he sat up and
smiled the air no saw her come
Into the room airlly, carrying
tray balunceI On one hand while
she poised a coffee pot N the
other.
Think you can take a little
nourishment" she asked with a
glenn in her brown eyes.
Dick opened his eyei, toasted
bread and bacon, coffee and scram.
bled eggsi He wondered II he were
seeing things. In the most matter.
of-fact way his companion spread
place for him on the table and
dragged 1t over to him. He
watched her with wondering eyes.
What was this remarkable child,
q cook or a witch?
He fell TO without a word, and
not until the last broiled bacon
sandwich was consumed did he
lean back Will sigh OF content.
I've eaten meals" he began
gratefully, but / never"
Then he saw the CLEAN in her
brown eyes something between
mockery and deviltry and he
stopped short
4"I say, I'm awfully sorry"
What for?' she asked slrlly.
For thinking you rapper."
he answered.
Her cheeks famed poppy red, she
tossed hack her short curls. But ]
am, and proud Of it," she threw
back at him. But just because /
am a flappcr and wear knickers
and bob my hair and dance until
dawn, do you think that's all | cad
do? Oh, know, you're that horrid
friend Of Jim's, who's bored 60
death at flappersl AS II they were
some kind Of insect Of other. Don't
you know they're Just the same as
old.fashioned girls, except that theJ
dare more and do more and thing
more?" she blazed.
Then she caught up the tray and
dashed out OF the room.
Dick was smoking very hari
when she came back again.
He looked at her curlously, as
though he had not seen her before.
Now he saw her eyes were almost
bright with tears and she was bit.
ing her lips to keep them from
trembling. Her cheeks had curve
that was babyish, and her lashes
were long enough to curl.
Getting dusk" he said briefly.
Don't think you'd better stay. No
chaperon-"
He heard a little laugh like 4
brook bubbling over a stone.
I'm not afraid OF \ duskl" size
gurgled.
1t was cool in the mountains at
night. She knelt and laid logs 90
the hearth, and Dick watched the
slender kneellng figure. watche I
the flames come up magically and
curl about the wood. How clever
che was! How self.reliant! How
fearless!
She must have read some Of his
feeling In his eyes when she ,stoai
up. for she said SUDDENLY. Live
got to 90. I'll come up in the morn.
Ing and got your breakfast. I'm
STAYING at the foot Of the hill. Good.
4 blush had crept clear up 10 her
mop OF ,curls.
Dick was still smoking when Jim
pushed open the door late that
night.
Heard you had a fall. old chap.
Some flapper rescued you," Jim
began.
Dick sat up and growled out, 'GBe
careful what you say there, old
man! Not a flapper. but the girl
I'm going to marryl" but to himself
only he added, please Cod"
(CopyriGht, 1927
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