Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-07-04
A Matter of
Postage
n<Y
by MARTHA GAfSER


hFT We'll, Ter no CondlN0n ever arose
in which she could not find some
humer 10 offset with the antidote of
a clever bright remark While she
went her gay happy way, refusing 10
take anything seriously, the serious
minded shook their heads and proph-
esied disaster, and a rude awakening
when 10 did come. And Lucille Nir-
Einin, when she learned Of IL. enjoyed
their predictions. and her reputation
enjoyed Il, INDUCED II, and played up
to il with all the vigor and daring Of
ahounding youth. Even when the dark
fUger of war pointed TO every Ameri-
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 picturing 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
yered Pride and natural coquetry
had kept her silent, though 10 close
observer the big blue-gray eyes had a
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 part and betrny 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 10 say, those TO whom
wooing Is a natural gift, and those who
only acquire II as the Outgrowth of
deep feeling Such were James Moore
and Warren Fielding, and how much
they had meant in her life. and what
they really were 10 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 true
patriot she had thrown herself heart
ullN Nbul lltV VIZ Nblhs 'FlAtTltlf NllAli Is
were abandoned for Red Cross work
dancing was Supplanted by knitting;
boxes of good things were made, pack
ed and shipped with letters OF cheer
10 the known and unknown. and all the
while she was thinking thinking Lu.
ellie Virginia was doing this now,
her knitting neglected in her lap as
she gazcd into the Ieaping flames of
the open wood fire, wondering how
long II would take her box to reach
james. and IL he would read between
The lines of her note and divine her
motive IA sending the candy with II.
II only he would see and understand.
she mused, yiSualizing him at his post
Dreaming in the cleaning, pretty
mald?" said the CHEEKY voice OF Uncle
Charles, ms he slipped his hand UNI
der her chin and tilted her head back
81 did not hear you come In" she
replied rising for his kiss, but lgnor-
ing his query except with a sudden ac-
cess OF color
did you mail my packHgeT she
asked as she turned on the lights and
seated herself beside him on the dav-
export.
yes, but | Hooyerized on postage"
he announced laughing
Howe" She asked puzzled.
"Wel | sent II TO Warren, as II cost
so much TO send II out West to James.
and as long as II was only candy
thought II was not worth all that post
age-ryeu though your pretty hands
made IT," he added teasIngly
did YOU take ont the note7" she
questioned quickly.
"Note? What note"
"Oh. Uncle Charles" she ex-
claimed 81 had note in there for
James and now Warren viii get II.
What shall do, what shnll I doy' she
cried. turning her distressed face TO
him.
Nothing Leave that to Warren"
But. Uncle"
NO butts, there is nothing for you
90 DO. but wait. Warren can handle
his own dilemma or I miss my guess"
me- declared. MS he put his arm about
her and drew her towards him. but the
twinkle In his eve would not have
placed him IN the gultless list MS
Lucille Virginia would have known had
her head not been buried ON his
shoulder.
In his quarters at camp, Warren
Fielding tired. homcSick. heart sick
man, sat, pipe In mouth. given up 10
diSconSoIate thought Despite hard
work and his determination no be oc.
cupicd every minute. he could not get
away from his memnrieS-memorie
rs warm and fresh, and real rs
though they had been made only YES.
terdny, yet many OF them dated back
% the very beginning of his acguain-
tNnce with Lucille Virginia. who after
five months abSenee-monthS OF eve
aud hearr Staryatlon-waS Stu FOR
him the one woman with the Intensity
OF strong repreSSed natures ne had
given her his heart, hut with the knowl-
edge of his love there had come an
overwhelming huuhdty, strange even
% himself and entirely absent in an
his other associations. and So. only
by his devotion had he allowed his love
10 find expression And She-wel she