The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-10-28
THE DAILY
STORY
IN THE DUST
=, poROrHY DoUGLAs

IN THE DUST
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS
pyrtght 1913 by the Mcclure News
paper syndicate)
the lovely old home In Aast half
my between Brussels and Client
- hero was turmoil: there were Whis-
iires and haety DOMINIC OF coats and
Kats. The German soldiers were on
iiofe way through Belgium and n
nj Nine Victor de Paepe felt that
home would be safe no longeS for
their beautiful young daughter, Ma
- Hence they had ordered her to
nee With two OF her brothers to Pre-
feef her, 70 London IL possible. The
brothers were too young for service,
hat they were old enough to take
care Of her ON the contemplated trip.
aJust one moment. father" Maria
aid. impatiently; II am coming
d was trying TO hide a little boa
6of keepSakes in the dust pit under
the fireplace. Surelyl no German
raidsfs would find 1t there, and II
they dtd-what good, to them a with
cred rose, a crumbled dance order.
4 worn latin grammer with uniformed
handyFiting on its inner covr2 And
vet to Maria these things semed to
i5e the dearest Of all her possessions;
Il was to this treasure box that she
instead Of TO her jewel case or to her
wardrobe when the signal came to
them. that the enemy was close upon
the town Of Alast-
Paul Nys. her playmate since early
childhood had given her the rose at
her first dance. Only yesterday Paul
nd TED along the Seashore to escape
oidiers. He was Of military age, but
having served for few weeks in his
own Belgian army had been found
not strong enough Tor service and
had been exempted But, being OF
military aEe, he was the most deslr-
abe as prisoner in the hands OF
the approaching Germans What car
Cd they that he wns physically unit!
Maria wondered, even as she hur-
had gone. Would she ever see him
aEain2 In a few moments she would
ha on her way to England, a refagee.
6 And Paul who had chise1 the sea-
shore, where would he eventually find
afmself2 Perhaps in far-oft America,
{honght Maria
After several days Of travel by foot
and truck Maria and her two broth
ers found themselves crossing the
channel into England. At last they
found the London boarding place OF
which they had ann address, from their
one night when she and her bro
Tiers were preparing their evening
meal she looked out OF the window
Leon; Gustave! Quick, kuick!"
The brothers rush to the window.
tits Paul!'' the exclaimed together.
6a IOoIyc Maria
said her voice trembling.
sAnd hungry added Leon.
Hunsry2" Gustave said, wistfuIly.
"Ete,s come to fine place for hungry
man. eh Maria2"
,Neria looked thoughtful. att isn't
strange, after all. that he should have
2 came here. is it? Father and his IA
ther both knew Of this place remem-
So at dinner the dusty traveller.
Pau, sat by his playmates and neigh
bors back In Alsot. And how sweet
Maria looked to him. He had never
realized how pretty was the sister OF
his school friends
But-where are you going, Pau?
asked Maria at length.
: sTo America. I shall find work in
some linen mills, for that is all
know about"
when do you sa1?" asked Leon
s.Tomorow- I have letters to a
IA in New York. They will meet me
and then I will go to Philadelphia.
wherever and whatever that may
mean. Butt am thankful to be go
Maria. face fell. "Are you. really,
Paul?" She asked.
Paul looked at her strangely for
mGment. 'Why-certafnly. Maria
Why uot?'
! seems from A1ost, Paul.
.sWin You write to me, Maria?"
she knew not why.
Maria nodded. She had blushed.
And that night, while Maria's two
brothers were out trying to suppli-
ment their society clearinghouse din
aef by means Of food purchased at
bakery. Maria, quite untrue to the
bringing up of a proper Belgian girl.
sat alone on the steps OF big Lon
don stone house and talked for an
hour with q young man.
In that stolen hour Maria learned
much and Pou1 felt much that he had
hoped he would not be compelled to
conc day you wiz come to America,
Maria" he half asked, halt staten
Ssoh. the war VIII be over and You
Nm come home, Paul"
Paul shook his head. he had talk
With many wise man since he came
10 England, and he knew that the
WaF would not soon be over. Il
q He pulled OF his signet FinE-G big
rather clumsy old gold circie-and
give Il to Maria. Would you like to