Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-06-28
THOSE BUTTONS.

to move out Of the station.
A soldier was leaning out the window
on the opposite side. He did not turn his
head at her somewhat Hurried entrance,
but continued to gaze out the window.
The girl and the soldier were the only
occupants of the compartment.
At sight Of the soldier, curious light
came into the girls eyes, for she col
lected military buttons. Two remarkably
fine specimens cleaned on the soldiers
coat, just below his pipe-clayed belt.
She fixed her eyes upon the buttons
and broke the tenth commandment Re
member, she was button enthusiast
Her collection, SO far, was but scanty
one. She did not move in military cir
cles. What q difference those two but-
tons would have made!
She wanted the buttons badly, and
they were no earthly good to the soldier.
What useful purpose could they possibly
serve stuck there in that foolish fashion.
Just where the soldiers waist ought TO
have been? They would certainly look
much better in her little button museum,
on background of red velvet. Velyer
was so much more becoming than fan-
mel. Really, those buttons could not be
expected to do themselves justice on red
flannel!
She edged a little nearer to the SOL
dlef. She could not have told what regi-
ment the buttons belonged to, but that
was no matter. She wanted them. That
was enough.
How easy it would be. with the helm
Of her pocket scissors-but no. such n
thing was impossible!
- The hungry look deepened in her evee
such look Tantalus might have worn
as ne gazcd i'll agony ut the golden f,g,it
he might not reach.
1T was impossible she told herself and
yet how easy, '''''
Furtively she fumhlcd In her nocyo4
Then she glanced again at the burly
nioilohless back. Softly she crept nearer
ana nearer TO that unconscious explnse
of red fianuei.
One-two little ships, and the buttons
would be hers! Why not? Surely if was
an innocent proceeding! Surprising she
Were to ask the soldier for those hut+one
he would, she reflected. be only TO hanny
70 present them to her. But speak TO n
strange man III railway carriage she
cond not. Much better TO do the tbing
quietly. without any fuss.
Would the soldier get into trouble for
returning t., his barracks minus two but
tons! She hoped not.
~ course If he knew nothing about
Lheir disappearance he could not be
held responsible. On the whole. there
IoTe' II would be better that he should
4ot KNOW. In fairness to the poor sol
back " peiiii'u JUS
She was almost beginning TO feel rs IT,
She would be doing the soldier n service
~ ~ cutting OIL those superfuous buttons
rms, of course, is the right and nronor
iFane OF mind in which to commit anv
kind of sin. 'ii'' any
vain trembling fingers she brought her
scissors 10 bear upon the button that ,vos
nearest to her ''"' was
mere was an almost inaudible click
ana the button was hers!
embroidered by her success, she seized
me other button between her finger and
thumb. 3oi anu
Now; whether it was that success had
maze her reckless or excitement I'm.
heryed her or whether it was nm uncx.
pected jerk i'll the motion Of the train
the writer is not in position to say.
suffice 1t that, at the critical moment
her mana slipped, as il were, and she
gave the button an involuntary null
Inc soldier looked round.
Jim
me button She had annexed dronped
IRON her nervelesS fingers.
lie picked it up and gazed at if in 81.
lent amazement.
her hand. ''''-' '''e 9''>S0rS III
MY button" he remarked. stupidity.
OH sue '''iu'
She looked at him nervously.
ms ince was twitching convulsiyeIv
II suppose | ought to apologize i"
she stammered
please don't. Woula Won lilo ,,l
other one as well 2"
No, thank YOU"
Bpt Nou-yOu were trying 10 snip If
on when turned round, weren't you?'
He looked at her scarlet face in evil
dent enjoyment of her confusion
1ou have changed very much" he
laughter now. They wer wonderfully
pleasant eyes.
How do YOU mean?' she asked.
iWo years ago he said, "you had
| know"
At the words the whole adsurlity of
the situation flashed upon her.
Her merriment threatened 10 become
almost hySterical Suddenly she stopped
laughing and looked ut his soldiers uni
form.
Whit are You wearing those for?'
she said.
I've enlisted"
Good hCaVenSr'
six months ago"
Can nothing he doue?"
II don't understand"
Cant YOU resign, or ahScond. or
whatever it's called?"
And YOU are the woman who col
lectS military buttons" he remarked
sadly.
Don't Won want To set out?
Not till the next station but one"
he rephcd.
Out of the army, I mean. Of course"
Get ont of the army? Why, I've
only inst got in
"What made you do ito"
Love Of The thing, BeSs. Couldn't
do ii any other way, SO made up my
mind ia start in the ranks"
But two years ago you--
- had very different pleus? Two
vcars ago, il Won remember, l was going
10 he married.
She looked ut him in growing wonder.
"Do you mean that for her sake you
sacrificed Your dearest wiShf'
II couldn't eNpect her to marry q
comon soldier. could -
"Aud she never guessed. She allowed
q paltry quarrel to separate her from the
man who was willing 10 give up so
much"
"T ,,sed IN think Shn wonl1 coma hack"