The Press., 1918-06-20
When Khaki
 Calls

S-t~t~S~tt~f~S"SS 44"SssSSSSot~S'~SES'S~sssS (COpyright. Mcclure Newspaper SyRdieAts.D
 It was evening and the big office buildings were diScharSing their quota of humanity, who, though still in work aday garb, stepped forth briskIy into the crisp autumn air, conscious that the chains of toll were lOOSened for . few brief hours and that they were free to play, relax and to take their little parts iR the comedies and traKe- dies of social life.
 Ann Donovan was one of \ group of animated, chattering girls that emerged from one of these immense beehives of industry. They fingered for q mo- ment on the sidewalk, laughing and talking, then scattered on their various homeward ways.
 Ann started off, but had only gone a few feet when E quick step sounded her hind her and . pleasant masculine voice said: '
 "HullO, Ann! What's your hurry r.
 It was annoying. Why would TonaE my insist on waiting for her every eve ning? Of course he was plea Sant eOaa- pany, and all that, but-well, a SiE4 likes to dream sometimes, and that walk home in the evening, along the quiet, shaded streets, was the only bit of time out of the whole busy day she might have for herself.
 Good evening, Mister Regan," Ann managed to respond, taking R certain satisfaction in using her most formal md served for impertlAent salsSmsn CT persistent book agents who invaded the office.
 Why so distant. Acushla2 Doesn't Tommy sound good to you any more? That mister stuff doesn't listen natural cOmin' from you tS- me" And the cheerful Tommy softly hummSd:
 Pack up your troubles in your old kit
 bag.
 And smile, smile, smile"
 '"Them's my sentiments every lime. Fellow that wrote that song must have been . real fellow. One who knows that q smile makes the digging easier, whether you're digging with a shovel, or pen or A-a sword"
 Tommy's voice faltered q little on the last word, and he gazed .trifie anxiously and uncertainty at his silent companion.
 "Er-Ann, there's something P4e been wanting to tell you, and l don't see why l mightn't as well tell yoa now"
 Ann was panlc-stricken. Why could ha they were and not begin treading on dangerous ground. Besides-aMd this was the real reaSon-a certain resent ment had been lurking in the back ground of Ann'S mind for some time with reference to this same Tommy Began. How could he sit tamely be- hind desk and watch other fellows, dozens of them, marching away te Garry the starry banner over seasfy
 Tommy was a strappinS, stalwart youth, clean-cut and pleasing to the eye. Aggressive and intelligent, he had In him the making of a splendid American soldier.
 But he had not enlisted when the nationwide call for volunteers went forth, nor had the long arm of con scrlption as yet reached out for him. He and Ann had never directly dia- cussed the subject. It was constantly in Ann's thoughts, but a certain hOsi- tancy had prevented her from intPo- ducing the topic, and though she had skated dangerously close at times. fer all of TOmmy's unfailing cheOrfulness and apparent willingness to chat on anything and everything under the sun, somehow he had never given har a clue as to his real reason for putting himself in the stacker class.
 Ann herself was an ardent patrlo3 Fifteen dollars a week is not a muriN- ! cent sum, but when a girl lives at home thG stretching qualities of even a meager fifteen dollars are remark. able So by dint of wearing her last seasons suit, by studIOusly kaepinr her head turned the ether way whea ! passing an ice-cream parlor, by sundry small economies and self-denials con- stantly practiced the world over by thousands of working girls, she was able to buy a Liberty bond, to join the I Red Cross and to contribute her mite to various special funds for the beneft of "Our Boys" She was even now learning to knit in the "Tgom POthooks I to Knitting Needles" Claaa recently launched at the oM1ca.
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