New Britain herald., 1918-12-31
-NeWS For Women Readers and zhedfezq0erS--
MY SOLDIER. SWEETHEART
Adele Garrisons OF
REVELATIONS OF A WIFE

called you "The-HIery-Stre q
couldn't help hesitating over the alb
surd a.ppellation) land that was the
name by which I always remem bered
you. I hope you will pardon my un~
conventional remembrance of it."
Il cannot do that I'm afraid''-his
whimsical smile flashed out again
"for there's nothing to forgive. You
will soon find out, Mrs. Graham-if,
as I hope, we become co~workers--~
that L am the most unconventional
person in the world. I have no bust
ness being a schoolmaster," his lips
twisted wryly, land I have a mighty
hard time minding my p's and as and
carrying around enough reserve of
manner SO that the village ideals OF
the dignity which should hedge
principal may not be too outraged.
II am very glad, indeed, to find that
you aren't quite as-shall I say digni-
fed ?-as your letter led me to expect
It was the one fly in the ointment.
For 1T would never do to have the first
assistant Guido the principal in the
We're de We're manner"
couldn't help smiling at his way
Of putting things. And, indeed, I was
quite thrilled by this odd situation re-
I could plainly see that the coveted
instructorship was mine for the TAX
ing, and 1t seemed almost uncanny
that this particular man of all others
should be the one to proffer it to me.
A GirIhood Hero.
For Kenneth Stockbridge, the idol
deed Fiery Streak of football, in the
days of my ad-andJbutter girIhood
had been the subject of much roman
tic far-off admiration on my part-a
feeling which I had no doubt was
shared by hundreds, more probably
thousands, Of other young girls in the
tmpressionable teens, who used to
wave their handkerchiefs at him and
shrtlly cheer his wonderful plays.
hadn't thought Of him for years,
but / found that rem embered as if
1t had been but a few hours gone, the
tense interest which held me during
the spectacular plays which only
misunderstood, even though Jack
used conscientiously to explain them
to me. I remembered also the ex-
cited, thrilling envy which. consumed
me when once or twice after the game
l saw him talking to some matrons
and young girls Of his acquaintance.
L
with unusual grace in so young a man
over the hands Of his women friends.
a gesture which hadsspeqled the acme
of royal courtesy to me.
The Fiery Streaki Time had dark
ened to a rich auburn the red hair that
used to travel like a flaming meteor
across the field, accident had robbed
him Of the strength and manly good
hof T.;
movement Of Kenneth Stockbridge,
every intonation OF his voice, every
expression of his face revealed the I'M
conquerable sunny spirit of the man.
HaziIy there hoated before me the
newspaper story of the accidents
which had spoiled his football career
and his future prospects It was a.
story which 7 had read in two differ
ent series, several months apart, a.
story that had filled me with sorrow
for him, anger at another person.
But had no time to recall his his
tory. He was speaking again and T
hastily pushed away all speculation
concerning him into a remote brain
cell, and gave his words nav undivided
attention.
IT hope I drew correct Inference
from your filing out Of the blank
sent you,' he was saying courteousIy.
j am taking 1t for granted that YOU
are willing to accept the position of
first assistant in the Bay View High
school"
II think 1t is I who have been ac-
cepted," I returned smiling, "but
whichever way you put 1t I shall be
very glad to do my best in the work"
II know you will" he assured me
warmly, then hesitatingly: There is
just one little formality concerning
your acceptance of the position with
which must acnra int 1,o,.