Evening star., 1918-04-07
BV SEWELL FORD

over the map. and heard him say somss
thing about Observer Martin WAaf1n
to report sick. Then he steers me on
toward the barracks. circles past EN-
II think we've put II over. old man..
says he, givin' me the cordial grtp. Il
can't tell you what good turn yoavs
, =, r: a,:,;asszy- s.s,;ss says Z where d
you take this trolley that's osming..
says he. That junk you have on yea
can send back tomorrow. in my care.
And IL trust you'n hnd things sn
right at home"
aThanks," says L Hope you'll havs
the same luck yourself some day"
"Oh, perhaps" says he, shakin' his
head doubtful. IF ever get back. But
not until I'm past thirty. anyway"
why so later asks.
what would get my goat" says be.
would be the risk Of breakin' into the
grandfather class before got ready"
"Ges!' / gasps. II hadn't thought OF
that"
So, with this now idea, and the
cheertn' views Barnes had pumped Into
me, has plenty to chew over durtn
the next hour or 80 that I'm speediH
toward homo. expect that accounts
some for the long face must havs
been wearin' whom I finally dashee
through the front gate OF the Lilacs
and am let into the house By Leon
Battou, the little old Frenchman who
cooks and buttles for us.
"Ah, mon Dieu" says Leon, thfoWtH
UP his hands and starin' At me bug
eyed. Monsieur
"Go on" says L Tell me the worsss
What is ft?"
''But no, m'sieur," says he. 1T n
only that m'sisur appears In 20 strange
attire"
costume, Leon. What about Veef"
"Ahw says he. his eyes beamin' once
more and his hands washin' each other.
Madame Is excellent She herself win
tell you. Gomez
Upstairs I went, tive seteps at . tina.
"S-s-h~ says the nurse. meetin' me q
the door.
But 1 brushes past her, and the nsx4
minute I'm over by the bed and Wee -
smilin' up At me- It's only the ghest ef
q smile, but 1t means q lot to me. She
slips one Of her hands into mine.
"Torchy." she whispers. did you 4roD
down out of-of the airT"
THAT was about It." says gos
here. though. Are you all right. giritsr
She mods and gives me another o.
them sketchy. happy smiles.
Anyhow about the-the- I starts
to ask. -
She glances toward the corner whore
the nurse is bendin' over . pink ana
white basket. Hes splendid" she
whispers.
"He?" says I. 'Then-then It's boyfs
She gives my hand q little squessa
And ten minutes later. when I'm
shooed out, Tn feelin' 50 chesty AND
happy that I'm tingly all over.
Down in the livin' room Leon 10 watt
In for me, wearin' q broad grin. Ho
ereets mo with his hand out And then
somehow, because he's SO different ]
expect, remembers Barnes. was
wonderin' II Leon was just putin it
on.
well" says I, "how about itf'
"Ah, monsieuri" says he. givtn' me
the hearty grip. "I make to you my
best congratulations."
"Then you don't feel" says /. that
being a parent is kind Of q sad and
solemn businessr
"Sadr' says he. Mon. non! 1t 10 the
have the best right to be proud and
glad, for to you has come le bonne
chance. Yes, le bonne chancew
And say, there's no mistakfn' thae
Leon means every word of 1t. French
and all.
Thanks, Leon" says I. You ought
to know. You've been through It your
self I'll bet you wouldn't even feel
bad at being q grandfather. NOT Well.
I guess Til follow through on that line.
Maybe I don't deserve 80 much luck,
but I'm takin' 1t just as though did.
And say. Leon. let's US 60 out in tho
back yard and give three cheers Tor
the son and heir OF the house OF
Torchy."