Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-04-12

WIN hO lCClihB bhN
that Of natural curiosity he
cut the string and removed the
wrapper. but surprise and lndiffer-
ence disappeared as. lifting the lid
Of the box, he saw a white envelope
on which was written In Lucille vir-
glnla's familiar hand: For a 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. It 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 to his first great
victory. He began at the very first
and read the note through again, then
with an exultant look on his face, he
reached for a pad and drew forth his
pen and wrote with fingers that no
longer trembled:
Dear Jim-The enclosed has Just come
to me, in a box OF candy that was evil
IDENTIFY intended for you. also though the
opening It. The joke is on Lucille viz
ginia 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
=" " WI" ' ". J. FIELDING
The days followed the sending Of
the box dragged as they never had be-
fore to Lucille Virginia. Coming in
late one afternoon from her Red Cross
work. a tall figure came from the H.
brary to meet her.
with little catch In her voice, as she
extended both hands to meet his out
stretched ones.
"When did you conner she asked,
pulling her hands from his restraining
clasp as she turned to lay of 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. wanted to sur
prise you," he blurted out az II the
words were forced from him. MS Tux
ing her hand he drew her to the day.
export.
81 wanted to see II you were glnd to
see me-" he laughed. "Are your"
he questioned, looking her full in the
face.
Fighting for time to meet that which
she saw in his face, she answered:
"0f course. | am always glad to see
my friends Captain Fielding" and she
raised her hand In mock salute and
flashed him a teasing smile.
"StopT 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 received
a box of candy and note that I read
and only at the close did realize that
to me do not know all that mattered
was that you certainly did not love the
man to whom II was written as ] 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 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 ! arrived just now. You love
mo am the caDtain OF your fate,
and you-ycu-are to be my-wlfe,"
he concluded reverently, hat emphat-
ically.
For q moment silence lay between
them; then very softly, he said:
Lucille, sweetheart" ayes. my cup
TAIN" she whispered, surrendering her
self into his arms.