The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-31

regard to Wilbur. BE felt Lilo Dan.
iel entering den, hut Wilbur nitiss
be saved at any cost from the peril
that lnrked next door.
He mounted to the porch and
pounded vigorously on the door.
which was opened by a woman OF
perhaps thirty. She was plump and
her hair was done up plainly, ye.
attractiyely. It was nice brown
hair, with beautiful touches OF red
She was not such vampirIsh look.
ing person, but you never can tell.
"My name Is" John began,
more ciyilly than he had intended.
Yes, know" she interrupted
sweetIy. You're my next doot
neighbor. How do You do? Really.
| didn't expect call so soon. But
come right In"
John Ransom wanted to remon.
strate. but he felt himself carried
into the house by a force more ir-
resistable than physical strength.
While he ranted at himself uu.
der his breath for being a weak old
fool, John was ushered through the
hall into the living room. Sof.
words had cooled his fire, and he
had no weapons of attack. He had
forgotten how to deal with women.
he guessed. But he would have.
his say, when opportunity offered.
He found himself deposited In a
most comfortable chair, while the
woman settled herself on the dt.
van. He cleared his throat to give
utterance to his message. but he
found no way to begin. Confound
It! Why had he thrust himself into
such helpless situation? What's
fellow going to do?" he asked
himself helplessly.
Slender fingers smoothed out
the velour of divan cushion.
I'm giving little Sue a birthday
party" the woman announced.
land Of course your son Is coming
Sue likes him so much. Wouldn't
you like to help decorate? And
about the Ice cream-do you thin:
we ought to have plain vanilla or
strawberry"
Before John could get a grip on
himself. he blurted out:
We'll, must confess prefer
ence for strawberry; and I'm sure
the children-"
Some time later. when John Ran.
som returned home, it might have
been noticed that he wore an ornu.
ment unusual for him. It was a
smile.
But the smile vanished when he
discovered a tree.for.all fight TAX
ing place In his yard. AS he en-.
!, tered, Wilbur sent Bill Reed sprawl.
ing on the lawn and then pro.
fceded to lay out Skinny Garrison
and find seat for himself on the
latter's neck. Wilbur grinned tri.
umphantly at his father, but the
father was not enthusiastic.
Wilbur Ransom!" he called.
you get UP Immediately, and you,
Skinney and Bill. you make tracks
about as fast as you can travel
Wilbur. I'm ashamed! What would
Sue Jefferson think? A common
fighter"
But pa the common fighter
protested, standing up and staring
wide.eyed, while Skinny and Bilt
decamped. both crestfallen.
In the library John had recourse
TO his pipe, which he pulled on with
avidity. Wilbur scowled. This faith
er Of his was beyond all under.
standing.
Don't scowl. son." cautioned
John. ut mars you rather-er-'
handsome face. And straighten
your tie. I've been to see Sues
mother, and there's a big birthday
party coming on over there. You're
invited. because Sue likes you, and
so am I, because they need some
body to decorate the house. Son,
YOU need new clothes. How'd yol
like a nice sailor outfit. And
wonder how a brown plaid suit
would look on me-something with
sort OF youngish cut?"
Copyright. 1929, by the Mcclure,
Newspaper Syndicate.)