Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-15

little pink ears, her white forehead and
her checks so soft and rosy.
1t was Bessie Moore and her mother.
They carried between them n large picnic
basket covered neatly with snowy
tablecloth. The sight OF the basket MADE
Saunders mouth water and the vision or
the smiling face OF Mrs. Moore and the
half-turned profile Of Bessie brought
moisture to his eyes He stood there, to
all appearance the formidable guardian
of his nations coast, but inwardly only a
homesick boy Of 10 struggling with sud
den impulse to sit upon the ground and
weep
well, Perry Saunders" said Mrs.
Moore, moving to where he stood trans
fixed and taking Bessie with her, still
clinglng to the basket handle. How
stiff you look-bend down, IL you can, and
let me kiss you"
"But-but," stammered Saunders, his
eyes fixed on the girl. I'LL thought
oh, Bessie-aren't you married YETI"
Then Bessie dropped the basket handle
and reached out toward him with both
her hands, her blue eyes full Of light and
her face both serious and sweet.
THAT was n mistake, Perry-I knew It
as soon as you were gone"
I'VE thought sure you would come
back" said Mrs. Moore, reproachfuny.
And then l was afraid you did not
care"
Nonsense" said her mother. "I told
you all along how II was" Turning to
Saunders she added, laughing good-na-
turedly, 81 made her come with me at
last. She was so unhappy"
Saunders, holding both OF Bessle's
hands in one Of his while he clasped his
gun butt with the other, could say moth
ing. He was choking with emotion and
gazing with the staring eyes and open
mouth of an idiot at Bessie.
Suddenly a sharp command startled
them. 1t was the angry voice of Captain
Tooting-the bachelor WHO was fond Of
buns-rebuking Saunders.
That a common soldier should be found
at his post gossping and holding n lady's
had was, to Captain footing, an unspeak-
able offense. 1t was not only an outrage
against discipline, but an infringement on
the privileges of an officer. Never hav-
ing seen n battle. he seized every op-
portunty of this kind to prove himself
n fierce and fearless man in action. He
was n tall man with broad shoulders, a
wasplike waist, a beautifully rounded
buttock and very shapely legs. He was
careful that the 1T of his uniform should
reveal his charms of person. and he be-
lieved himself to be at once beautiful
and heroic sight.
1t was characteristic of him that his
reprimand of Saunders was moro vigor-
Gus because of the presence of the ladies'
They were not so much Saunders friends
as they were his own audience. He had
no doubt that If he should send this pri-
vate TO the guardhouse the ladies' would
look upon him with admiring awe.
He was therefore overcome by n kind
of Mortified surprise when Mrs. Moore
interrupted him and said with calm as
surance:
re-there-Mr.-don't waste your
breath. We've como to take this young
man home with us"
The captain gazed at her stuplfed.
Come, Perry" she continued. turning
her back on the officer. Put down that
ridiculous gun and show us a nice, shady
place where we can eat"
"Madam" shouted the captain.
sir cried Mrs. Moore, turning on him
quickly, don't scream at me-
This soldier has enlisted for three
years" stormed the captain.
"Three flddlesticks," interrupted Mrs.
Moore. "He got foolish notion into his
head
"Silencc!" shouted the captain.
"See here" cried Mrs Moore, "If you
knew what us folks at Moore Centre
think of you soldiers
Mamma" whispered Bessie frantically
''yCull get Perry into trouble"
GO to the guardhouse" screamed the
captain.
CONTINUED TOMORROW