South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-08
BY sara West Chew.

out OF the office without word 10
her, and returned late. All after
noon he went about his work with
a curious citation evident in his man
ner. Every once 30 while he
whistled softly under his breath.
Bessie thought the air resembled the
star Spangled Banner" but she
could not he sure.
When closing hour arrived, he
was off again. five minutes ahead
of time Bessie watched him leave.
too hurt to question why he was
breaking another time honored
habit Never before had he failed
to go for a walk with her after
hours She was at a loss 10 explain
his sudden neglect. Could il be pos
sible that Martin was interested in
another girl? His conduct was err
ratio enough to confirm the worst
suspicious.
As Bessie walked homeward
through Washington's shaded
streets she looked jealousy and re-
sentfully at the loneliness spread
everywhere around her That was
the trouble. Spring had gone to
Martins head and he was off after
some frilly creature who had not
served a term of patient devotion.
She shed a few hot tears; then.
remembering that she must soon
face her mothers inquisitive gaze.
brushed them away and entered the
house with an assumed air of gay
ETY. But Mrs. Dodson was too alb
sorbed in her own thoughts TO no
tice anything amiss with Bessie.
Jim Nolan s gone an joined the
navy" she announced when they
were seated at the supper table.
Has he?" said Bessie, Stimulating
an interest she did not feel
Yes, an his mothers been over
here most all day weepin' an raw
in She's a pacifist anyway Says
faint right 70 send the flower of
our manhood over there to help
them lazy English. I'd a notion to
tell her that Jim Nolan's always
'peared more like a weed than a
posy to me"
Bessie was about 10 reply 10 her
mothers sally at Jim Nolan when
AAAN ANAt EfAAoAlN ans
I'll answer" Bessie said, leav-
ing the table
1t was Martin talking. I'm com
ing right over" he said, a new note
of determination i'm his voice. 1--WE
got so many things TO tell YOU"
What kind OF things" came the
illuminating response You'll see 80
Bessie left the telephone with a
new hope and a new JOY singing
i'm her heart.
Il can't help with the dishes to-
night. mother" she called as she
ran upstairs. And then, because
she was a woman. and because she
knew it was to be her night of
nights. she pat on her prettiest dress
and arranged her fluffy brown hair
in becoming puffs around a flushed,
happy face.
Martin burst into the house with
out his usual timid knock. found
her in the dark. stufy parlor and
kissed her He had kissed her be-
fore, uncertainty and not in this
breath taking fashion.
You've got TO marry me at once,
dearest" he said.
Why" demanded Bessie.
Because I'm accepted and ".
go into training at once"
Accepted You don't mean
Il do, in the army. Just had my
physical examination and skinned
through. Close call. though Doctor
almost threw me out for under
weight"
But. Orval 7 don't understand;
You never told me-
Didn't have time" he broke in
Immediately. rive been on the job
all day. II came 10 me like that
! Che snapped his fingers.l "One OF
/ those sunburned chaps standing by
his little khaki tent did IT, Some
how he was the fulfllment OF what
a man ought 10 be"
He paused and a boyish wistful-
ness came into his face. You
/ know, I've always been cooped up
/ in an Office or a schoolroom or a
| city yard. I'm just a cog. Lord. Us
made a man OF me just knowing
that my body is going to have a
| chance.
But" demurred Bessie. suppose
\ they send YOU 20 the 'FRONT.'"
Suppose they do" he laUghed
gathering her into his arms. "ther
YOU don't want 10 miss this Glance
] 10 be married 20 n hero"
Bessie agreed with him. when she
\ told her mother that the weddlns
would take place within the mex
"a hours Mrs. DOdsou ben canec
Martins enlistment after the fash
ion Of Mrs Nolan.
This war viii take yosT mar