The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-11-30
NEWS FROM HOME
BY LESLIE GRANGER.

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Laura had never felt 30 blue in hel
life. The postman had just left two
letters.
The one from home she laid aside
for more leisurely reading, but The
thick white paper of the Other iden
titled it with wedding, and Laura
opened it eagerly.
To her dismay, the names of Ale1
McCune and Harriet Turner stared al
her from the paper. Below was the
date Of the recent wedding. That was
enough! Laura dropped the invitation
and reached for her handkerchief.
Alex, her old-time sweetheart, had
deserted her!
The Office, save for Laura, was emp
ty. Mr.. Jennings had put on his hat
and overcoat and gone home. While
Laura was in the middle of another
good cry, he recalled something he
had neglected and returned.
why, Miss Sheridan! What in
the world is the natter"
"N-nothing! I'm not crying"
Then beg your pardon. Since you
are perfectly happy, presume there is
no need of sympathy. l have an extra
ticket tonight for the Lyric club con-
cert and thought you might make uss
Of 1t, If you care for music"
Laura sprang up. Thank you!" she
exclaimed, dabbing at her swollen
eyes. 81 guess I was crying-wasn't
II"
"It looked bit like it. Won't you
tell me why?"
Mr.. Jennings sudden interest and
kindness startled her into answering:
"Nellie's gone and Alex is married and
I'm all alone and nobody cares for me
the least bit"
$50 Alex is married."
She looked up surprised. What do
you know about Alex?"
well, got to know about him some
way. Regular letters and all that,
suppose. Besides, couldn't be deaf
TO an allusion you made over the tele-
phone one day. Did-did you-like
him so very much?"
Laura bridled. well, I guess
won't die! If I'd really wanted him
I'd have taken him long ago."
Mr.. Jennings nodded approvingly.
Laura went ont was comforting
to have some one so sympathetic: Il
don't know what to do now that Mel
lies gone. 1 really ought to go home
to the farm, guess
do you mean to say you came from
a wholesome place in the country to
this sin-ridden city Just for adven-
ture?"
"Yes," wonderingly.
"And father and mother and sister
and brothers and cats and chickens
and cows and everything on earth
worth while!"
"Yes."
"Why did you do it,"
81 never got any clothes, and ! |
Then you were very silly little
girl and you'd better go back" He
put on his hat and went out.
For the first time in her life she
had seen Mr.. Jennings jolted out of his
vell-poised, gentlemanly self. And he
lad called her SILLY" and banged the
loor! He was very rude! Her cheeks
famed red.
HE needn't think 1 want to go to
lis old concert" She picked up the
icket, meaning to tear it across and
upor, bic dooL xrrIoro ho GOULD GOO 4
q the morning. Then the words SILLY
title grip rang in her ears. Hell
My think me baby"
So she tucked it into her bag, put on
er wraps and went home.
She also got ready that night and
rent alone to the concert.
The Lyric club proved to be glee {
Tub, and Mr.. Jennings a member. He
ang rich barytone which thrilled I
aura despite her effort to find it or
mary.
Toward the end of the second half,
he began to feel a delicious drowsi- I
ess. Slowly Laura's eyelids dropped {
nd at last she was asleep, her head F
ssting ever so lightly on the back of Z
er plush seat. =
Soon the concert. was over, the cur
lin rang down and people started to n
lie slowly up the aisles to the door. :.
At last the hall was empty, or so the
sher thought whose duty 1t was to
i'm off the lights and close the doors. u
aura slept on peacefully in the black D
neliness Of the great place. H
Then some one laid a hand gently
/ her shoulder. She stirred. L
Time to get up, is it, Nell?" G.
"Yes!" said a mans voice-very =
miliar 1t seemed. TITS time, Miss !
1eridan." II
Laura opened her eyes and sprang r.
her feet. The lights were on now, T
ID before her stood Mr.. Jennings.
why, where did the people go, and Il
hats happened to the music? Why
rely Il haven't been" She looked
ound, bewildered.
You have been having a nice little 40
p. I've been waiting outside to take
u home. Otherwise you'd have
lyed here until tomorrow. l just
ind you this minute. There! Are
u awake enough to 90 now?" i
She was feeling very little and fool =