Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-12-10
DAVID GRIEG'S MITE
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.
Copyright, 1914. by the Mcclure Newspa-


Never before had David Grieg felt
the sting and selfpity of being phys
icaly weak. Never before had he
regretted the great mental power that
had sec ningly robbed his body OF
strength. But now, when his COM
rades were all answering the call to
battle, he was flung back from the
rank and file and could only stay at
home with the women and children
His big, brave friends had gone off to
hurl themselves before the enemy's
shot and bayonet, to fight for the honor
of their country, yet he must remain
at home in his snug cottage like some
pampered Dresden doll.
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 COM
rades 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 Of
fering his mite to the countrys 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 someone VINO
would act as housekeeper He would
not mind If she had one or two chill
dren whom he could clothe and feed
as we'll. In fact, David decided to
stipulate that 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
slim little creature, but as brave IN
her own way as the big husband who
had gone with his regiment the Sec
ond Dragons.
Mrs. Wade proved very efficient and
even CHEEKY about his household and
the two children were a continual
source of interest to David.
If Mrs. Wade found her new sur
roundings and duties a more or less
pleasant change from none TOO
happy existence she did not say so to
David.
"Do you think we could take in a
few more of those left behind?" David
asked her half laughingly and half
seriously. You manage so well that
| feel we could shelter some Belgian
refugees. | see a great number have
arrived on English soil today"
"Oh, If we only could shelter some
of those poor, destitute Belgians."
Mrs. Wade responded. She set to
work after that to care for one or
two refugees whom David sent for.
1T 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.
When the telegram came for her 1t
was David himself who took it from
the boy. He knew before opening it
just what it contained. War was
reaping it's ghastly harvest and David
knew that Mrs. Wades brave husband
had fallen.
She was down at the foot of the
garden with her two sunny.haired
children and the little Belgian refugee
to whom she was pointing out the
beauty of a great winged butterfly.
1t was all over with startling sud-
denness. David had told her gently.
She had made a supreme effort to
remain upright, but David had only
time to stretch out his arms to catch
her before she fell. After that he led
her into the house and up to the big
sunny room that overlooked the gar
den. He left her then to her sorrow.
He himself went back to the garden.
When Mrs. Wade came down the
stairs an hour later her eyes were
wells in which a great sorrow lay.
Hel smile was brave as she kissed
her BARNS.
II will tell them tonight about the
soldier daddy who went to fight for
his country" she said to David Il
want them to be happy now while the
sun is shining"
David Grieg took her hand and held
it firmly between his own. He knew
then that he loved her; that he always
would love her and that some day he
would tell her SO.