Gilpin observer., 1918-12-05
|WEYLAND'S BIG DAY
BY MARION c. LEEsAM.
jcopyright. 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)

NNSopyElSHt, 1910, Dy MCOluTe NeWSpdpcE
Syndicate.)
The little town of Weyland was GER
tainly in a fever of excitement-and
why not? Tomorrow was to be "Mili-
5ary day" and all the fellows who had
left that town for the service of Uncle
Sam We're invited home to be treated
as honored guests. OF course there
were some already "Over there" who
could not attend, but others were Mt
nearby camps and schools and the peO-
pie of the town volunteered to go in
their own machines and bring the boys
home.
eff 1t is only fair day." said Ruth
Merrill to her mother. "If 1t rains, 1t
will spoil the whole thing"
"Don't be pessimistic, Ruth, dear. I
guess it will not rain, it's such beau
tiful evening. BY the way, will Robert
Foster be able to come homer"
II hardly think So and moreover I
don't care whether he comes home or
not"
Robert Foster was one of Ruth's old
ssweethearts, but year ago they had
quarreled and Bob had enlisted. Ruth
Nuo loO IIouu W ElNt anu 81 was
Bob, hence the quarrel had never been
patched up.
"Why, Ruth, this Is no time to be
thinking of petty quarrels," said her
mother. "It's shame for you and
Bob to act So"
Mrs. Merrill put her neatly darned
stockings into the basket. thinking
deeply all the while. "There is moth
ing l can do" she thought. "Better
let things straighten out themselves"
The next day dawned fair and warm
and Ruth got up with happy feeling
in her heart. Something was going to
happen to her that day, but what she
knew not. There was to be a parade
in the morning; then in the afternoon
81 banquet, and last of all dance in
the evening.
1t was during the parade that Ruth's
heart beat rapidly, as she saw in the
third formation the tall figure of En-
sign Robert Foster. "My, how manly
he looks" Ruth thought, but then she
turned her eyes away for they were
passing by and he might look at her.
81 won't speak first" she said to her
but ldlt lihu
emily. About five o'clock Ruth hustled
over to help wait on table. She had
about fifteen hungry fellows to serve
and she hurried lest some should be
kept waiting. Everything went fine.
ill Ruth, with a cup of ceffce in one
hand and plate of chicken salad in
the other, went to place them in front
of one young man, who Immediately
turned and looked up into her face.
Ruth had not expected Bob at her
sable, and the shock was too much.
Anyway, the coffee landed somewhere
In Bob's lap, and dismayed little girl
ran frantically out of the room.
81 shan't so in again." she sobbed to
one of the girls. II spoiled his white
.siiit, and he looked so nice"
After much teasing Ruth was per-
suaded to 90 to the dance but she took
pains to keep out of Bob's way. She
avoided him all evening by dancing
with other fellows but one dance came
when Ruth was without partner, and
Bob, seeing his chance, sauntered over,
Ruth got through the dance, but few
words We're spoken. At the beginning
OF the encore Bob led her out of the
hail, and they walked in the still NOON
light until the dance music was only
family heard.
Then Bob turned and took Ruth
sguaroly by the shoulders. "L..tle
sweetheart, let's forget everything and
start again. Since training down
south have had time to think things
over, and l certainly missed my little
girls letters TO keep away that home
sex feeling"
Ruth softly squeezed Roh's hand. -
i've been sorry, too" she said; hut
thought you had forgotten me. Then
when ! bluudered and spilled the cof-
fee felt that was the finishing touch"
"rhat's the least of my troubles;
',1t, dear, I'm going TO sea in "A couple
-nf weeks, so We must be happy and
make the best of our time together"
1t was much happier girl who, two
weeks later, said goodby to Bob.
"rl be back soon, dear: so don't
worry" and, kissing her tendcrly, Bob
went away.
Ruth waved until he was out Of
sight. Then, with tears In her eyes.
she looked down at the ring on her
third finger and pressed it TO her lips.