Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-31
A STORY FOR SPARE MOMENTS
"Ginger''

lorna REEVES reached the station at
II Maiden just as the train was moving
away, She started a rum might have caught
1t If she had not tripped, and would have
fallen had she not been caught in the arms
OF tall, handsome young fellow dressed in
a khaki suit
Taking that train?" he asked swiftly.
Yes. il you please But it's too late ("
she painted.
Not If YOU run--that's it :"
With one hand ne swung her satchel to
his own grasp, The other clasped her arm.
What a manly. hopeful fellow he was
Lornas pretty feet seemed to skim the
ground. lie lifted her to the steps of the
last car of the train. crowded after her and
got ready to spring back from the moving
car, when Lorna, her hand at the knob of
the door exclaimed:
oh dear. it's locked :"
The strangeness of her position. the
swaying car unnerved her. Her helper read
the situation at glance. got up beside her.
steadied her satChe with his foot and half
surrounded her with a guiding arm.
Don't get nervous" he said in a reassur-
ing tone. THE conductor will soon be here"
Lorna flushed at their necessarily close
contact. She did not edge away, however.
There was a big brother" consideration in
the masterful ways of the handsome young
fellow. She observed. that his attire was
distinctly military, He seemed to read her
thoughts
II must get back to my train when we
stop at the Junction" he explained. Com
pany there. You see, We are on our way to
Mexico"
"Oh. you were not going on this train?'
spoke Lorna. really diSmayed. And | have
put you to all of this trouble"
"Pleasure--honor.' and the train drowned
out some conventional words. and just then
the conductor unlocked the door 4 rose
that Lorna wore fell from her coat Her
escort picked it up and then the satchel
placed it inside the ear and hurried back
to the platform as a crossing was signaled.
AS the train slowed up the young man
jumped off Lorna. at the window. i'm
pusiyely waved her hand to her 'Chivalrous
helper and smiled. He lifted his hat with
one hand. with the other he swept the rose
in his other hand almost to his lips, and
the train rolled on. and Lorna. having time
TO analyze all the situation bushed she
wondered if she had been at all unmaidenly
under the influence of the exciting incidents
of the hour.
Lorna alighted at Blithersdale, with
eager expectancy in her face Then it
clouded A team which she recognized as
belonging to Farmer Dale. neighbor. was
in view and Farmer Dale himself cheerily
ha lied her.
This way, Miss Lorna. The folks asked
me TO look out for you"
But father" began Lorna. anXously.
"Oh. he's well. only busy
And Ginger? Why didn't he send one
of the men with Ginger" asked Lorna.
Ginger? He's gone, you know"
Gone? You don't mean dead :"
"Oh. dear. no He's sold"
Sold? Ginger my pet, the horse we've
had for years Why, he's like one of us
Sold ="
"Yes. Miss Lorna, for a good price and
pany for the Mexican war was raised here
of furnishing horses He came along and
took a fancy to Ginger He offered double
what he was worth. He asked your father
his patriotism. After the animal was gone
your father began to fret and wished he
had Ginger back--on your account
wouldn't worry him by noticing it much if
| were you, Miss Lorna, Your folks feel
dreadfully sorry about it, but that lieuten-
ant was slicker and riled 'em up on duty
to their native land"
"Oh, no. / won't complain" said Lorna.
sorrowfully, but I feel as if some one in
the family had died :"
Then Lorna tried to forget all about
Ginger. But one day she overheard that the
lieutenant who had bought Ginger was
young Floyd Warner down Essex way"
and that he and his company were at BEN
sonvile. Tex. Lorna Immediately wrote TO
Lieutenant Warner.
She told him Of how she valued Ginger