The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-10-25
GOOD COURAGE
6y.AoNEs q. BRooAN.
lcopyrirht. IsIs. we.tern Nsw.paper UnIon.)

and seated himself In an attitude OF
detection. The natty collar Of his
khaki uniform rested against his
doubled hand, as he gazed, elbow on
table, into space.
His, was handsome face beneath
wavy hair, even the somber eyes could
not detract from Its frank charm.
"Cold day." volunteered big man
at his side; he ceased writing abrupt
ly, his eyes seeking almost hungrily
the speakers face.
eyes," he answered eagerly, "cold
up in my boarding place too. That's
why came down here. Going away
tonight to camp"
"So? asked the big man. "S'pose
all your folks will be down to speed
the parting hero"
mo-" the soldier replied, "you see
l don't happen to haye-any folks.
Mother and dad, both died-last year.
Broke up the home pretty sudden.
Couldn't stand it there, afterwards, so
came on to get a new position here"
His voice dropped huskily. City
boarding houses aren't much like your
real home" he added.
"So7 said the big man again. His
tone lacked interest, furtively during
the youths quick confidence, his eyes
had been scanning his paper. well,
good night; good luck to you."
The face of the man in uniform re-
sumed it's tense lines, his lips curved
cynically. He should worry ne
muttered.
st beg your pardon" said voice
nearby, were you speaking to me?'
The soldier turned hastily. Behind
him, looking over the book shelves
stood a girl, as she ended her ques-
ton she came directly, taking the va
Gated seat.
81 was grumbling to myself" the
man murmured confusedly.
The girl before him was such pref
ty girl, her eyes were all aglow with
the sympathy for which his very soul
had hungered, her cheeks and lips
we're glowing, too, against the back
ground of her furs. But with an abb
sence of all self-consciousness she
looked back at him, her tone was d.
rect and impersonal.
II heard all you were saying to that
man," she said, "and I want to tell |
you that I am sorry. Have you no
friends in the city,"
The soldier shook his head. II
AVE been here such little while"
s.JOr back there, where your home
gas2"
Perhaps it is my fault that they
ave overlooked me-" he admitted. Il
4 kept to myself good deal after
ny loss, and came away without even
aging good-by. Everything seemed SO
The girl nodded. "Well, 1t doesn't
luch matter" she said brightly. You
I'LL have many friends with you, COM
AIDES going together, a great bond OF
uniting you all. OH"
ne caught her breath and the man
lrilled at her vibrant words, lit is
lch a glorio us, wonderful thing to
D, putting your life at your country's
,rvice. See here" impulsively she
,aned forward. 81 have been knit
np things, sweaters, helmets, mufhers,
,r soldiers HON shall never know,
: see. why can't do the same for
,u? And write you letters? Would
lat help?" SHE laughed softly. my
lends tell me- that l have perfect
,nius for lett er writing. You might
TX me about anything special you ,
lshed to know, either here, or-where
as your home?
he announced me- r
his eyes watched hypnot-
lily her inspiI ing face.
81 could get the Pennington papers"
e went on, "and mail them with my G
tiers. 1t win be such a comfort to '
2, to feel that 1 am really helping
er SO little. Why" she threw out
r hands, '4this is my one actual OPP
rtunity."
The somb er light left the mans
es, the natty collar was raised In
lie soldier style. "How could you do Q
that for Stranger" he asked won c
ing, "yoI who know nothing about
Nothing about you'll" repeated the
Z, she stood and looked at HIN
.oss the book laden table, then point
to the tiny symbolic guns of his =
form. 'sThere are your credentials"
, said softly. What more need I
Dw Of man who goes to offer his n
, for my safety"
Your safety" the soldier whis-
ed. He, too, arose, and stood look
down upon her as one who sud-
,Iy sees a vision. "That Is true"
said slowly, that makes 1t worth az
ile." M
Our country y said the girl.
Our country" the man repeated,
their hands met and clasped. u
,riskly the girl picked up her nun. OF
what time do you leave tonightT nc
asked. He told her.
shall be at the station to see you
. she said, land to bid you good
rage You might write your name
address for me now" she suggest
Mine will come in the first let lei
/" And as the regimental train n,
ved out Of the station that evening