Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-01
'Epening Story
LEE WINS HER WAGER.
BY Jane Osborn.
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)


Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)
1t was one of the cooler sort of
rainy days in June, and half way up
Mount Kenyon it was as cool and as
drear as March. The old, half-rotted
the mountain side, so far from mend
ing matters, served as base for an
artificial cascade down which the rain
waters flowed in torrents. The wealth
Ter might have cooled less ardent
spirit than that of Lee Bradstreet who,
mounted on pinto pony, and protect
ed against the rain by means of
waterproof for herself and rubber
cover for her saddlebags. rode slowly
on and up the mountain pass.
Though she was not disheartened
she breathed a shade more easily
when she heard the splash OF a
horses feet around a curve in the road
ahead of her She stopped her pony
and waited, not the least alarmed at
meeting stranger alone on so re-
mote a road Still there was immeas-
urable satisfaction in seeing. as he
drew up beside her, that he was one
of her own kind, youthful, clean cut
and undaunted.
"Hello!" was the mans first re-
mark, something Of surprise in his
voice. 81 never thought Id meet
girl up here. I'm Martin lay. Bling
ham college, class of 1919
I'm from Bingham. too said the
girl in return. I'm Lee Bradstreet."
Great weather. he went on as
their horses splashed through the tor
rents. and then, eying the girl intent
/ ly, 81 guess they pulled something
over on me. didn't dream there
were going to be any girls in camp.
But it will make it lot more pleas
ant. Whose idea was it, wonder?'
"Why. don't know" replied the
girl. not without little confusion. In
fact don't know anything about the
plan, any way. simply came because
was sent for I'd promised. you
know, and well, I didn't want to
back out"
Gee, but you're plucky-and on a
day like this. You have fine nag
there. too-takes these bad roads and
torrents like brick"
yes" the girl agreed 81 am very
fond of Buster, though he doesn't
really belong to me yet. But am glad
could make use Of him. You see,
when got that blank that they sent
me, as they did to all the graduates of
Bingham, in order to make list OF
students that they could call on in
case of national calamity. didn't
know just what could do to help.
Still wanted to-
Most OF the girls put down nurs-
| ing, | guess" commented the man as
their horses. each encouraged at the
companionship Of another beast, cas-
lily assembled the pass through the rain
with their burdens. Most of the girls
had an idea that as soon as we began
to think about war we would want
thousand OF so Rood-looking college
girls to read Bernard Shaw and Hor-
ace to the wounded soldiers"
But ] knew couldn't nurse" put
| in Lee. so ! couldn't put that down.
You know what list there was on
those cards-and we were told to put
ia check after the things that we could
! do-farming baby tending, motor
truck driving, telegraphy. typewriting.
gardening. coast surveying and cook
Ing. And there was little note at
the bottom of the card asking II we
had a motor car or other equipment
that we could offer Well. the only
thing I can do on the list is to cook
that's dreadful confession from
college grad. isn't it?-and the only
eouiDment | had was Buster. Buster
really belongs to my brother. but he
let's me use him. So ! sent in my card
all filled out and waited
and then you got your summons.
suppose went on the man, who had
been listening eagerly, by the way
what did you say your name is?'
Lee Bradstreet.'
lee Bradstreet,' repeated the man.
Sounds a lot like mans name. don't
you think so?"
Perhaps: but I've known other girls
named Lee" She was not especially
interested in the discussion of her
own name. "And so / started out, and
Won don't know how proud Buster and
+ shall be. NV brother put up a bet
that they wouldn't want me to help
said there wasn't anything girl like
me could do; and when he lost that
bet he put up another bet-that ia be
back before a week was W. iiV
thinks girls haven't any pluck. So
was glad to come right away The
summons got lust told me to come
with my horse and equipment and go
TO the lodge half way up Mount Men
Won. And in the blank. marked Kind
of Service. il said. Camp Cook I've
bcen riding since morning. | do hope
I can manage to satisfy them think
the committee has done splendid work,
don't your
"Thev have made few mistakes !
commented Martin. "It happens that
7 am alumni chairman Of that commit
tee and perhaps I didn't look into the
names as carefully as | might have.
In fact, Miss Bradstreet.' he said,
looking at her with smile. I've let
one dreadful mistake get through and
the sooner tell you the better. We
thought, because your name was Lee.
Won were a man. and when we were !
making up this list We could get every |
thing we wanted but man cook. And |,
SN.ct