Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-10-05

From Lucile's Diary


Leaving my suitcase IN The station. /
strolled thru the village To their pref
u home in the most casual way.
why. Lucille" Carol-Mrs. Nodine
exclaimed when she looked up from
the ypuns carrots she was thinning
and saw NE standing by her side.
where did you drop trom?''
From the dull and smoky town"
| answered.
My glance Travelled from the masses
OF purple and white lilac bloom lnat
Aedged IN the far end OF the saSden 10
lie torset-me-notS and lilies OF the
valley that bordered the path. Aren't
you lucky 10 live in this PARADISE
Yes, lucky TO live and work in it,
said Carol. rising from her knees and
pulling of her earthly gloves. "and /
am very glad to share 1t with you for
little while. Lucille, because you
do look rather pale and worn"
IL was snippy OF Carol to welcome
me with an allusion TO my pallor.
am sure that look much fresher and
younger than she does. despite her
yaunted country life.
AS soon as my suitcase comes UP
from the station III put on my land
army uniform and help you all the
afternoon told her. Il designed my
own uniform The knickerbockers and
Norfolk jacket are awfully chic"
Il dare say" said Carol, but don't
get into them this afternoon, Lucille,
for l shall not be working in the gar
den. go TO the Red Cross after
lunch
You'll excuse ME from that, won't
you? That wouldn't be any change for
me | might as well be home II I'm
folding gauze. You understand how
feel, Gon'; y0a %
Yes, perfectly. Lucille. You can
rest and read while I'm at the Red
Cross. Make yourself at home IN
every way"
Thank you. Carol | replied CRATE
fully. and did invite my soul for
TWO hours in the afternoon. Then,
becoming a bit bored, went out.
doors to find something TO do. was
| delighted to see in the wood lot be-
hind the garden an enormous pile of
leaves.
Just the thing said to myself
gayly. III have lovely big bonfire,
and get rid of all this heap for Carol.
| lighted it Immediately. for | adore
the pungent odor OF burning leaves.
had rake to stir them and had
been enjoying myself hugely when l
heard Carol calling me excitedy.
How did they get on flre?' she
asked breathlessly as she came run.
ming to my side.
Il lighted them. Isn't it a glorious
bonfire"
ION, Lucille, why did you do that?"
ITO burn them for you, OF course
But Tom and | were saving them
for compost. Rotted leaves enrich the
soil wonderfully, and now they're
| just about all gone. Oh, dear, what
will Tom say? We must put out the
| fire before any more Of the trees are
injured"
"lnjured?" repeated.
Yes, don't you see. Lucille, that all
the tender young foliage in the trees
around this fire is getting frizzled and
wilted. We can carry water from the
pump. The garden hose won't reach
so far"
Carrying pals and pals Of water
did not appeal to me as very in
teresting form of exercise. but Of
course, had to help her put out the
fire Tom came home while We were
still at it, and he looked question
at Carol
They got lighted by-by mistake"
she explained.
And look at those trees. don't
believe they will ever recover. Our
efforts at scientific gardening don't
seeln to be highly successful" he re-
marked GROSSLY. He took the pail
from Carol. Dear, you look all in.
III finish UP this fire in short order
He scarcely greeted me at all, and
neither OF them appeared to notice
that | was almost exhausted. 1t is
really trying to be with people who
are so sefishly wrapped up in each
Carol went to bed Immediately al
ter dinner, because, as Tom explained
the smoke had hurt her eyes and
made her head ache. He apologized
for having to devote his time to some
government blue prints, and ! hac
such a dreary evening that decided
to take the opportunity to get some
extra beauty sleep, and went to bee
myself before 10,
When found the next morning
that Tom had gone to the city ant
Carol was still in her room with hel
headache, hastily gathered charm
ing big bunch Of lilacs. and leaving
note for her, took the mid.mornint
train for home. felt that Carol hat
not made the effort to get w and en-
terrain me that guest might proper
ly expect. have always thought tina
she babies herself unnecessarily.