The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-29
The Epenine Story
His Mite.

His Mite.
(By Dorothy Douglas)
Never before had David Gries felt
the sting and self ity of being phys
ically weak. Never before had he re-
GREETED the great mental power that
had seemingly robbed mis- body OF
rades were all answering the call to
battle, he was flung back from the
nix and file and could only stay at
nome with the women and children
His big, brave friends had gone on
to hurI themselves before the enemys
shot and bayonet, to fight for the hon
or of their country. yet he must re-
main at home in his snug cottage like
some pampered Dresden doll
Not Dresden doll, either he
laughed cy.lically. Il might be fortu-
nate enough in that case to have my
bally head knocked of, and that
would be preferable to sitting back
work properly" He sighed with
heartfelt pity for himself and fell to
wondering in just what capacity a
weakling like himself could be Of any
service to his country.
David Grieg was a novelist OF no
mean ability, and while his books
were not exactly numbered among
first sellers. they were to be found in
most good libraries. He had sent a
goOd-sized check to the hospital fund,
but that seemed SO frightfully made
quate in view. of the fact that his
comrades were on the firing line and
his very servants fighting with the
enemy. Grieg had employed three
Germans, and one and all had gone
back to the fatherland.
1t was his lack. of servants that sug-
gested to David another way of offer
ing his mite to the country's needs.
He read in his morning paper that
wives and children of soldiers were
being housed by generous individuals.
David saw no reason why he should
not offer a home. to some one who
would act as housekeeper. He would
not mind il she had one or two chill
dren whom he could clothc and feed
as well. In fact, David decided to
stipulate t. It he wanted a soldiers
wife and children.
He sent his offer to the government
committee for the prevention and re-
lief of distress. Before two days had
passed Mrs. Wade and her two chill
dren had come to him. She was a
slim little, creature, but as brave In
her own way as the big husband who
had gone with his regiment, the Sec
ond dragons. David fell Immediate
ly to wondering how SO delicate and
dainty g. little. woman was going to
stand the exigencies Of war. the har-
rowing suspense ~salternating with
fear and hope and the constant brood
ing over horrors through which her
husband was even then passing. She
seemed -frightfullY frail for SO heavy
a burden, yet David realized that she
was only one of many thousands In
like position.
Mrs. Wade proved very efficient ana
even CHEEKY about his household and
the two children were continual!
source of interest 20 David. He found
himself lonely when their laughter
had ceased for the night, and ne
thought of their father far off on the
battle grounds with only memory to
cheer him on. David marveled at the
strength of the man who could tear
himself away from those two sunny
BARNS and their mother. He himself
could not have, Lett her. OF that he
was certain. and with the realization
came the unwelcome thought that
some day he, too. would have to lose
her from his life.
Mrs. Wade had become essential to
his comfort as well as his happiness.
although David, did not admit that
even to himself. In the short time
she had been a part of his household
she had crept completely into his ma
ture, supplying each and every need,
and David fell 20 wondering how he
had ever lived in a house void OF Wom-
en- and children. Never again would
he so rob his happiness by such q lack
Perhaps he would decide to marry, or
maybe another housekeeper, such as
Mrs. Wade, could tie found
If Mrs. Wade found her new sur
Iroundings and duties a more or less
pleasant change from a none too hap
py existence she did not say SO 70
David If the expression OF her soft
ewes became q shade more hopeful no
one knew it. She was brave In having
given up her brawny husband to the
war, and she was grateful Tor the COM
pensation of a good home where David
Greig surrounded ner with every COM
fort and consideration.
do you think we could take in a
few more of those left behind?" David
asked her half laughingly and half
feel we could shelter some Belgian
refugees. I see a great number have
arrived on English soil today. He
glanced askance at her, as II wanting
to know what she thought OF the idea.
"You sse. would like to help all can
in this crisis, since L may not enter the
firing line"
.Oh, if we only could shelter some
of those poor destitute Belgians," Mrs.
Wade responded with a great.light In
her eyes and David knew for the first
| time in his life how wonderful q soul
could exist, in a small body. she set
to work after that to care FOR one or
two refugees whom DAVID sent Tor.
cit is marvellous" he told himself,
"how some women can shoulder their
own burdens and those Of others as
! we'll" And David did not realize that
he had fallen in love with the soldiers
wife, He was only happy to have con-
tributed his mite to the nation, and
he would have knocked his own head
J off had he suspected his real emotions
in the case Of Mrs. Wade
When the telegram came for her it
| was David himself who took it from
| the boy. He knew before opening it
| lust what it contained. War was reap
! ing its ghastly harvest and David knew
F; that Mrs. Wade's brave husband had
| fallen. There would be many such