Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-02-08
Margaret CARROTS
Husband
A WALK ON THE BEACH.
By JANE PHELPS
X K X x 4 4 K 4 K K :. 4
CHAPTER CXXXI.

|
When 7 awakened +be clock va,
a+ri1,in, ,iro H.. al - -. g.. :
10y -ui' s'i loi
moment, then all suddenly remember
ed. Bob was there. jumped up and ran
into the children Is room. thew were q,
F, + exnec+ad oono Gov Iii. ,,,or',;,o. -,
r. 'iic-- 'i-Oi IN g uni
Oh 'he peaeh' hurried my dressing
although also took great pains. [ was
not sure l would see Bob, but [ must
not be unpleasing to his ewes. Propab,y
he would 90 away after he had seen
the boys.
4 1 ureakfasted in my room and then
went out upon the veranda. The sun
was warm, and | wore a white dress
and big black hat-one that shaded
my eyes. L had stopped in the Office
for my paper, and opening it idly |
saw Bob s name. He had been mention
cd for bravery under fire. and in an
article written now. weeks afterward.
it had been referred,
The sound OF a voice, his voice. made
me raise my eyes.
"Good morning, Margaret
'FGood morning, Bob.5'
But we met frankly, like friends.
Sleep had been a stranger to him as
well as to me. But neither of us men
toned it, or [ am sure. thouoht of if.
"Shall we take little waikiki Bob
asked after a moment. "The boys are
only a little way off. :"
We fell into step and strolled down
to the beach, We talked. but not per.
sonalities. We laughed without there be.
ing anything really to laugh at.
1 was happy because he had been
alone, because Charlotte Keating had
not been his companion in the almost
two years of our separation. For the
first time in the long weary months I
experienced a feeling of restfulness.
''Did the boys know you?" [ asked
"Donald did at once George did not,
of course. 1 had to introduce myself.
He is a husky little chap"
eyes, he is stronger than Donald.
Nothing ever makes him ILL.," Then
timidly L asked: "What did Donald
say about that2'' | touched the empty
sleeve.
"Oh, don't ask in that pitiful
tone" and he laughed his old boyish
laugh. "The little rascal seemed glad
of it he informed me gravely that as
soon as he was old enough to be a sol |
dier he was going to have BOTH arms
shot off,
"The little heathen!" 1 exclaimed,
laughing.
Ism t he! guess it was the uniform
that did it. He seemed very much i'm
pressed with it."
81 don t wonder. 1t is very becom-
ing" l had not meant to say anything
like that, the words Just came of their
own volition.
81 am glad you think so,'' he res
pended, making a mocking bow. GA
man with only one arm needs some
5hing,' but there was no bitterness
N the remark.
Just before we reached the children
le stopped. Then he asked:
"Shall we sit here a while,u
eyes, if you like and we sat down.
raised my sunshade, and we sat for
ome time without speaking. We could
zee the children and Della. Donald was
hrowing sticks into the water; while
Della and George seemed to be making
sand house. They had not seen us, and
dropped my shade at an angle that
lid us from their keen eyes.
Others were on the sand, but at some
distance. Practically we were all alone.
'TThis is restful, . Bob said after
lit. The doctor said it would be. but [
lad to be urged to Gomez {
''You don t look very we'll" L said
n low tone. Now in the strong morn
ng light l could see the ravages his
llness had made. He had great dark
hadows under his eyes, and as he threw
is cap on the sand / noticed that what
elsie had spoken of as a few gray hairs