The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-19
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
"Henry Enlists"
BIZ LOUISE OLIVER.

tdo point Of OCuon5tIdtlOn.
10 - brief, our friend had. that
morning. risen. shaved. bathe1 and
breakfasted as usual. ana read his
ncTning paper over his grapefruit;
but beyond that his daily program haa
received severe iolt. For. reading OF
the German drive and how they we're
inehing toward Aniens and YpreS,
then the taking OF Kennel Hill. a
queer sensation had seized him In the
region OF hts stomach. which rose slow.
~ and seemed 70 smother sim with
indignation. For the first time Henry
realized that the Allies might possibly
just possibly-neel hep. his help.
Pushing aside the bowl o. smoking
hot oatmeal and the pitcher Of thick
cream thst had Just been placed before
HIN. Henry pushcd the paper into his
pocket, his nat en- the back OF his
head. and his way through the harry
ing morning crowd 10 the nearest re
cruiting office. whence, after a thor.
oUgh examination. he emerged. a
couple Of hours later. full.fledged
member OF Uncle Sans great army.
the wonderful Amy &c which the whole
civilized world now looked for succor.
So now, back In his office. high over
the roofs and ehimneyS OF most Of New
York. he had occasion to feel reason
sbly disturbed by his action. and
proud thereof at the same time.
Now. emotions are Ike troubles
they never come slngly. And Henry
being disturbed TO the utternost parts
OF his being. discovered several varl
ties OF latent sensations In his make
ny that he thought long dead. or
that he had not thought OF at all, ald
one OF them was Louise Woods.
Il was queer how he had got over
bis disappointment about Louise. or
thought he had for now as he remem.
bered her clear. dark eyes and wonder.
full hair that had a habi; OF blowing In
little soft wisps about her ears and
face, q queer longing siezed him to see
her again. He must see her and tel
her what he had Gore.
He paused N his pacing and closed
bis eyes. Then he opened them 10 the
vast dreariness OF world OF smoke
and gray roofs and shutout sun.
II was typical o. his life. OF course
He saw II now-emLtiness and gray.
ness and ugliless. What was money?
Oh. yes, he'd left Louise back home to
come 10 New York and got rich. He
wanted her 10 marry him and come
along. but she wouldn't leave her
father.
There is no use going over the why
and the wherefore-but now Henry
vas rich. thIrty.five. and going TO war.
And Louise was back home in green.
dale. thirty, and probably married by
this time. with . family OF children.
Suddenly he Strengthened. What
tool he was. OF course. she'd forgot
ten about him long ago. What right
had he TO get sentimental now over a
past that had ceased to exist except In
his own mind.
He sat down al his own desk and
made an attempt at putting his affairs
into shape to leave. But the uneasy
feeling about Louise had come to stay.
Somehow he felt that he wanted her
10 know he had enlisted and to retrive
himself In her eyes.
Il wcs a warm day in late April, so
warm that he had left the door open
into the cool marble corridor fro;i
which other doors OF ground glass like
his own opened into other offices and
business rooms OF various sorts. such
IS one may fad In any metropolitan
Office building.
Suddenly a little breeze. playing
With the papers on his desk. brought
10 Henry's noS;rils a Wifi OF exquisite
fragrance, and he lifted his head. sud
denly conscious that the oder was
familiar.
Earcissus! He was sure OF THE
had seen a florists window full OF Il
that morning. and that. too, had taken
him back TO Greendele and Louise.
There had been large bed OF the flcw.
ers IN her garden, and the last time he
had seen her snc stood beside Il, a
few Of the blossoms In her hand.
Surely all roads today seemed TO
lead 10 Louise!
The perfume came again through the
open doorway. lie would have 10 see
Just vhero those blossoms we're
Across the hail was the visiting
Nurses Association. as no understood
By the large type on the door. He had
never been within. TcGay, however.
the door was open. an. as he had ex.
pected. there on a large mahogany
desk In the center OF the room was o
crystal bowl OF white narcissus.
But II was not the flowers that held !
him spellbound. but the woman In
white quietly writing al the desk upon |
which they stood II was Louise her.
selt-Louise OF iCnG memory.
Suddenly she looked up and smiled. |
not Q surprised, startled smile. but the !
confident. welcoming smile OF one who |
has always expected he prodigal 10 re- F;
turn.
Henry" she cried. laying down her /
pen and rising, both hands out
stretched.
You. Louise. I didn't know you
were here" He possessed himself Of |
both hands. looking down deep into hor |
eyes. Il thought YOU were back in !
Gfeendale. And ] was just getting !
ready--beliOve mt II you can. Louise |,
to 80 back and say good bye"
Yes. I've cnnsted. I'm going
away"
"0h. Henry, lin 30 glad. on. you
don't know how glad. I'm going. TOO. !
I nean--you sec. 7 couldn't stay IN I.
Grscndale after Gather died, knowing |
vas needed heie. And now ! feel |
the same Way-I cant stay here In |
New York knowing ! am needed ever
there. So I'm Soing, Henry. They're |