South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-03


Of the prettiest Of the many pretty
/ faces in the rooms. hummed happily
as she placed vases filled with flow
ers or patted refractory pillows into
place.
Everything looks too new" she
complained 10 Mrs Hoskius. the
hostess. Il think the boys will be
afraid OF chairs that look as though
they had never been sat in and
games and magazines that haven't
been touched"
Don't worry. my dear" Mrs.
Hoskins laughed "A few hours use
Of the new cushions and little
handling of the games win make
them look ages old. I do not think
our soldiers viii be so particular as
TO mind "a little newness."
A last look i'm the mirror. a pat
at an unmanageable curl that would
stray down under the white cap.
pull at the blue canteen apron, and
Antoinette was ready.
The first evening proved 70 be
wonderful success. Soldiers AMI
sailors and marines took advantage
I
AntOinette finished with serving, was
! chatting gaily with a group of in
terested soldiers.
you are always so happy" Mrs.
HOskins told her as she babe her
good night. IT am sure YOU haven't
trouble in the world"
Antonette smiled over the words
as she hurried homeward. Not one
trouble" Wen. she did have much
to be thankful for. Of course, but
: there was one serious drawback to
lher happiness Jerry O'Neali
They had been such good friends
wears ago, six years, to be exact
They had met in the south where
Antoinette was~ visiting. and that
summer Jerry had spent his vacation
i'm Antoinette's city. She had grown
20 care very much for Jerry. He
was splendid i'm nearly every way,
but no had one serious drawback:
The wanderlust seized him at inter
2 walls and he was off. no one know
? where But always. once a year at
, least he spent some time with An
2 toinettc You're my anchorage.
The told her. 81 have to come back
TO YOU"
Then somehow. AntOinette never
could explain. Jerry's visits and his
/ letters ceased and ne went ont OF
! her life completely She had met
many men since then. had many
o good friends. but none OF them
could take Jerry's place. She Won
dered where he might be-serving
, his country. Of that she was sure.
Jerry would never be a Stacker.
At the canteen next evening. she
1 was carving i'm a loaded tray when
she became uncorlfortably conscious
that. somewhere IN the room. sol
dier's eyes were fastened upon her.
] still when she looked about all OF
: them apparently were busy with
their plates
/ "Im getting morbid and imagin-
! ing things" Antoinette said to her
: self. but the feeling persisted. Her
o. tables served she stood nearby
4 looking at each soldier IN turn. but
I finding NO aCquain ance among
e. them. Jerry. of course, came 10 her
4 mind. but he had been good looking
4 with brown ewes and that auburn
I shade of red hair" Antoinette had
q always been quick 10 explain. and
e among the men there was none With
. uburn hair One did attract her at
e tention: tall and slim. something
q like Jerry as to figure, but gray
e haired and disfgured by an insight
y " scar which covered one side Of his
f face. Antoinette found herself
r watching him intentlv Suddenly she
a started-he was talking 10 the man
D across the table and he was making
a gestures. Just such gestures as Jerrv
t used to make and about which she
had always teased him. She re
= membered his remark. IT couldn't
talk if my hands were cut off" But
! Jerry looking like this 1t couldn't
| / he POSSIBLE As the men at his table
rose TO leave the room. she station
! ed herself at the door and watched
! the man intently. He came toward
, her carelessly enough until just
n / about TO pass her when his hand
u went up 20 the hideous scar and he
p flushed holly. Then Antoinette knew.
I "T am sorry 10 see YOU have for
gotten old friends Jerry" she said
X quietly. ct have better memory,
s YOU see"
Unable TO ignore her outstretched
il hand. the man took it I'm a very cold
S one.
h 81 had hoped YOU wouldn't know
me" he said.
- Then YOU shouldn't have gazed
s al me so hard when 7 wasn't look
n ing" Antoinette laughed. 81 feel as
n though someone was boring holes I'm
2. my back. It's not like YOU 10 hide
r Jerry. You used TO play i'm the open
-" she began 90 be interrupted by
y Jerry's hot
= And YOU can look at me and ask
- why I hide" Then at Antoinette's
panied EXPRESSION he added more
z. gently. Perhaps if 2 could talk TO
- YOU I could explain many things"
As they walked toward Antoin-
n cites home. Jerry's voice was the
only one 60 be heard
And SO / found nv TT Dorado at
las but my gold had turned TO