Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-11-15
The Right Man
By VICTOR REDcLlFFE
Copyright. 1917. western Newspaper Union


What did you draw, Monte?'
The trooper addressed held up
small neat muffier, dainty perfumed,
neatly knit and with card attached
reading, Ladies Aid Society, Bluffton,
Illinois," Monte proceeded to fix the
pretty trifle under his coat, slipped the
card into his pocket, and watched the
goings on among his fellow soldiers in
the big tent of the regular army con-
tingent encamped on Texas soil.
A great mass Of donations for the
boys in blue had come in with the
morning train, was deposited in the big
tent and there was scramble choice for
the various packages.
It was Joyous, animated scene and
every man was bettered and uplifted
by the CHEEKY break in camp monotony.
All kinds Of pretty handmade trifles
went the rounds, from pin cushions to
neckties. Monte Bruce went over to
his own tent and was about to throw.
the card away, when he noted on Its
reserve side 9 penciled date and under
it the name, WANDA Beverly"
'Why, I've found lady Lowell" he
chuckled. He sat down and indited a
chatty, ingenious letter to the donor
Of the neck scarf.
He had come across a photograph Of
his lieutenant, Joyce Griscom, taken at
his best Of that really handsome and
daring young officer, invaded on ac-
count of fever for ninety days and gone
North to convalesce. Audaciously
Monte inclosed it and within a week a
sisterly, heartsome epistle came in re-
turn.
Meanwhile the original Of the photo-
graph was spending his furlough pleas
antly at Wadham, not half hundred
miles from Bluffton. Fate plays strange
capers with its victims.
Griscom was passing well-appoint-
ed house when he paused to comfort
a little child at its gate. She was seat
ed inside Of It, sobbing bitterly.
"Why, little one, whatever is the
trouble?'' queried Griscom.
''The-the gate slammedi" wept the
child, "and killed my dolly, my booful
Katydid! Only see" The child point
ed to the doll In question. Its china
head wa denuded Of one cheek, ear
and eye, which lay in brittle fragments
on the ground.
"Den't cry, little one," cheered Girls
com. "Here, and with his penknife he
severed the loose threads that held the
dismantled head to the body of the
doll. "I'll take this to match for new
one, and when you get up tomorrow
morning you'll find 1t on your door
STEP
Griscom purchased a rev china head
In the village and the next morning
turned from the street into the grounds
Of the house where the child lived.
He did not go up the steps, for by
leaning over he was able to place the
package on the step. Just at that mo-
ment the door opened. A beautiful
young girl Of eighteen gazed strangely
at him. He deffed his cap.
81 found tiny mourner yesterday
outside here, bemoaning a great loss, =
explained Griscom quickly, "and prom
Used her q new dolls head. It is in
that package"
"Yes-yes-but, excuse me-thank
| YOU
| Griscom regarded the young lady in
wonder. II have seen shy girls" he
soliloquized, "but this young lady
beats them all. Yes, she is shy, but
bewitchingly lovely!'
So much SO, that Joyce Griscom
could not Danish the memory Of that
chance meeting. He passed the house
\ next morning. Someone was pointing
at one Of the upper windows Abruptly
there was a crash, the echo of breaking
glass, and following it there floated or
the air in plaintive wailing accents the
words:
ooh, please, come some onel Oh le
me out ~
! Griscom rounded the house ant
glanced at its upper story. At shat
tered pane stood his little friend. Sh,
was closely hugging her precious dolly
with its new head in place, and con
vulsed with tears.
whats the trouble, little one?" h.
called up.
sim locked in!" mourned the child
"Sister has run over to neighbours
and came up to her room to put doll,
to bed, and the door blew shut AM
/ was scared. Please let me out, won
: your"
II certainly WILL" pledged Griscom
Turning to leave the room, his ey
fell upon a framed photograph on tn
bureau. It was draped with flags 0
the allies. He stared and marve1ed
"My picture" he fairly gasped. Lit
tie one" he spoke to his companion
"whose picture is that"
"Oh, that's poor soldier down Il
Texas, sister knows" came the innc
cent response. 'srhere she is now"
i "Nita!" called up a voice from be
low.
! "I'm coming" the answer floate