Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-04-12
A Matter of
Postage
@<O
BY MARTHA 0AISER

Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
To Lucille Virginia Cranston. life
had always been joke, but the kind
of joke that was Joy to all who knew
her well, for no condition ever arose
In which she could not find some
humor to offset with the antldote Of
a clever bright remark. While she
went her gay, happy way, refusing to
take anything seriously, the serious
minded shook their heads and proph-
esied disaster, and a rude awakening
when 1t did come. And Lucille Vir-
ginia, when she learned OF 1t, enjoyed
their predictions, and her reputation
enjoyed It, INDUCED 1t, and played up
to 1t with all the vigor and daring Of
Astounding youth. Even when the dark
finger Of war pointed to every Amerl-
can his duty; and relatives, friends
and sweethearts responded. she had
talked of their going and finally said
good-by with smile and a gay little
sally, picturlng the glad, proud day Of
their return, instead Of shedding tears
as were most of her friends.
Not even to the two men whose de-
votion for months had furnished spec
ulation for her friends as to which
would win her II either-had she wa
vered. Pride and natural coQuetry
had kept her silent, though to close
observer the big blue-gray eyes had
seriousness quite unrelated to the light
words and laugh. for In her heart she
felt that life had become very real and
earnest all at once; SO real that she
did not want any sentimental emotion
to play a part and betray her or them
into false position. There are two
kinds Of lovers, those who make love
easily and gracefully, and those who
do not; that is to say, those to whom
woolng Is a natural gift, and those who
only acquire II as the outgrowth Of a
deep feeling. Such were James Moore
and Warren Fielding, and how much
they had meant in her life, and what
they really were to her, she knew only
absence could determine. That would
be the acid test. In the weeks and
months following their departure. life
was turned quite upside down for Luz
ellie Virginia. With the zeal of a true
patriot she had thrown herself heart
and soul into war work. Outside sports
were abandoned for Red Cross work
dancing was supplanted by knitting;
boxes OF good thlhgs were mace PACK
ed ana shipped win letters OF cheer
" .ne Siio"n anu unAnown' unu "i' VIC
" N,,, s Sne "as 's -, . NE
,..s- We
nc ~ ~ 49,, ao 10y -,
90 $50 .n.o az. s-'nn
,n'u v =. o' "TU .oi.a 10" how 80 .aaoh
T" va 80 =" no,,,d 80 no.,aon
Ere I,nos ~ nor note and divine her
rro,,vo IN sanding tba candy with I,
7, al, no ,ro,,Id COO ga rndars.ond
sha ,nvsod v,srol,y,ro him a. HE noe,
,1l-1,,.. - .no a,oa.,s. -,
-, ." aaId ~ 80 It, ., Iruo,s
C%a- ~ ILL.,, S,S 80 49,
a." re ie III. Ia M H.. 49, -,
uiu not near you come IN She
repiieu riSins ior niS A,SS' Du. is"'i-
ing MS query eAcep' WIN !" suuueh Ut
Tess Vi eoi"i'
DID you mail my packageF she
asked, as she turned on the hghts ana
seated herselr beside MIN on the uaV'
export.
yes out hooVerized on POSTAGE
he announced Laughing
"Howr she asked puzzled.
swell, sent 1t to Warren, as II cost
so much TO send 1t out West to James,
and as long as 1t was only candy
thought 1t was not worth all that post
age-even though your pretty hands
made IT," he added teasingIy.
"Did YOU take out the note7" she
questioned quickly.
"NoteP What notef"
"Oh. Uncle Charles" she ex.
claimed. 81 had n note in there for
James. and now Warren will get II.
What shall do. what shall I dor" she
cried turning her distressed foce TO
him
"NothInp. LEAVE that 10 Warren"
"But Uncle"
"No buts there Ia nothing for Won
70 do but-wait. Warren can handle
his own dilemma. or I miss nv guess"
he declared. as he nut his arm about
her and drew her towards him but the
tw,nkIe I'm his eve would NOT have
placed him I'm the guIltless list as
Lucille Virginia would have known had
her bead not been buried on his
shoulder.
In his quarters at camp. Warren
FtaId,no n tired homesick beart.s,ck