Graham guardian., 1918-01-18
THE GOOSE GIRL.
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BY LOUISE OLIVER.

blCN LONtIl III his ueW uiilOfHl OI
khaki felt very queer and lonely as
the special" pulled out Of the sta
ton.
First, soldering was new business
to him. The rcd, white and blue silk
cord on his hat testified to that, for
that Is the insignia of the officer stu
dent who has yet to work for and earn
his commission.
Second, every man on the train
had had anywhere from one to twenty
people tc see him off, except Dick.
But it had all come up so suddenly!
And with the family out in the Cana.
dian Rockies, not person had been
there to wish him God-speed.
Things settled down in the rain
after departure. Men searched for
friends, found them, talked while
and then retired to their own Sec
ton to read, smoke, talk or play
cards, as the spirit moved them.
Dick knew some of the men slightly.
but did not feel inclined to talk. The
feeling Of isolation. had gripped him
hard.
The train slid away, making very
few stops, save at functions and
large towns, where new recruits got
on.
Suddenly there was lurch and
stop at place where no stop was
evidently intended--that Is, where no
stop was marked on regular sched-
ules for either through or commut-
Ing trains. But ever after Dick knew
Dominions an order had gone out for
the train to stop right there beside
a meadow In which sheep were
placidly grazing, row of gray geese
were clumsily and hastily retreating--
and beautiful Sray-eyed girl in blue
gingham was looking over fence.
Right then and there something
Topped into the void in Dicks heart.
And when through the open window
his eyes finally held hers and she
smiled and nodded in quite friendly
manner, he ceased cropping In that
bOttOmless region of loneliness.
The engine whistled then and pre-
pared TO depart. Good luck!" she
called. 1t was meant for Dick.
"Much Obliged" he called back, ap-
probation showing in his eyes.
''Where are you going?" asked the
girl, as the train didn't move.
Georgia." said Dick. "Fort Ogle-
thorpe"
"Oh," said the girl. "that's splendid.
/ know lots of people there"
The train whistlcd again warningly,
and the procession Of geese, which had
taken courage and returned to the
fence, started on their second retreat.
Suddenly the girl stopped and pick
ed up the big, fat leader in her arms,
and protesting. Before
Dick knew what she was doing. she
was over the fence, holding her Of
fering up to his window.
"Here, take her for mascot" she
said, kissing the top of the astonished
and indignant fowls head. "Call her
iNUlltSllHt, Shc otlus
katherine it is" answered Dick,
He knew that she knew
he had asked her name and been given
1t.
The engine whistled again. This
time the train pulled out, with wav-
ings and good-bys. Dick, dasping
Katherine tightly in his arms, felt like
singing for pure Joy.
Days, weeks, months of hard train
Ing ensued. There were hours Of dis
and homesickness and
for what was ahead.
But the old gray goose, the COM
pany mascot, was real source Of
comfort to the young man who
thought often Of the real gray-eyed
Katherine, somewhere up In Ohio.
One day---a Sunday afternoon, when
he was off duty and feeling particu-
larly lonely--he had picked up the
goose and gone off down the road.
Later one Of his captains coming up
quietly and unexpectedly, heard him
talking to some one, and peering over
the fence, found Dick addressing his
pet.
katherine, you're the most ador-
able person I ever saw. Your eyes
heavens, such eyes! can't sleep for
thinking of them. And your smile
! wonder If I'll ever see you smile
again? I must see you. I've got to
see you, that's all, If hunt the
world over. I'm going to be made n
Katherine, because you wish
ed me good luck. I've worked for
you-.-just for you. Really"
"Hey, you" called the captain. It
was conduct quite unbecoming an Of
f1cer, but 1t actually is what he said.
Dick sprang to his feet and salut-
ed, noticing the letter in his superb
or's hand.
"How you two hit It up, I don't
know, but Kit writes to me to hunt
up man with gray goose and
bring him home for Thanksgiving
She doesn't say whether she
means you or the goose, but here's
hoping" He grinned.
"Oh, Katherine, Katherine, I'll have
to kiss you for that" said Dick, and
picking up the old goose he kissed
the top Of her head where the girls
lips had once rested.
Then he held out his hand. "Tell
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