The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-02-18
When Khaki
Calls
By M. E. Stanton

OF humanity, who, though still In work
aday garb, stepped forth briskly into
the crisp autumn air, conscious that
the chains Of toll were lOosened for
few brief hours and that they were
free to play, relax and to take their
little parts in the comedies and TRACE
dies of social life.
Ann Donovan was one of a group of
animated, chattering girls that emerged
from one of these immense beehives
Of industry. They fingered for mo-
ment on the sidewalk, laughing and
talking, then scattered on their various
homeward ways.
Ann started off, but had only gone
few feet when quick step sounded be-
hind her and a pleasant masculine
voice said:
'Hullo, Ann! What's your hurry?"
1t was annoying. Why would Tom
my insist on waiting for her every eve
ming? OF course he was pleasant COM
pany, and all that, but-well, a girl
likes to dream sometimes, and that
walk home in the evening, along the
quiet, shaded streets, was the only bit
of time out of the whole busy day she
might have for herself.
Good evening, Mister Regain" Ann
managed to respond, taking a certain
satisfaction in using her most formal
eS-and-prisms tone, usually re-
served for impertinent statesmen or
persistent book agents who invaded
the office.
why so distant, Acushla? Doesn't
Tommy sound good to you any more?
That mister stuff doesn't listen natural
comm from you to me-" And the
cheerful Tommy softly hummed:
!, Pack up your troubles in your old kit
bag.
And smile, smile, smilev'
'"Them's my sentiments every time.
Fellow that wrote that song must have
been reE fellow. One who knows
that smile makes the digging easier,
whether you're digging with a shovel,
or pen or "a sword"
Tommy's voice faltered a little on
the last word, and he gazed a trifie
anxiously and uncertainty at his silent
companion.
"Er-Ann, there's something I've
been wanting to tell you, and l don't
see why l mightn't as well tell you
now"
Ann was panic-stricken. Why could
not Tommy be satisfied with things as
they were and not begin treading on
dangerous ground. Besides-and this
was the real reason-a certain resent
ment had been lurking in the back
ground Of AIMS mind for some time
with reference to this same Tommy
Regain. How could he sit tamely be-
hind desk and watch other fellows,
dozens Of them, marching away to
Carry the starry banner over seasT
Tommy was a strapping, stalwart
youth, clean-cut and pleasing to the
eye. Aggressive and intelligent, he
had in him the making of a splendid
American soldier.
But he had not enlisted when the
nationwide call for volunteers went
forth, nor had the long arm of con-
scription as yet reached out for him.
He and Ann had never directly dis
cussed the subject. 1t was constantly
In AIMS thoughts, but a certain hest
fancy had prevented her from intro
ducing the topic, and though she had
skated dangerously close at times, for
all OF Tommy's unfailing cheerfulness
and apparent willingness to chat on
anything and everything under the
sun, somehow he had never given her
q clue as to his real reason for putting
himself in the Stacker class.
Ann herself was an ardent patriot.
Fifteen dollars a week is not a munifi-
cent sum, but when a girl lives at
home the stretching qualities Of even
meager fifteen dollars are remark
able. So by dint Of wearing her last
seasons suit, by studiously keeping
her head turned the other way when
passing an ice-cream paaor, by sundry
small economies and self-denials con-
stantly practiced the world over by
thousands of working girls, she was
able to buy Liberty bond, to Join the
Red Cross and to contribute her mite
to various special funds for the benefit
Of "Our Boys" She was even now
learning to knit in the From Pothooks
to Knitting Needles" class recently
launched at the office.
So when Tommy announced in that
serious tone that he had something to
tell her, she mentally besOught her pa
tron saint to ward off the imminent
proposal without hurting the lads feel
ings or destroying their friendship.
For, after all, thought Ann, they had
crown up together as neighbors. and
there had always been a friendly feel
ing between the two families, though
Of late years the social intercourse had
been confined chiefly to the young
people save for an occasional cross
the-fence chat between Mrs. Regain
and AIMS mother.
They were on a quiet side street now
and her prayer seemed hopeless when,
lust as Tommy started to resume his
confidence, the heaven-sent Interrupt
ton occurred. The interruption was
lust a pair of lovers strolling along
arm In arm-a scene old as the ages.
vet ever interestingly new to observed
as well as to observers. The youth
was clad in khaki and he carried him
self with a jaunty, conscious air Of
pride that found eager reflection in
the admiring maid at his side.
Ann and Tommy turned to look after
them. Who can resist a backward
glance at 4 pair Of lovers?
"Ohi" sighed Ann, doesn't he look
splendidw
And then valor tweaked discretion's
ears and rushed into the fray.
"How can you stay at home and let
folks call you a Stacker, when all these
brave fellows are giving up their
homes, their work-yes. even their
lives, to make our homes, our work
and our lives safe? You've told me be-
fore that you loved me, but l don't
want to hear you say 1t again. for I'll
never marry a Stacker. Never! Oh,
l. IL l.