The Parker post., 1918-02-16

" tAAS OuOLJ SAOuAAOy NAoNoO hCaN 10
smile, and before she knew it she had
thanked the man, and they were walk
ing together toward the hall as If
they had known each other always.
AS Madge and her companion walked
through the streets in town she felt
with pleasure the eyes of neighbors
and tOwnspeOple who saw her walking
with one of Company B. Now, she
was like the other girls who really
knew and could talk to one of these
brave soldiers.
"You have been very good to help
me. I've liked talking to you, too"
said Madge simply, as they neared the
hall where she supposed she and her
soldier would part forever, because I
don't know any of the other men in
Company B, and it makes me happy
to have talked to one of them on the
eve of departure"
"And / don't know another young
lady in Stantown. That's why l felt
so out Of sorts when I had to come
OUT
"Why, that's stranger commented
Madge. II thought all the men in Com
pany B were from this section
Company B-yes so they are"
agreed the man in khaki, and then
changed the subject as he followed
Madge into the room where the pies
had been received.
A near neighbor of Madge's, who
receiving the pies, eyed Madge narrow
ly, and then the man in khaki. Madge
cOlored, and the man seemed to guess
the cause of her confusion.
you're thinking that those ladies
will wonder who 1 am, and perhaps
you are wondering yourself. May I
present myself. I'm Bob Fairfax" 1t
was just in time. The critical neigh
Dor had eyed Madge with such disap-
proval that Madge turned her newly
acquired information to account, and
introduced her companion, adding
with pretty little laugh, "Mr. Fairfax
was just walking out the lane to sec
my aunt and grandmother, when he
met me with the pie, and Pm so glad,
for 1 never could have managed alone
Somehow the usually timid Madge
mustered up courage enough to ask her
soldier to come home with her for
luncheon, and while she left him ON
the front porch she had haSty inter-
view with her aunt explained how
they had met and the reason she had
introduced him to the critical neigh"
Dor, and it was for that reason per-
haps that she received the young
stranger in khaki into her house and
invited him to share their dainty lunch
con.
The young soldier got on famously
with Madge's aunt and grandmother,
vowed that he had rather stay with
them than join in the festivities in the
armory, and when Madge went to don
her Red Cross apron and veil prepara-
tory to serving at the banquet Mr.,
Fairfax was still dallying with the old
ladies, walking leisurely through their
garden paths and admiring all of the
aunt's favOrite flowers in a way that
convinced her that he was "a perfect
gentleman" And being sure he was
such, she had no objections to offer
when he suggested that he escort the
pretty little Red Cross waitress to the
hall Of the banquet.
They parted at the door of the hall,
and Mr.. Fairfax held his hand out for
a farewell
''If l never see you again, little
lpple-pie lady, may tell you that this
las been the sweetest day of my life"
ma as Madge murmured "good-by---~
}ut surely I'll see you at the banquet
perhaps you'll be at my table," he had
eft her.
Madge, who had expected so much
from that banquet, was keenly disap
pointed. In spite of the splendid eff
feet of the six hundred soldiers as they
marched with blaring trumpet. and
beating drum into the hall for dinner
she seemed to feel that something was
missing. And as she had time to scan
the faces of the men who sat at the
long tables, she knew that she was
right Her soldier man was not there.
Why hadn't he cared enough for her
to stay to the banquet?
1t was past nine o'clock that night
when Madge, with cheeks flushed with
fatigue, excitement and disappoint-
ment, stole out Of the hall. She had
promised her aunt to come home with
neighbOrs who lived near her. but she
dreaded the trip up the lane with
them. Having finished her share of
the work, she skipped out, and started
homeWard alone.
Fairfax stepped to her side before
she had gone ten PAGES, and so content
did they both seem just In the con-
sciousness of being together after their
three-hour separation that Madge for
got to ask him why he had not been
at the banquet.
AS they turned into the lane she
asked him. II didn't want you to
know; but I'm not one of Company 3