The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-04-05

"a OEMOOlkAl OGh1NA,
-u1aua.s.---~uaa~~zzl--~~- --~@--~--ls--------~~~
! i've months absence uiOniha co. ey,
and hcnrt stnrvntlOn-wa stlll Tor
him the one woman. With the Intensity
OF strong, repressod natures he had
given her his heart, but with the knOwl-
edge of his love there had come an
overwhelming humility, strange even
10 himself and entirely absent in all
his other associations, aud SO, only
by his devotion had he allowed his love
20 find expression. And she-well she
had treated him as she had all the
others--save Moore, he thought bitter
ly. Thus he was when the neat pack.
age 50 well camOuHaged by Uncle
Charles unknown writing, was
brought him. With no feeling but
that Of n natural curiosity he
cut the string and removed the
wrapper, but surprise ami lndlffer-
ence disappeared ms, lifting the I'D
Of the box, he saw a white envelope
on which was written In Lucille vlr-
glnias familiar hand: "For Brave
Soldier Boy"
Smiling and wondering what Joke
she was up to now, he took up the
envelope and broke the seal with
fingers that would tremble, soldier that
he was, II had no heading, and puZ.
zled he read on, and on. Then light
suddenly dawned on him, strange dlz-
illness seized him, and he sat down.
The realization staggered him, but no
longer did he hesitate. He had found
himself and was without trembling,
going over the top t. his first great
victory. lie began at the very first
and read the note through again, then
with an eXultant look on his face, he
reached FOR pad and drew forth his
pen and wrote with fingers that no
longer trembled:
Dear Jim-The enclosed has Just come
to me, In box OF candy. that was cyl
IDENTIFY intended for you, also though the
wrapper was addressed TO me, hence my
opening II. The Joke is on Lucille Vir-
glnia for getting things mixed, though
you come In for yours, too, as | am keep
Ing the candy. Believe me It's too good
TO surrender Hope you are getting along
all right. With best wishes.
w. ]. FIELDING
The days followed the sending Of
the box dragged as they never bad be-
fore to Lucille Virginia. Coming in
late one afternoon from her Red Cross
work, a tall figure came from the IL
brary to meet her.
"Why Warren" she exclaimed,
with little catch in her voice, as she
extended both hands TO meet his out
stretched ones.
"When did you Gomez" she asked,
pulling her hands from his restraining
clasp as she turned to lay off her
wraps and collect her startled senses,
"An hour ago." he replied, as they
walked into the library.
"Why didn't you let me know?"
"Because-I-well,I I wanted to sur.
prise you" he blurted out as if the
words were forced from him. as TAX
ing her hand he drew her to the CAV
enport.
81 wanted to see if you were glad to
see me-" he laughed. "Are yOu|
he questioned, looking her full IN the
face.
Fighting for time to meet that which
she saw in his face, she answered
"Of course. I am always glad to see
my friends, Captain Fielding" and she
raised her hand in mock salute and
flashed him a teasing smile.
"Stop" he commanded. In Sheer
surprise she dropped her hand. For
once she was too surprised and as
founded to think of anything to say.
Lucille, several days ago I received
a box of candy and a note that 1 read
and only at the close did realize that
it was not for me. How it ever came
to me I do not know; all that mattered
was that you certainly did not love the
man to whom it was written as I had
supposed. Now I am tired of jests;
you have had your way long enough;
and you are going to listen to me and
do just as I say; for, hand in hand
with the knowledge that you did not |
love the other man, was born hope |
that you confirmed by face and voice, |
when 1 arrived just now. You love |
me- I am the captain of your fate, |
and you-you-are to be my-wife,"
he concluded reyerently, but emphat-
ically.
For a moment silence lay between
them; then very softly he said:
Lucille, sweetheart?" Eyes, my cap
tain," she whispered, surrendering her
self into his arms.