The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-09-14

which large picture of Uncle San
with arms outstretched pleaded, "Bt
a Patriot. Go TO Work on Farm.
The listless expression on Murray'S
fface changed to one of interest, ant
he exclaimed, "Why not?" and rushed
out of the room, much to the amaze
ment of the other occupants.
At a desk in tiny Office in one OF
the downtown buildings sat a rather
frail, pretty girl, eating meager
lunch and scanning newspaper.
A frown marred her forehead as she
seemed to be doing some mental figur-
ing. mo" she decided hopelessly. 81
can't afford vacation, and I'm so
afraid that / won't be able to stand
the heat"
She turned back to the paper, and
for the first time she noticed the out
stretched finger of Uncle Sam pointed
straight at her, it seemed, with the
words underneath: BE Patriot.
Spend Your Vacation on Farm"
Renewed hope showed in every line
of face and figure, as she reached for
a sheet of paper to slip into her type
writer.
Ruth Merton" she told herself,
"you are going to be a farmerette."
-
In the dining room OF a tiny farm.
house Murray Benton paused to OBJ
serve himself, resplendent in new over.
alls and jumper, before joining the new
'boss."
AS he started to leave the room he
heard feminine voices under the win
dow.
'Farmerettes," he sniffed, scorn-
fully. But the conversation that float
ed up to him made him stand stock
still.
Ibid you see the new arrival, girls?"
laughed one. isn't he a sketch?"
Looks like an animated string bean,
doesn't hep
"What's he doing on a farm, any
ways?" questioned another Doing
wOmens work, when he ought to be
wearing khaki~er blue"
So the anything but f1attering COM
ments flew fast and furious, while
Murray, the most popular and sought
after man in his set, listened above
them.
Suddenly one little girl, who had not
spoken before, flashed up you girls
should be ashamed of yourselves, max
ing fun of the poor chap. II you had
looked at him you would have seen
that he is in rundown condition,
not fit for active service. How do we
know but what he is here recuperat-
ing so that he can join later on? You
might at least have given him the ben
eft of the doubt" And she walked
away, head high and cheeks flaming,
as her Outburst was as much a sur
prise TO herself as to her companions.
As she WSEked down the little lane
hurrying footsteps sounded behind her.
As she turned she met the smiling eyes
of Murray Benton.
Miss Merton (you see. have found
out your name from the 'boss), | want
to thank you very much for your kind
defense of an unknown. And / want
also to tell you that you guessed right
when you said l wasn't At. Ive-tried
every branch, and they've thrown me
down, so | guess that all I'm esuti for
Is 'women's woE1,' as your friend said"
Perhaps a summer out of doors will
put YOU into condition again." she
answered.
II hope So" he answered. II do
want to get into real service, but
at her in manner that made
Ter color very chsrmiDgly-rm mighty
glad that | happened to come here"
On cool October day Doctor Gren- !
lille stood looking down on the busy |
lreet when a resounding whack on his /
hould~r made him vince. and he !
urned TO see who his boisterous Wis. I
tor was.
At sight of the tall, bronzed young
nan in khaki, he gasped:
Murray Benton!'
Sergeant Benton, at your service"
aughed his visitor.
The doctor then became aware Of
econd visitor. charming young lady,
slose pink cheeks grew still pinker at /
he medical mans wondering gaze.
Doc, l want you to meet Miss Ruth