The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-02
EVENING STORY
A Peace Offering.
~rs \


GRAY had long been enemies. The
feud had not started over any dis
pute about territorial boundaries, al
though their lots adjoined, nor had it
been handed down from another gen.
Grafton over a difference in politics.
although old Henry Wardwell and
ELIAS GRAY had never been able to
hit it off on the tariff nor the Monroe
doctrine.
No, the doctor and Miss ErTninle
had a difference all their own, Whlch
started when Miss Erminie was SICK
one time and the doctor had lnsiSteo
on her taking codliver oil to build hsr
up, and she had insisted upon refusing
it as well as the eggnogs he prescribed
in conjunction with the other MISS
Erminie had always hated eggs, ana
she couldn't bear. milk. and she simply
couldn't swallow codliver oil.
you've just got to, Ermtnie.y the
doctor had declared. YOU'RE nervous
and anaemic and everything you ought
not to be, and I'm not going to stand
by and let you die.
IF I do, it's my own affair"
Not while I'm your doctor"
''I'u die anyway. If 1 had to takes
those awful doses I'd be dead il two
days. So I'm going to die com
NO, you're not going to die at all.
AS long as I'm your doctor you'll nave
to do as l say
And what If 1 don't?''
He spread his hands and shrugged
slightly.
suppose" she had replied
What else can ! do?'
well, there are other doctors in
town, Tom Wardell. You don't have
to waste your time on me. Good
, morning"
Now, Erminie. 1 didn't say that"
But she would not reply nor look at
him again, so he picked up his hat
left.
Erminie began to pick up suspic-
iously after that She put on pounds
of flesh, her eyes frightened, the
bloom came back to her cheeks. and
her lips no longer looked like parch-
ment. But what she kept locked in
! her closet no one could have told
\ but the local apothecary, and why she
/ suddenly became such a\good Gus
| toner of the Farm and Dairy Produce
Company no one knew save Sarah, the
maid.
But when she had tonsilitis she
sent for old DIR. Bradner. That was
the only time she had been really i'll
| in the two years since the trouble.
But that was enough.
DR.. Wardwell lifted his hat when
brought face to face with his COM
bative neighbor, and Miss Erminie
bowed stiffly But never a word
| passed between Them
She was away all of the second
! summer and returned in September.
/ The days were hot and oppressive, and
she sat out on the porch a great deal
| of the time. knitting on gray or khaki
| colored yarns, meant for the snappy
| months ahead when the boys across
the water would need them. She had
about completed her second set-a
4 sleeveless sweater, knitted helmet,
scarf and a pair of wristlets. Into the
soft, even stitches went many loving
| thoughts of young men she knew who
| were going away. At the same time
! her heart beat strongly with true, loyal
4 patriotism and a godspeed for those
so manfu1y doing their duty. She
wondered who would wear the. things
I she was making. n
| The afternoon paper was flung up
4 on the porch. landing at her feet. She
stopped eagerly and picked it up,
anxiously scanning the names of those
to go. And then in a section by itself
/ she read. "Noted Local Physician
Commissioned. To leave for France in
/ Four Weeks. DIR. Thomas Wardwell
Called to the Colors." There wasn't
much more, merely a confirmation of
the heading
The paper fell at her feet UNDECIDED.
Her eyes stared before her into space
| her knitting slipped off her knee. She
knew now-she'd known all along
that she was mean and contemplate
spite, hoping all the time that he
would make the overture for peace.
She realized. too, that what she had
done had hurt him beyond repair. and
yet she had expected him to be the one
| to bridge the gulf.
! And he was going to war--to help
save men and souls--out there per-
haps in No Mans land from whence
few come back. And she would be
left at home to nurse her pitiful spite.
hot Gha hated harGzlff
Just then a paper blew over out
of the doctors yard-a brown wrap
ping paper which had come
postal package. It bore his name.
4 lay spread below her Then Miss
! Eminie suddenly had an inspiration.
I The last wooden set was just finished
and she determined that DR.. Ward7
well should wear the things without
/ an idea of the donor.
+ She flew indoors with the paper,
/ deftly wrapped the pieces and tied
| them securely, with the name and adj
dress IN full view. Then she ran
over ard laid it in the doctors vesti-
Z bule- He'd think the postT1an had
| brought it, when he returned from
his calls.
/ But not so. Just as she turned. the
door opened and a strong arm drew
her into the haH.
"Erminie!" The Doctors voice
shook. What are you doing?"
"I-why I just brought a little
peace offering. And / want you to
know I'm sorry for everything
The tears were coming
Look here, dear girl, we've both
been foolish, but that's over nows
We've wasted good years, and I've
loved you all the time. Inn. going
away dear. and I'm coming back. OF
course But ia be happier If I
thought you were waiting fer me.
Tell me. do you think you could love
me, Erminie?"
II always have" she sobbed softly