The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-01-05
THE WHITE SHAWL
FRANK GREAyES.

the ROADSIDE WitcnlnS FOrTeSls men
go by. A gray cavalryman had pulled
up his horse and talked awhile. Mar
thlema was very pretty. The slider
praised her hair, which was very
dark, her lips, so like the cherry, and
ended by singing little song, the ad-
vice of which was to "join the cavalry.
She laughed and shook her curls
loose in attempting to indicate her
aversity, "You see," she went on to
explain, pointing a finger at his nose,
"You see | have friend with the ar
tillery."
"Ahp Then he was encroaching on
a comrades rights. "Then I'll say
good bye, pretty one-the artillery is
on behind-wait, he'll come"
Nanny Malissa came to spread
down blanket for her to sit on, then
sat down herself, almost covering it.
mann Maliss', you big old thing,
you are like a jelly frog-simply flow
all over the blanket"
"Hish, chile, Use er oler oman dan
you standin dar."
Marthlema from her high perch on
a stump saw cloud Of dust on far
Their hill. Then she heard the driver
saying "Giddap, sah;" then that
deathly rumble and clank of the guns
as they bounced along the road. The
drivers were unrecognizable for dust
it transformed eye-lashes into yellow
streaks, clotted in corners of mouths,
hid the hair. 1t became a yellow fog
in which you were dimly recognized.
Then Jim walked out and came up the
bank. She did not recognize him with
blue towel around his neck, dust
hiding his features, Then he spoke:
"Marthlema" and she ran forward
to be clasped in his arms.
When he had kissed her the fourth
time, she thought more sensibly.
"Are you hungry, jim"
Honey" he took off his hat and at
tempted to impress upon her the woe
of his existence. Honey, am nearly
starved. We had hard corn three
weeks; then somebody shot a dog. Last
night we eight supped on two sweet
potatoes. Just look at my--at my ,er
face"
"Hush, JIM Come with me. We
have saved ham, Jih-that's all"
He paused, twiriing his hat in his
hands, looked down and said;
"No-I was joking. Marthlema, we
are living on the fat of the land"
She knew this was untrue. He was
refusing for her sake-and he was
hungry. Stories had come of how he
suffered in order to feed his men.
Jim, you are going to eat some of
j that ham. | told you the truth-you
realize conditions. You-lied to me,
Jim-but it was a big, heroic lie. Kiss
me-again."
As they set off toward the house he
told her, eagerly, boyishly, that his
was the only artillery going down to
the fight.
"Just think of that, my dear-your
Jim's going tot open the fight! Artil-
lery always does when taking fort,
| dear"
She was silent.
"And tomorrow, when you hear the
guns, you will know-I'm sending
back word to you. Remember-and
listen"
eyes, Jim. l would to God could
not hear. They will be killing loved
ones-like you. Some northern girl
will weep-after-tomorrow."
"You look at the thing all wrong,
Marthlema. Think-they are here;
this is our land; they kill us. They
are in-our house"
"But, jim"
"0h dear girl, but nothing. Have
you a towel you can lend me-the
smoke at times is very bad on the
eyes,"
She arose and went out. He called
Bring anything you don't need, dear
Returning, she laid a beautiful
snow white shawl across his shoulder
"Ah, Marthlema, | know how you
prize this. How lovely to give, but
can't spoil this beautiful garment"
ut is my wish, Jim. Please DOM
give it back"
81 hardly know what to do" he was
saying. "Why, this is too fine for q
poor soldier to use for towel"
She disregarded his assertion.
Zone thing is asked, jim; if you are
killed. would want it more than
can tell you now"
Don't fear future bridges. But
will tell the men, and if | should be
they will return the shawl. Now
must hurry. At the gate he said gooc
bye. AT the turn of the road he wav.
ed the shawl then pressed it to his
| lips.
i "Giddap," yelled a drowsy driver
iwho had caught sight of his command
err. Theman was urging six mule:
that strained at great cannon.
Marthlema had forgotten the rose
Now she tore the blossom from hel
dress and running out held it up fol
the driver
For me, honey?"
"No-Jim-your captain. Give
them-he will know"
'tHa, ha, ha," he laughed, "we1
cook 'em for supper. Giddap."
She watched the last gun go.
"Tomorrow-ah-he would sent
back word. How terrible that is. Ev