The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1918-07-12

unWfap n package ne n so care
fully placed there. and with comlcal
dismay he held up 10 view two gnyly
colored balls dangling from elasticA
and two squeaky rubber dolls.
Peal upon peal Of laughter rang out
Tho boys joining In none the less
heartily because the joke was upon
them. and In the midst Of Il all came
a stamping up the front steps. the
front door vas thrown open and q
deep bass voice called out: swell. 80
you got here ahead Of me. ehf 1 hope
my twin kiddles-I mean my twin
young lndies-have taken good care OF
you and dfveating himself OF his
great fur coat which wal taken In
charge by the everprcsent Sims. In
came Or. Walter Carroll, otherwise
known az "Old Doc" OF the One Hun
dred and Seventh regiment. and held
out a hand to each OF his guests.
Each young soldier grasped the
hand extended 10 him. and gripped Il
with that grip by which men make
known 10 other men the feeling that n
In their hearts.
II was a pretty party that sat down
10 dinner that night In Doctor Car
rolls house. and many a 'trench story"
did the two boys relate 70 their old
friend. with the resi- Of tho family a
Interested listeners.
"And now for the party" cried Mad
cline. her eyes dancing with excite
ment. a. n group OF the young people
OF the nelghborhood came In to help
celebrate tho birthday Of the twinA.
Soon the fun waxed fast and furiouA
and many were the onvious 'oks cast
In their direction when Scott and Jack
were elected by the two girls to cut
the two birthday cakes that adorned
the table, brave In their proud array Of
IS candles each.
"It's because they have swords. you
see" explained Madeline. anxious to
soothe the feelings OF some OF her do
voted admirers. "You know swords do
cut the cake 80 nicely"
The ring-the ring-who gets the
ringT' cnme n chorus from the girls.
as the pieces Of cnke were distributed
Scott held up the coveted trophy.
There followed three such glorious
days. that a. they sat AZ the dinner
table on their last evening with the
/ CAROLS, Scott declared that he was
90 spoiled that be knew that he'd
never amount 10 anything after he got
back 20 actual duty.
"well. we're glad n you enjoyed
your stay with u.s." answered Mary
Carroll sedately. but although her lips
answered Scott. her eyes sought out
his brother oaicer.
"ITl tell you this" said Tom. grave
ly. In answer 10 her look. M I've got
20 die. / shall certainly die happier for
having had these few wonderful days"
"Poohl Poohi I" cried the doctor
quickly. anxious to avoid any refer
ence 10 the dangers 10 come that might
spoil their last hours together. "Aftsr
dinner the grin take you out along
the river for n walk. and you'll only
think how nice Il il to live. and not be
worrying about dying"
Along the south path that led TO tho
river John Farrell strolled with Mary.
Its only three days I've known
you. It's true" he said. "but you must
remember that really I've known you
since you were three. from what dear
old Doc has told Us. I've got 10 go
back TO the front. dear, but the war
can't last forever. and when l come
back-hnve l chance, Maryr
swell. Il vas my ring-and you won
H." said Mary, and she blushed ndor-
ably. and In some mysterious way her
answer completely satisfied Jack.
shut you mustn't tell anyone" she
begged. "for you zee I'm only eighteen,
and wen have 10 wait a long time.
Besides I'd hate to have Madeline
know-that is-right away. OF course,
1 always tell her everything. Twins
always do. you know" and she looked
up at him with serious eyes. hut some
how I'd like 10 keep this n secret just
between US for a little while"
can right. sweetheart, N you say so,'
he agreed. shut l don't think you need
worry about Madeline. There she Il
now" as Scott Hanlon and the other
twin came slowly up the west path.
On board the U. s. transport Aida
two well.set-up. ~hne-lo0king younG
soldiers slowly paced the deck.
"Well," said Jack Farrell 10 his
friend. II mny not have won the penny
that was In that birthday cake, hui
IN bet you an army sweater against
a pair Of pigskln puttees that II ! ever
get safely back home again I'll be
richer than you1l be"
. "But you seem 10 forget" replied
the other. II won the wedding ring
and sometimes It's lust as well 10 be
lleve In signs" and he smiled broadly
ooh. hoi so It's you. too. ehf" ex'
claimed Jack. as he whlstled softly
"well. we certainly are two lucky fel
lows. Here's 10 our next furlough
/ Scott. and may II be as happy a one
rs this n has been"
? "Yes." said Scott Hanlon, GOD Will
> inn- here's 20 our next fuFloueh."