The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-08-07
BY MELVIN STEVENS.

months Dave was commissioned q first
lieutenant; and John, his skepticism
suddenly dissolved, found himself
drafted into the National army. A
short time later he was ordered to re-
port to Camp Dix. N. j., where he
found Lieut.. David Ashley as one of
his company officers.
Meanwhile, the contest for Margery's
hand had progressed merrily. Taking
advantage of the axiom that all is fair
In love and war, John had had q rath-
err glorious time of 1t during Dawes
three months at the training camp.
-Margery was rather lonesome; and al
though she wrote at least twice q week
to Dave, she welcomed Johns visits.
So, when November found both Dave
and John at Camp Dix, the latter had
drawn almost on even terms with his
rival.
But as an officer Dave had the
easier time Of 1t. Occasionally he
found it necessary to give orders to
his RIVAL, but when he did SO there
was a twinkle in his eye which robbed
the situation OF all bitterness. In the
matter Of leaves Of absence, he was
perfectly fair also. Each of the men
was permitted to visit home once
every two weeks, and Dave managed
to fix up things SO that he and John
alternated on their visits to Glendale.
Things might have gone along with
out change until the end Of the war,
but one evening Dawes division COM
mander told him that within three
weeks 1t was expected that the young
officer would be ordered to report at
Camp Mcclellan, down In Admission,
Ala.
It was Friday when he received word
of his probable transfer, and on the
following Sunday it was his turn to
visit Glendale. He told Margery then
that it was probably his last visit :.
and something In her eyes filed him.
with sudden hope. But although his
brain urged him to ask her the Ques-'
ton which quivered on his lips, his
heart failed him In a most unsoldier-
like manner; so he went back to Camp
Dix feeling very much as II the bot
tom had fallen out of the world.
But when his last Sunday In the
Northern cantonment approached, and
he pictured John Robson sitting be-
fore the big CRATE fire in Margery's
library. he hurried to company head
quarters and talked long and earnest
" to Margery over the telephone.
"Of course I'll be glad to visit camp"
she said. IL was wondering IL you
were going South without seeing me
again."
Dave wondered, too. how he could
ever have thought Of such a thing, and
when he met Margery at the station,
the next morning. he told her so.
They had lunch together In a way
side Inn which was really converted
farmhouse. and after they had finished
eating, they sat still for q long time
and just looked at each other across
the table.
'Why didn't you plan to come to
Glendale this Sundayf' Margery asked
finally.
Il did," Dave answered, but knew
that with John there, couldn't say.
what / wanted to. It wouldn't have
been fair to cancel Johns leave Of alb
sence, because had promised him not
to early in the fall: so the only thing
could do was to have you here"
Margery nodded.
what did you want to say to mef'
she asked
The room was deserted, the waitress
had miraculously disappeared; and so
Dave told her what he had wanted to
say for ages. And when he had fin
lshed she reached her hand across
the table and told him, so softly that
he hardly heard. that she had always
been very much In love with him.
And back In Glendale John Robson
tramped disconsolately to the railroad
station and wondered what in the
world had happened to take Margery
80 suddenly away from home.
But ans fair, they say, in love and
In war.