The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-15
EVENING STORY
Report Today.
BY KITTY PARSONS.
.iuht 1913 HI. MclNlira Naxysna ne

Synu1caIe-D
The strains of the Mendelssohn
wedding march pealed out majestically
as the bride and groom came slowly
down the aisle.
Eleanor had always declared that
she would not race out of the church,
the way some couples did. and she
smiled happily at the many friends
who were SO eagerly watching the
bridal procession.
You were beautiful. my dear, per-
fectly beautiful" declared one of the
guests at the reception, a little later.
"And the groom in his uniform is
quite the handsomest thing 1 have
ever seen. 1 don't wonder you mar
ried him. Has he long leave?"
"A whole week." returned Eleanor.
land we've planned such a wonderful
trip!"
The happiness of the newly married
couple seemed to be shared by every
one else, and the entire bridal party
sat down to the wedding breakfast
amid much laughter and merriment.
The best man was just proposing a
toast to the bride and groom when
someone handed the captain tele
gram. He read the message quickly
and his whole countenance changed.
apprehensively.
THE worst possible! They want
me to report at headquarters today.
Something important has come up. L
suppose"
'Oh, Allen, how cruel. Right in
the middle of our wedding, tool You'll
have to hurry, too" she added, rising
to the occasion like a true soldiers
wife. There's a train that leaves at
one-thirty and it's after one O'Clock
now. Come on and I'll drive you to
the station Then, she turned to the
other people.
you'll have to save the old shoes
and things for our anniversary. Please
don't stop eating-Pll be back in a
few minutes and I want you to go on
as if nothing had happened while I'm
gone"
You are the most wonderful girl
in the world" Allen told her for the
thousandth time on the way to the
station. Anyone else would have
made fuss. OF course this may not
amount to anything and if it doesn't
I'll be back in a day or two. but if
can't come, and they don't send me
right over. I'll find place for you
near the camp The quarters for the
wives of the men are nothing to brag
about around there. You'll be brave,
won't you, dear? I'll wire you to-
morrow"
1T won't be for long, darling-it
just can't be-" she choked, as for a
moment she chung to him helplessly
Then, she pulled herself together and
waved cheerful goodbye from the
window of her car, glad that he could
not see the tears that were running
down her face.
But 1t was not until the last guest
had gone, that Eleanor threw herself
had been SO sudden and unexpected
and they planned everything so care
fully. Her trunk had gone and Allen
had paid for their rooms at the little
mountain inn, where they were going.
He had even, given her the tickets to
keep for him. when he put on his new
uniform before the ceremony. 1t was
almost too hard to bear.
suddenly Eleanor sat up on her bed
with an inspiration.
LII go just the same" she declared
Just TO see what it is like Everv
things ready and 1 can come back r.
morrow II L want to. 1t may be queer
70 go off on wedding trip alone. but
IT'S lot nicer than staying here and
me. I'll do it,'' "-''i
In few moments Eleanor appeared
before her mother. dressed for her
journey, and the astounded ladv look-
eu at her in amazement But Mrs
Osgood was a sensible woman and not
easily disturbed, so she made little oh
-
If any word comes from Allen be-
lore L get back, please wire at once
mother dear. I'll be a good girl. 90
don't worry. Goodbye"
On the thirty mile train ride Flea
nor allowed herself little time for
thought, but knitted franticallv all The
way. The inn was some distance from
the station, and the drive in the crisD
winter air was delightful There were
Few guests, and the kindly little old
lady who kept the house, did not
bother her with useless questions but
took her to a cheerful sitting room
where a great wood fire lay blazing on
the hearth.
Drink this tea, my dear. and rest
yourself bit. It's five now, so you'll
not want dinner till seven. If YOU
want anything, ring
Eleanor thanked her, and after
drinking the tea, threw herself on a
couch by the fire 1t was dusk and
thru a large. window she could see
great snow-capped mountains shining
in the winter twilight.
Il don't wonder he loved it here"
thought Eleanor. and her eyes filled
with sudden tears. Then she looked
away and began to say to herself the
last words of a poem she had read not
long before:
Nor even love may hold them back,
nor halt their stern advance,
AS your dear lad and my dear lad go
on their way to France"
After a while her tired lids dropped
and she fell asleep.
1t was almost seven o'clock when
Eleanor was awakened by a sound in
her room.
1T must be Mrs Green, to tell me
supper is ready" she considered drow-
silly. and sat up on the couch. Then
her eyes almost popped out of her
head for sitting in a big chair by the
fire was her husband.
"Allen" she cried, lam 1 dreaming
again.
Not a bit of it," he assured her,
taking her in his arms. 1T was all a
mistake-the telegram was supposed
to read: Report at Headquarters a
week from today Stupid. but ii
might have been worse. / te1ephoned