Tensas gazette., 1917-12-28

persons to whom they were written.
The address in each case was on the
envelope. She thought 1t would be
! far better to let the sender know why
the letters had not reached their des-
/ tinatiOn. so she wrote Il short note
with each one telling of the strange
way In which the missives had come
! into her possession. Lauretta hoped
all the people were still in the land of
/ the living and that nothing tragic had
| happened because of the failure of the
letters To reach their destinations.
From five Of the messages Lauretta
| received most charming answers. A
correspondence began with one of the
young men, which later rlpened into
warm friendship. He had posted his
| letter while rushing along the highway
and had wondered at its fate. He told
Lauretta all about 1t in his reply. but,
urged by curiosity regarding the girl
who had been interested enough TO
rcmail the letters. he stopped to see
her the very first time his machine
| Skidded along the Cedar Swamp road.
Lauretta and her parents We're all
three delighted with Frank Joyce.
Lauretta's romantic spirit had pro-
duced many such episodes in the Car
son household.
They were all four sitting out under
the great gnarled apple tree having
cooling drinks. when huge yellow car
stopped at the gate.
Lauretta'S father went forward TO see
who the new arrival was. He smiled
genially when he discovered the good
looking stranger to be on the same
mission as Joyce.
Jimmy Gains glanced swiftly over
the group under the apple tree, and
approved most decidedly to Lauretta.
He cast an unnppreciative' glance at
the recumbent Joyce, and pondered
darkly as to his identity.
Lauretta smiled when Jimmy Gains
Joined the unconventional circle and
coniided his reasons for coming.
THE letter that l posted in that
box" he said, frankly, was proposal
to a girl. l WAS mighty upset at get
ting no reply, and have been dashing
all over the country trying to forget
the girl"
There was sympathy in Mrs. Car
sons mOtherly expression, but Jimmy's
eyes seemed happily fOrgetful now
that they had rested upon Lauretta.
IL wish there had been dozens and
dozens of letters more In that box"
laughed Lauretta.
'And couple of dozen cars block
ing the highway" Joyce insinuated,
and Lauretta had the grace to blush.
Jimmy Gains glowered at Joyce.
Jimmy had an odd feeling that Lau-
retta was going to be the next and
last recipient of Il proposal from him.
Things happened suddenly with jim
my. Already he had thanked the imps
of fate that had failed to give him
Blanche Markham. He had known
only passing love for her.
"Well, l am lucky that ignorance
led me to posting my letter in your
box" Joyce said. 81 say, why don't
YOU put the old box back again? You
may catch some more messages and
have u sort of private mailing system
and friendship-maker combined"
Bright head" laughed Lauretta
81 will put it back at once"
at is using government property for
fraudulent purposes" Jimmy put in,
peevishy fearful of whom Lauretta
ght draw next into her net.
IF this is the result of fraudulent
purposes" laughed Joyce, gazing at
Lauretta. may we all become frauds.
I'm sorry you're not satisfied old
chap" he added by way of rousing
Jimmy's wrath.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carson exchanged an
amused glance. Lauretta went off in
search of the box and more iced tea.
Il am so satisfied" retorted Jimmy,
that I'll bet you I'll be married
army officer before you're even in
khaki"
Before further words fell from as
tonished lips, Lauretta returned.
"The government property Is no
longer government property. A tiny
wren has taken possession of the old
mail box. and / haven't the heart to
dispossess her. A little bird has saved
me from further blocking the high
way" She looked mOckingly at jim
my. "Well, has bomb exploded
here?
YES" said Jimmy. grimly. and
gazed trlumphantly at Joyce. land I've
taken the first enemy trench"
'Go to 1t. old man." Joyce said.
I'VE don't wear khaki in the navy, nor
do we have trenches to take. I'm
married, so can't enter the race"
Jimmy found a sudden liking for
Joyce. He grinned and extended an
apologize hand. II fell so suddenly"
he confided. and scant month later
told Lauretta of his fall.
rd