The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-05-17
GOOD COURAGE
BY AGNES q. BRoGAN.


table, into space.
His. was a handsome face beneath
wavy hair, even the somber eyes could
not detract from its frank charm.
Gold day." volunteered a big man
at his side, he ceased writing abrupt
ly, his eyes seeking almost hungrily
the speakers face.
Yes" he answered eagerly, cold
up in my boarding place too. That's
why / came down here. Going away
tonight to camp"
"So?" asked the big man. "Spose
all your folks Will be down to speed
the parting hero
NO" the soldier replied you see
l don't happen to have-any folks.
Mother and dad both died-last year.
Broke up the home pretty sudden.
Couldn't stand it there, afterwards, 50
came on to get a new position here"
His voice dropped huskily. CITY
boarding houses aren't much like your
real home" he added.
"So?" said the big man again. His
tone lacked interest, furtively during
the youths quick confidence, his eyes
had been scanning his paper. We'll
good night; good luck to YOU
The face of the man in uniform re-
sumed its tense lines, his lips curved
cynically. HE should worry" he
muttered.
81 beg your pardon" said a voice
nearby, were you speaking to meF
The soldier turned hastily. Behind
him. looking over the book shelves
stood girl. as she ended her ques-
ton she came directly, taking the va
Gated seat.
81 was grumbling to myself" the
man murmured confusedly.
The girl before him was such pref
ty girl, her eyes were all aglow with
the sympathy for which his very soul
had hungered, her cheeks and lips
were glowing, too, against the back
ground of her furs. But with an alb
sence of all self consciousness she
looked back at him, her tone was d.
rect and impersonal.
~ heard all you were saying to that
man." she said, land l want to tell
you that l am sorry. Have you no
friends in the city2"
The soldier shook his head. Il
have been here such little while"
"Nor back there, where your home
was?
Perhaps 1t is my fault that they
have overlooked me-" he admitted. Il
| ant tn
my loss, and came away without even
saying good-by. Everything seemed SO
different"
The girl nodded. "Well, 1t doesn't
much matter" she said brightly. "You
will have many friends with you, COM
sympathy uniting you all. OH"
she caught her breath and the man
thrilled at her vibrant words, at Is
such a glorious, wonderful thing to
do. putting your life at your country's
service. See here" impulsively she
leaned forward. II have been knit
| ting things, sweaters, helmets, mufflers,
for soldiers whom | shall never know,
or see. Why can't l do the same for
you? And write you letters? Would
that help?" She laughed softly. my
friends tell me that l have a perfect
genius for letter writing. You might
ask me about anything special you
wished to know, either here, or-where
was your homer"
Pennington" he announced me-
chanically, his eyes watched hypnoti-
cally her inspiring face.
81 could get the Pennington papers"
she went on, land mail them with my
letters. 1t will be such a comfort to
me, to feel that | am really helping
ever so little. Why" she threw out
her hands, this is my one actual OPP
portunity."
eyes, the natty collar was raised in
true soldier style. How could you do
all that for stranger?" he asked won
dering, you who know nothing about
me-"
Nothing about you'll" repeated the
girl, she stood and looked at him
across the book-laden table. then point
ed to the tiny symbolic guns of his
uniform. "There are your credentials"
she said softly. what more need /
know of a man who goes to offer his
life for my safetyl''
"Your safetyl' the soldier whis-
pered. He too, arose, and stood look
Ing down upon her as one who sud
denly sees a vision. "That is true"
he said slowly, that makes it worth
while.'
Our country said the girl.
"Our country" the man repeated,
and their hands met and clasped.
Briskly the girl picked up her muff.
"At what time do you leave tonight?"
she asked. He told her.
81 shall be at the station to see you
Off" she said, land to bid you good
courage You might write your name
and address for me now" she suggest
ed Mine will come in the first let
ter" And as the regimental train
moved out of the station that evening
soldier with the light of victory In
his eyes turned for last look at
girl who stood cheerfully waving.
Mighty pretty girl" remarked a
cop,-pdo aCoipp IN marry har9r