The Press., 1918-06-20

iron proposal without hurting the lads feel ings or destroying their friendship. For. after all, thought Ann, they had grown up together as neighbOrS. and there had always been a friendly feel ing between the two families, though of late years the social intercourse had been confined chiefly to the young s.peOple save for an occasional cross the-fence chat between Mrs. Regen and Ann's mother.
 They were on a quiet side street now and her prayer seemed hopeless when, inst as Tommy started to resume his confidence, the hOaven-sent interrup- tiOn occurred. The interruption was just q pair of lovers strOlling along arm in arm-a scene old as the ages, vet ever Interestingly new to observed aa well as to observers. The youth was clad in khaki and he carried him. self with a jaunty, conscious air of pride that found eager reflection In the admlrinE maid at his side.
 Ann and Tommy turned to look after them. Who can resist a backward kA@MCG &k RSAG VA A~NShSt
 "Ohw sighed Ann, doesn't he look splendidT
 And then valor tweaked dtscretion'S ears and rushed into the fray.
 "HOw can you stay at home and let folks call you stacker, when all these brave fellows are giving up their homes, their wOrk-yes even their Hives, to make our homes, our work and our lives SsfsH You've told me be- fore that you loved ne, but l don't want to hear you say 1t again, for I'll never marry a stacker. Never! Oh, how I wish had been . manV
 And to Tommy's cOnsternatIon Am started to cry. He waited until her SObs had ceased, then said: s, But look here, Am, I want te tell you"
 "Oh, what's the use of arguing about 1t now2" queried Ann wearily. There's only one way for q mana strong, healthy young fellow like yOu-tO prove his patriotism. If you won't do 1t, your friends can't force you to-"
 This was the proper cue for q diEnt- fled exit, and as at this precise moment they reached the front gate of Ann'S home she murmAred a brief good night" and left him abruptly.
 TOmmy'S voice, still maddeningly cheerful, called after her: If you hap pen to feel like the movies tonight, darlint, don't forget my phone num- ber."
 ;. And Ann could hear him tramping up his own front steps whistIing:
 Keep the home fires burning"
 "Yes, you'll keep them burning all right" she spftefuuy apOstrophized him, as she entered the house and clammed the door with q vigorous bang that brought her mother hurryinE from the dining room, whore supper was just sending forth its savOry invita- tiOn.
 "Why, deariO, you came in like a cyclone. No villain pursuing you, is thNre?" And Mrs. Donovan laughed expectantly, for she and this only daughter of hers were chums and shared a sense of rich Irish humor.
 Nothing, mother. I'm just a little tired and hungry, guess, and supper smells so good. I'm ready, if 1t iS."
 "All right. But, Ann, did you hear about Tommy Began! His mother was over this afternoon and told me about 1t, She cried aRd cried, but she's SO proud of him, and she says he's 90 anxious to go, and"
 "What, aothor1 Tommy ~haSn't-' / Enlisted! Yes, he has," exclaimed Mrs. Donovan, dabbinG at a furtivO tear with the corner. of her apron. , That's just what Tommy has gone and done. She told ma all about how he's felt ever since this war started; how 1t hurt him to see the other fellows marching off when he had to stay at home"
 "Well, why did he have to stay at hOme?" interrupted Ann. "Of course know 1t would leave his mother alone, but Mir. Regan must have left quite lot of money when he died"
 "But he didn't" exclaimed her mother. Everyone thought so, but 1t appears that he Speculated heavily, not only with. his own money, but with some that had been intrusted to his care. His sudden death was . result of the shock of losing everything, and Tommy, who was just starting out to make his way in the world, promised his father that he wONld see that the funds which had been misused were re- placed, though 1t took years of self denial on his part. His mother says he has stuck manfuly to his promise and has done everything possible to re- store his fathers honor, but 1t seemed such a hopeless task"
 Mrs. Donovan paused for breath.
 ''GO on, mother" prompted Ann.
 Well what do you think? Some of that mining stock has turned out to be valuable after all. There wasn't any gold in the mines, but they have found something elSG-tungsten, I be- lieve it Is called-that is worth nearly as much. Anyway, they can pay OR all their debts and Tommy will know that his mother is well taken care of, even If he's away off in France. She said after he made sure he didn't waste a minute getting down to the recruiting headquarters"
 Ann started for the telephone.
 "Where are you going?" asked her mother, with the kindly inquisitiveness of those near and dear.
 Ann looked around the cozy living room with a speculative eye.
 Tommy wanted me to call him up. But l wonder if we wouldn't rather stay at home than go downtown to- night? I'm kind of tired of the movies myself"