The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-06-08

IS here, Mary, ana I'll drive
- around to the barn and
unhitch.''
Quickly the girl picked up her
suitcase, and jumping, out OF the
buggy started for the front gate.
Where is MOTHER" she won
Sderad. Maybe she didn't hear US
drive up
: the click OF the gate neat
plump figure appeared hastily IN
the Doorway, a figure clad In
brand new gingham dress and In
shoes that squeaked beneath the
weight OF their burden.
Land! How'd you set here,
Mary? It amt Minute since l
s1okad out the door and you weren't
lin sight
s."oh, mother it's so good to be
! home!" The girl kissed the smiling
odd face and noted in one glance OF
satisfaction the healthy glow in her
mothers cheeks and the sparkle OF
happiness in her eyes.
you're looking little Dlt peek
ed, yourself remarked Mrs. Allen,
picking up the suitcase and start
ing INDOORS.
Mary was glancing about at the
odd familiar home She saw the
new front steps, SO white and ship
shape, and the little strips OF new
FLOORING that had been slipped in
there and there along the outer edge
Ito replace the ones that had sue
'cumbed to the endless drip, drip OF
the rain. The whole place had the
ssleeked-off appearance of a home
that has recently undergone gar
ret-to-cel1ar cleaning, and Mary rec
skf-
little signs Of welcome.
Think Of it, mother, a 3. A. col
5lege graduate, full fledged and run
ming overt / never dreamed Id get
there"
t'.But you did, and now I won't
have to be worrying all summer
about your going away in the fall.
Lay off your hat, Mary It's awful
pretty How much did you give
for it? I'm going to pull off these
shoes; they're killing my left foot.
Then we'll go to the kitchen. I
was just fixin' to roll out the pie
crust
Mrs. Allen tried to hide her er-
element by talking rapidly
bob was over this morning" she
Reckon you know more about him
! L
ably been writin' to you most every
day. He graduated with honors,
the PAPER said. told him you was
coming home today, aud he said
he'd be over after supper. Reckon
You. two youn gsters'll be glad to see
each other again. He seemed kind
ser glum: didn't say much of moth
Ing, and Bob generally carries on
so much foolishness. Don't know
what's the matter"
Mrs. Allen sat on a hassock In
front of the upholstered couch and
drew two eminently conforta Bile,
f1at.footed old shoes from beneath
1T. With a sigh she carefully re-
stockings out at the toes. slipped
on her shabby old friends.
TT That's better" she said. rising.
s'Now I'll be able to get around. It's
most supper time. Wen have to
hurry. Land, Mary. what makes
you so pale? Nothin' ! said fright
:ened you, did it?''
The girl tried to conceal her
emotion with a laugh.
s3 .'No. not frightened. mother.
Just dreading something. some
how
ss.'Pshaw, You're not botherin'
about what I said about Bob are
yon? He's all right; lookin' fine
.and heap stouter than he. was
when he left last fall. ;"
The supper somehow fell fiat.
Nobody had much to say: Mary
was OF in her usual spirits and
Mrs. Allen felt disappointed. For
a week she had planned that one
meal, and the menu included
Nary's favorite dishes, yet there
had been no enthusiasm. Tired
and sorter let down from the grad
;ution and the trip and ALL" Mrs.
Allen concluded AS they were
clearing the dishes away together
4 knock sounded on the front
door.
4 There he is Mary. You run on,
II can finish this. -
MARY, now quite pale again. |
stood beside the table and fumbled |
with the knives and forks inN her
hands.
! lilies knocking again. Hurry UP
land take off your apron.
Mrs. Allen deity jerked the
Strings behind her daughters back
and pushed her toward the door. |
Mary went down the
hall and met Bob Hansard coming
S8.8s.On, don't Bob!". she said, back
ing away from his open arms. II