The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-10-18
GAVIN CAME BACK
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.


s4-A.AaA.nse-sAs44SsAsSAsA% -sAb~dusSAsSAA-A~AsAS
Capt. John Gavin dropped into a
great wicker chair in the tear0om in
oxford street. His crutCh, terribly
new to him, was taken with an iln-
pulse of swift tenderness by girl
sitting in the chair near him. Gavin
nodded silent thanks.
The girl returned TO her seat, her
eyes lowering over the soldier with a
soft glow Of which he was quite I'M
conscious.
Gavin had come back from the war
crippled, sorcly unneryed and deplor-
ing the fate that had sent him back
at all. lie desired more than anything
else TO be lying out there under the
ciderdown of blood-stained earth that
covered Stanley, Drake and Malone.
Gavcn had left leg with his pals.
So remote was Gavin in sense from
his surroundings that he did not hear
the girl who had approached. She
dropped into the chair opposite.
Gavin was shy to the extent Of
brusqucncss with women.
"Please forgive me-" she apologl2ed.
A softcned American accent drifted
along with her words. as there a
chance, just a vague hope, that you
could have known my dear, dear
brother. see you are Of the Royal
Sussex regiment, and he" she closed
her eyes for a second-"he fell with
them"
A quick wonderful light leapt into
Gayln's eyes, His face was trans
formed.
"Jimmy, Jimmy" he called softly
and with both hands outstretched he
graspcd those Of the girl. That haunt
Ing likeness to his pal quite unneved
him. He was not conscious Of the
warmth OF his clasp.
lie forgot his shyness with women
forgot everything that was past and
ugly while he was In the presence of
Polly Malone. His nature, sensitlzed
by acute suffering, felt the soothing
charm of Jimmy Malone drifting
through the person Of Polly.
~ was sitting here dcploring the I'M
kind fate that allowed me to live" he
said frankly, "and now, because you
have spoken to me, no longer want to
die. Strange" he added thoughtfully
"how few simple words with the
glance from sincere eyes can illumlne
the world"
Polly Malone said nothing. She was
touched TO the heart 10y the quick &c
spouse in Gavins nature.
Had you not worn your uniform
she said shyly Il should not have
known"
81 hate taking It off and getting into
mufd," he replied quickly; ~ seem
nearer the chaps out Herewith
Khaki on"
Polly swallowed hard. She must be
soldier, for she was facing one.
He told her Of heroic deeds, beautl'
rul stories Of splf.sacrliice for God and
me good Of men, The terrific havoc
Of warfare wns made to seem but the
glorious fight for eternal good, thC
struggle for supreme civilization ant
honor The triumph and grandeur Of
clarion note sounded through his
words. Polly sat quietly and listened
"And, Jimmy" he added softly
"hrayc old Jimmy saved our entire
battalion that night He went on d
accommodating tour alone, and lone
handed bombed the enemy trench. But
| they got him, the flends by hoistlns
the flag OF truce-and Jimmy-fell.
took command then, and we Tough
like devils gone mad. When the Skin
! mleh was over ] found Jimmy ant
held him In my arms willie he smiled
through the paln-that brave, brave
smile Of the borderand,
captain Gavin" Polly faltere,
cagerly, you have lighted a great biz
torch for me- You have brought Jim
my back to me in a way that make
me ashamed Of my weakness. Iii
body Is lost 10 me- but"
Ills soul Is shining right In you
eyes" Gavin said softly "the soul o
soldier. I think between us-llttl
sister OF Jimmy Malone--we are "a
Ing 10 patch up quite a remarkable
friendship"
eft Is not going TO require a gren
NUMBER of patches Polly commente
hyly; 1T is ch0rmingly whole eve
now. And when You come to see m
every day and ride and drive and cha
with me ana | try 10 make you forge
the nerYe-tearlng part Of war-bel
haps Won Wll not find any holes in on
friendship that need patching"
The searching smile deepened i
GaYins eyes. Being OF an expressly
nature Polly gave voice 10 he
thoughts.
"You know she said wlstfully, "
shall always feel very, very small an