The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-11-11
DAILY SHORT STORY
SHORE LEAVE

1
J he had dared to send her and the teak
wood box and the trinkets of Mexican
! fillSree. Yes. and his picture. just SO
she wouldn't forget him. He didn't need
any of her. His time was up in Sep
TENDER. II he could only be sure she
was still there In the little white house
on the shore road. Yet maybe she was
married and maybe she was up at thi
/ island plot. whose still white stones ali
and Rugged his memory of her. afraid
to risk the truth. Then Grinman came
back and told him. big Grinman OF the
! gunners' mess.
She's still here. Tink," said excitedly.
Seen her today myself. She's all alone
up there. Lost her father in the March
! blows"
Dead" asked Tinkham.
Sure. She's all alone. I'm telling you.
Thought you'd like to know"
Thanks" answered Tinkham, and the
next day he got shore leave. Past the
docks with their little stalls and shops
he went, ,down along the shore path be-
low the big hotels. Didn't he know the
| shortest way. though? He could have
found il In the darkest night. that mar
row path to her door. and this was
, morning. with the sea ripping in the
sunlight and the gulls preening them
selves OUT on the pare DtOWn TOChS AT
low tide. AS he turned up the beaten
track to the cottage. he lifted his cap
and tucked II under his arm for all the
world the way he had the day he went
to hear her play in church. Then. final
". he stood at the green screen side door.
tapping he. Tinkham of the navy. with
year between him and a girl who had
boxed his ears.
But he had full revenge. She came
quickly from the inner room and saw
him. and the color rose to her face as
she gave n quick, indrawn little gasp and
laughed TO cover il.
Tinkham had rehearsed all sorts Of
proper speeches all the way along the
road. and now he stood silent, adoring
her and all he could think to say was:
My times up in September. I'm on
shore leave today"
She gave him a chair on the little
porch looking seaward. AID they sat
down.
Did you think I'd GOMEZ" he asked.
Il don't know"
Didn't you think anything at all when
the ships came in? Didn't you even re-
member me-
She glanced from him TO the boat lying
keel up down on sands.
Yes, / remembered. Dad liked to
talk to you best of the boys that came
W here from the ships
You'll never like me cause I spoke
to you that day. will you?'' he asked
hungrily. II didn't say anything only"
Il remember what you said. She
smiled at him from under her long
Ia shes. ITS just what all OF them
say to any girl"
IF I said 1t today it wouldn't be the
same" said Tinkham doggedly. 'T'd-rd
mean II. That's what came ashore for
I didn't dare come before. l was afraid
you might be married or dead maybe. l
guess I've thought about you every day
for a year. and when heard about your
trouble l had to come. I've only got
one more month to serve then I'm 60
ing out home TO see my mother and sis
tiers But I'm coming back. can't get
away from the sea. 1 like 1t right here.
Maybe it's you that makeg the island
seem wonderful. don't know. but feel
IL right here"
Tinkham stopped and waited. He was
not given to eloquence. Love seemed
to leave him wordless and smitten with
its glory. Deborah was looking past him
out to sea where the warships lay. gun
metal gray in the morning light on the
sapphire water. The white linen collar
she wore was fastened with a brooch
OF Mexican filigree silver.
I'm coming back in September. II
there isn't anybody else. She shook
her head quickly. and Tinkham's blue
eyes sparkled. H. leaned toward her
eagerly. throwing his challenge TO fate.
Hello, sweetheart" he whispered, not
as he had said It that first day, but
with all his hearts longing in his voice,
all his life's hope in the call Hello,
sweetheart
And Deborah, flushing softly, stretched
out her hand to him.
Hello. boy!" she answered. 7 kind of
thought you'd come ashore"
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