Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-06-29
BE A GOOD BOY.
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The door bell rang, and in q momen,
the familiar voice of Judson was in.
quiring for Gene.
'Tell him to hurry; the girls are
crazy to see him."
In few moments he was undergoing
a counterfeited enjoyment Of greetings,
and took his place beside young lady
whom he could see but dimly. She had
been presented to him as Miss Hurd-
man. The conversation naturally drift
ed to the war, but it was with a notice
liable effort that Gene was induced t.
participate in the discussion.
"And you have been with the - Illi-
nois, Mr. Brockway" said Miss Hurd-
man, plunging into the subject very
near her heart.
Eyes, l started with the boys"
growled the soldier.
How STANCE; l had a very dear
friend with that regiment. had known
him but a short time," she continued,
with concealed smile, "but l had be.
come very much attached to him, and
the thought of his being so far from
home and the object Of Spanish treach-
cry has given me an interest in the war
which otherwise l would never have
felt"
The tender and sincere manner of
Miss Hurdman in referring 10 her
friend appealed rather strangely TO
young Brockway, and he frightened
somewhat as he quzzed his clever
charmer as to her soldier boy.
WAS he private, Miss Hurdman"
"Well-yes, believe So" she drolled,
feeling her way out of rather danger
Gus corner of the conversation, "but
was it really true that you had nothing
to eat but bad beef, which made you
sick?' she added, seeking, with some
adroitness, to generalize a bit.
Our provisions were served La
carte" joked Brockway, "but not with
the pomp, perhaps, of our Chicago Del
monicos. But your friend, has he re-
turned to the States?"
''No-that is, not that he has told me.
1t has been so long since have re-
ceived any news from the company
that l am getting much alarmed. And
had you no cream for your coffee, and
did you often sleep out of doors all
night, Mr.. Brockway, by the banks Of
rivers where crocodles and things were
crawling and swimming around?" ram
bled Miss Hurdman, with embarrassed
desperation.
'The heat and swamps of Cuba were
our deadliest enemies, Miss Hurdman,
but what was the name of your friend
and of what company was he mem
ber? Perhaps l may know something
of him"
"Are you folks still talking warp ex-
claimed Judson, whose previous atten-
tions had been so absorbed that he was
not aware how his timely interruption
had saved the day for Maine.
Il must tell you good joke on
Gene" continued Judson. "It comes
from his own comrades, girls, SO |
know it must be true. When he was
sick and out of his head in the army
hospital the only thing he ever said
was, BE good boy and come home
again"
well any fellows mother would tell
him that" laughed Brockway.
The thrill which swept through one
of the hearts in the carriage at that mo-
ment was known to Maine Hurdman
alone. Gould it be possible that this
was the fellow" she thought; land still
these We're the very words used," and
she secretly wished that he might be
Ne. When she spoke she leaned loving
to the shoulder of the young man by
Il side and softly whispered in his
! ear:
"'Gene Brockway, your mother new
er told you that. 1t was l."
A double wedding took place that
fall, for Gene begged the privilege
from his friend Horace, who was to
marry Zella Raymond, the fourth mem.
ber of the happy driving party which
attended the reception.-Chicago Times
Herald.