The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-16
EVENING STORY
Greetings to a Soldier.
BY HILDA MORRIS.

audyS SNSIy OCGdolOAB aPPaA ChtAys
except funerals. Cards for birthdays,
cards for wddings. cards to congratu-
late you on all sorts of hapL eriings.
cards with patriotic sentiments-and
on each a verse. supposedly clever,
and picture of some sort, alluringly
colorful.
Justine paused before the window.
attracted by its gay display. 1t was
Saturday afternoon, her day off" and
she had nothing else to do but wan
der among the shops. looking in on
lovely hats and blouses and flowers
which she could not afford to buy.
This window, however, was different.
She could buy cards. that is II she
had any one to whom to send them
Today most Of the cards seemed to be
for soldiers, the verses told how proud
some one was of them, and how some
body 1onged to see a certain soldier
lain. Justine looked and most earn
estly wished that she knew a soldier
to whom she might send card. She
was doing SO very little about the war
anyway. She had no time to KNIT,
and no money to give. 1t might heip
a very little to send one of these
bright cards to some homesick boy IN
a faraway camp. But the trouble was
she did not know any soldiers. since
she had come to the city Justine.s
days had come to full of work TO az
ford many chances for meeting men,
and the days back home IN Olopols
were now so far away. She racked
her brains trying to think OF some
one to whom she might send one OF
those friendly greetings.
There was Mr. Evans, from the OF
flee. but she hardly knew him well
enough. And Bert Holmes from Oio-
port, but he was engaged to another
girl; perhaps It would not do. The
only soldier whom she could think of
who might be pleased to hear from her
was the little Pratt boy at home. VINO
had once been in her Sunday school
class OF course he was not little
boy any longer. he must be twenty
one at least. But he would remember
her, she felt cure and doubtless ne
would like to receive a card from the
big city. So she went in and chose
the ves.y prettiest card of all, borrow
ed a pen from a stationer and ad-
dressed II. On second thought she
found that she was not quite sure what
the Pratt boys first name was.
CharIes-Clarence- was
it, Curtis Curtis Pratt had a very
familiar sound; she wrote the name
Island camp. where she had heard
that the Pratt boy was stationed. ana
mailed IL. Then she forgot all about
it.
Bus two days later, much to her sur
prise. there came a note to her from
Curtis Pratt He had received the
card, and was very much pleased. He
thought it was so good of her to re-
member him. He should very much
like to hear from her again, If SHE had
time. a letter telling something about
herself.
Justine was quite fattered. It is
not often that boy remembers his
Sunday school teachers with such
courtesy and interest. So she wrote
the letter. and a motherly sort Of
an answer to It, but a few days later
the answer came. He was to have
leave next Sunday; could he come to
see her? -.
Now. this was something that had
never before happened to Justine since
had been lonely days. given over to
church and books and washing l.er
hair and solitary walks in the park.
To have a nice boy call on her was
something which she had long given
UP hoping for. The very thought Of it
sent a delightful little thrill thru her.
She wrote to him to come, and Sunday
morning she stayed home from church
and washed her hair in his honor She
looked disgracefully young for an ex-
teacher about to greet her pupil; her
hair curled about her ears in a de-
lightful style that reminded one. some
how. of yellow spring things. And her
eyes were altogether too dangerously
blue for teacher to possess, especial
ly If she wears blue dress that ac-
centuates their color. Justine was 81
years old, but she looked about Is
when she came down into the little
boarding house parlor to greet Curtis
Pratt. her ex-pupil.
The tall soldier who was seated by
the window rose upon her entrance.
thereby revealing himself to be very
tall indeed, and of much broader pro-
a oh O al yryit =, 10
Curtis Pratt.
why, how you have grown!" ex-
claimed Justine. II didn't think"
And then. with widening eyes. she
saw that this was not her Sunday
school pupil at all. He had never
nose and such very brown eyes. He
had been a blonde. I
why, you-you aren't Curtis
Pratt" she accused him breathiessly.
1t was the soldiers turn to look sur
prised.
Yes. I am. begging your pardon.
I'm very much indeed Curtis Pratt. I
remember you. even if you don't recall
my face. Once when we were very
young we went to the same picnic.
and I fished you out of Fairview
Creek. Don't you remember that
day?"
Justine sat down quite suddenly.
why, yes" she faltered. II re-
member that. remember you, too,
only
only WHAT"
I'D forgotten that your name was
Curtis. I guess I got you mixed with
your younger brother, the one taught
in Sunday school. thought I was
writing to him.
Benny? Benny is out at camp, but
he has measles Just now. I'm sorry If
I've disappointed you. Perhaps Benny
can come next time"
There was a faint note of hurt In
his voice, a rather wistful something
in his eyes as he looked 1t her.
"Oh. no." she exclaimed hastily
I'm not at all disappointed. I'm
glad 1t was you.
And then she biushed at what she
had said, delightful pink blush that
went very well with her springtirne
frock.