The Lamar register., 1917-12-26
The Right Man
By VICTOR REDcLIFFE
lc0pyrlEht. Isl7. we.tern New.paper Union.

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 penciled date and under
1t the name, "Wanda Beverly"
"Why, I've found II lady lovel" 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 Mt
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 1t and within week n
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 a well-appoint-
cd 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
troublc?" queried Griscom.
"The-the gate slammedl" wept the
child, "and killed my dolly, my booful
Katydidi Only see." The child point
ed to the doll in question. Its china
head was denuded of one cheek, ear
and eye, which lay in brittle fragments
on the ground.
"Don't cry, little one" cheered Girls
com. "Here, and with his penknlfe he
severed the loose threads that held the
dismantled head to the body of the
doll. ''Ill take this to match for a new
one. and when you get up tomorrow
morning you'll find II on your door
step"
Grlscom purchased n r W china head
in tho 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
lcrn'ng over he was able 70 place tho
nacl'nge on the step. just at that mo
ment tho door opened. beautiful
young girl of eighteen gazcd strangely
ut him. lie doffed his cap.
81 found n tiny mourner yesterday
outside here. bemnaning n great loss"
explained Grlscom quickly. "nnd prom
ised her n new dolls heal II is in
that package"
'.1es--yes-but. excuse me-thank
you"
Grlscom regarded TIE young lady in
wonder. 81 have seen shy girls" he
sollioGulzed, but this young lady
heats them all. Yes. she Is shy. but
bewitchingly loyelyi"
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 n crash. she echo of breaking
elnss, and following 1t there floated on
the air in plalntive waillng accents the
words:
"Oh. please. come some onei Oh. let
me outl"
Griscom rounded the house and
glanced at its upper story. At n shat
tered pane stood his little friend. She
was closely hugging her precious dolly,
with its nov head in place, and con
vulsod with tears.
whats the trouble, little oneg' he
called up.
I'm locked in!" morrned the child.
"Sister has run over to a neighbours.
and came up to her room to put dolly
TO bed, and the door blew shut and
was scared. Please let me out, won't
your
II certainly WILL" pledged Griscom.
Turning to leave the room, his eye
fell upon framed photograph on the
bureau. 1t was draped with flags of
the allies. He stared and marveled.
my picture ~ he fairly gasped. Lit
tie one" he spoke TO his companion,
"whose picture is that"