The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-07-11

He bowed as he did so TO n little
party which at that moment entered
the room through the door. obstruct-
ing his passage. There we're two very
spick and span young officers with
Miss Caroline Milford between them,
while just behind loomed the ponder.
GUS figure Of old Martha.
You wait in the hall right here,
Martha; | won't be long" said Caro-
line, pausing moment to let the 9TH
ers precede her.
The two young men stopped on
either side of the door and waited for
her.
Miss Milford" said the elder "this
is the department telegraph Office"
Thank you" said Caroline, enter
ing the room with only the briefest of
acknowledgements Of the profound
bows Of her escorts.
She was evidently very much agi-
tated and troubled over what she was
about to attempt. The two young
men followed her as she stepped down
the long room.
Il am afraid you have gone back on
the army, Miss Milford" said one of
them pleasantly.
Gone back on the army, why?"
asked Caroline mystihed.
Seems like we should have a salute
as you went by"
"Oh, yes" said the girl.
She raised her hand and saluted In
a perfunctory and absent-minded man
ner, then turned away from them. She
nodded to the messengers, some of
whom she knew. One of them, who
knew her best, stepped forward.
Good evening, Miss Milford, could
we do anything in the office for you to-
night?" he asked.
"Oh, yes-you can. want to send
"a telegram"
The other of the young officers who
had escorted her, who had remained
silent, now entered the conversation
Have you been receiving some bad
news, Miss Mitford?" he asked sympa-
thetically.
"Oh, no."
Maybe some friend of yours has
gone to the front, and" interposed
the first officer.
We'll, supposing he had." said Caro-
line, would you call that bad news?"
Il don't know as you would exactly
like to"
Let me tell you," said Caroline, "as
you don't seem to know, that all my
friends have gone to the front"
There was an emphasis on the pro-
noun which should have warned the
young soldier what was about to oc-
cur, but he rushed blindly to his doom.
81 hope not all, Miss Milford" he
replied.
Yes, all" rejoined Caroline, making
the "all" very emphatic, for II they
did not they wouldn't be my friends"
But some of US are obliged to stay
here to take care Of you, you know"
contributed the other young man.
We'll, there are altogether too
many of you trying to take care OF
me-" said Caroline saucily, with some
return Of her usual lightness, "and
you are all discharged"
do you mean that, Miss Mitford?"
II certainly do"
We'll, suppose II we are really
we will have to CO." re-
turned the other.
"Yes," said his companion regret
fully, but we are mighty sorry to see
you in such low spirits"
Would you like to put me in real
good spirits, you two?" asked Caro-
line, resolved to read these young
dandies who were staying at home a
lesson.
Wouldn't we?" they both cried to-
gether. There's nothing we would like
better"
We'll, will tell you Just what to do
-hen," returned the girl graVely and
with deep meaning.
Everybody in the room, with the ex-
,eption of Lieutenant Foray, was now
intently.
Start right out this very night"
said the girl, "and don't stop till you
get to where my real friends are, lying |
n trenches and bitches and earth,
works between us and the Yankee |
yuns."
But really, Miss Milford" began
,ne, his face flushing at her severe re-