The Ordway new era., 1918-05-03

gested by the movement or troops, sh
hired motortruck to carry food ant
told the chauffeur she was going witt
him across the width of Virginia. HI.
expression spoke volumes and whei
out of hearing uttered words not In
tended for a wOman's ears.
She persuaded married friend tt
accompany her. This she regretted
later on. for the cold was intense ant
there was tire trouble. To her
meant delay, but her friend could Sc
nothing In the trip but her own foil,
in yielding to Lavinia's wishes.
81 will leave you at Hot Springs an'
go alone" Lavinia told her at last. Il
was really too much to ask of you"
81 will keep on until we reach /.
railroad" Mrs. Howard answere
shortly. when we come to that bon,
with civilization I will leave you t,
your own devices. What on earth pu
such an idea into your head. Couldn
you have sent the things by freight?
"Elizn and the others need food. ant
this is the quickest way to get 1t to
them" Lavinia answered.
Fortunately her chauffeur was Vir
ginian and had come from the section
OF the state to which she was going
He had known the Rankins and Wndes
1--WE played together when we wai
kids" he told her. It'll go hard will
the women in the mountains with thei
men gone" For n moment he looked
troubled. 81 s'pose you wonder VIII!
a husky feller like me is a stay-at
7 t,'t eI, I hn xuffs
an five kids an'-the orfercer tol' IN
to stay at home an take kyar of 'em.
Never in her life before had Lavini,
been so conscious of the comforts
fire ns when she entered the log cabii
an hour Tater. stiff and shivering. Bu
1t wasn't much of a fire. just handful
of sticks upon which Eliza threw
few pine cones that blazed up at once
Standing before it, Lavinin loOke'
about. There was but the one room
Side by side In one corner stood TIVE
beds covered with gay patchwork
quilts. Four bright eyes peered at he
from the fnrthest one. From the near
er came n slight moan.
81 did not know anyone was sick
Eliza"
Liz wore jes' poly when I writ
miss, honey. She give up las nigh
put the chilrun in bed to keep warm
Moll is out tryin' to git wood. Miss
honey. / shorely think the Lord duI
sent you"
There must be someone who cal
get wood for you" Lavinia said
"Where is Jake Fox? He is too ole
to be called"
For moment Eliza did not answer
"He's a-haulin' for money an we ALI
didn' have none"
Lavinia opened her purse. "Giv,
him this and tell him to hurry with
load"
The mountain woman drew back
"I amt beggin'. honey"
"Of course not. expect you to pay
1t back. But now / am cold and hun
CRY and we will talk about 1t after
WHILE" and throwing aside her wraps
she went over to speak to Lizzie Craw
ford.
For week she watched beside thai
bed in the corner, resting between
times in a big chair before the fire
At the end of that time as she was
bending over the bed the door wal
thrown open and hearty voice said
81 came back to take look AROUND
before left for France. Eliza hear,
Lizzie was sick and came over to se>
what was the matter" The voice
stopped short. you"
For a second OF time Lavinit
thought she would suffocate with thu
beating of her heart, then she sait
quietly: II heard they were In trouble
SO l came"
The mans hand was not quite stead,
as he reached over and laid his finger
upon Lizzie's wrist. There. Is ne
fever. think" He caught sight O.
Lavinia's eyes and turned abruptly
away.
Her gaze followed him. then restet
upon the compass quilt, the figure Of
which she began to trace absentl,
with her finger. She had thought him
In France, now that he was here there
were things she must say to him ant
they would take courage.
He interrupted her thought "Coms
here" he said peremptorily. II must
see your eyes again. They gave me
your soul once. Convention and train.
ing hid them from sight. am won
dering IL 1t was forever"
There was just an instant Of pause
her eyes held by his as she went
toward him and again, as that hrst
time, she walked directly into his
arms.
Our Partners In Joys and Sorrows.
A writer says In the American Mag