The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1917-10-05
NO.33.

GeHtiu VI EuIupe.
Violet smiled through the tears that
had forced their way into her eyes. Il
won't be long, dear, and I'm taking a
basket of our lovely iiIaes and snow
balls" She kissed her mother and
walked down the gravel path to the
gate and out along the country road
to the cemetery that had been q land
mark long before Violet and her moth
er had come to MarIOnville, Ia, from
their home in England.
John Nash, the son and brother, had
answered the call Of his country and
had gone to battle. He had never re-
ttirfed, and only the news Of his brave
death had come 10 the family.
Today, when flags were at half-maHt
for the heroes Of other wars, Violet
felt that she must go somewhere, do,
something, in memory of her dear.
brother. The only thing that seemed
to be possible would be to take iOw-,'
ers to the grave of some other soldier
and place them there in memory OF her
brother.
On 40 old stone, gray and weather
james Evans" Here was a man
named. as had been her brother. The
Inscription told her that the man died
hero in the Civil war.
Violet knelt down and began to ar
fiHgs clusters of white and purple ~
lacs neaf the AeadstOne. Tears finally
streamed dowh her cheeks and she
sat down upon the grass and tried to
control her emotion.
When she stood up q man stood be-
side her. He held a pot Of flowers,
old-fashioned blooms. He was looking
ut the flowers on the grave.
"Did you do that?" he asked Violet,
tf8fet hOdded.
"John james EYans was my grand
father" he said. ''i- come every year.
1t is good of you" he said. His look
questioned her further.
81 saw no flowers on the grave" VI
Olet said softly, and 1 wanted to deco
rate the resting place Of some brave
hero today" she said. "Afy-gDY broth
er was lost few months ego frs
| Ft8Hee; Sighting with English troops,
for Olif country We are English"
John James Etans-fOr he was the
third Of that maine in hfs family
looked down at her and noted the ex-
duslte beauty of her face, teaf'stained
though 1t was. "It was good Of JOu
10 pick out my grandfather's grave"
he said, hardly knowing what to say.
Violet shook her head. ITS nothing
to yOu, Of Course" she said. "But
1t has done me good, and 1t has spared
mother the pain of seeing me give way
60 weeping. just had TO, for mother
and | hnve tried so hard to bear up
for each otheF--oh, so hard" she said.
After that there was long silence
during which neither young person
seemed to know what to do or say.
"Would you let me take you homer
John Evans finally asked.
81 don't go far" she protested.
81 have my little ruDabOut just out
side and Tn sure your mother
wouldn't mind" he explained.
Violet looked in his eyes for mo-
ment. "NO-I don't believe she would.
We don't know very many Americans.
for we have kept much 10 ourselves.
Do you live In Marionville?" she asked.
as she rose.
"NO-in CedartOwn, five miles be-
yond. have drug store there and It
seems to be so successful that can't
get away"
When Violet reached her own gate
she insisted that John come in and ex-
plain to her mother how 1t had come
about.
Mrs. Nash, naturally reserved, looked
surprised, but the straightforward look
in the young mans eyes and the gen
cral manner of him seemed to reassurO
her, as 1t had reassured Violet.
"Well be glad to have you join us
in a glass of cold buttermllk, II you
care to wait" Mrs. Nash said, after
few moments.
ADO stay" urged Violet.
And John Evans did stay. He
thought he had never seen anyone m
the world so beadSful as this little
English girl.
Violet walked to the gate with him
when he was able to take his depart
ure. "Mother and / will be glad to
see you at any time" she said, shyly.
"Thank you, / she'll come, Miss
Nash" he said, formally.
my good old granddad was always
my guardian angel" John James Ev-
ans said to himself on the way home.
copyright. 1917. by the Mcclure N@Nz-