The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1918-03-02
BY M. E. Stanton

were discharging their quota |
of humanity, who, though still In work |
aday garb, stepped forth briskly Into !
the crisp autumn air, conscious that |
the chains OF toll were loosened for n
few brief hours and that they were
free to play, relax and to take their
little parts In the comedies and TRACE
dies Of social life.
Ann Donovan was one OF n group OF
animated, chattering girls that emerged
from one Of these immense beehives
Of industry. They fingered for mo-
ment on the sidewalk. laughing and
talking. then scattered on their various
hOmeward ways. ..
Ann started of, but had only gone a
few feet when quick step sounded be.
hind her and q pleasant masculine
voice said:
"Hullo. Ami What's your hurry7"
It was annoying. Why would Tom
my Insist on waiting for her every eve
ming? OF course he was pleasant com
pany. and all that. but-well, q girl
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 dry she
might have for herself.
Good evening, Mister Regain" Ann
managed to respond, taking a certain
satisfaction In using her most formal
prunes-and-prisms tone, usually re-
served for impertlnent statesmen or
persistent book agents who invaded
the Office.
"Why so distant, Acushla? Doesn't
Tommy sound good TO you any more2
That mister stuff doesn't listen natural
comm from you to me-" And the
cheerful Tommy softly hummed:
Pack up your troubles In your old kit
bug.
And smile, smile, smllev ~
"Them's my sentiments every time.
Fellow that wrote that song must have
been real fellow. One who knows
that smile makes the digging easier,
whether you're digging with n shovel,
| or q pen or IA sword"
Tommy's voice fnltered little on
the last word, and he gazed triile
anxiously and uncertainty at his silent
companion.
"Er-Ann, there's something I've
| been wanting to tell you, and l don't
see why I mIghtn't as well tell you
| now"
Ann was panlc-stritken. Why could
not Tommy be satisfied with things us
they were and not begin treading on
| dangerous ground. Besldes---and this
was the real reason-a certain resent.
ment had been lurking in the back.
ground Of AIMS mind for some time
with reference to this same Tommy
Regan. How could he sit tamely be.
hind desk and watch other fellows
dozens Of them, marching away. to
Garry the starry banner over seas?'
Tommy was q strapping, stalwart
youth, clean-cut and pleasing to the
eye. Aggressive and intelligent. hi
had In him the making Of q splendid
American soldier.
But he had not enlisted when the
nationwide call for volunteers wen,
forth, nor had the long arm Of con
scription as yet reached out for him
He and Ann had never directly dis
cussed the subject. It was constantly
In AIMS thoughts, but a certain hest
fancy had prevented her from intro
dpcing the topic. and though she hat
STATED dangerously close ut times, fol
all Of Tommy's unfnillng cheerfulnes.
and apparent willingness to chat OF
anything and everything under thu
sun, somehow he had never given he
clue as to his real reason for putting
himself In the Stacker class.
Ann herself was an ardent patriot
Fifteen dollars a week IL not munifl
cent sum, but when a girl lives q
home the stretching qualities Of evel
a meager fifteen dollars are remarl,
able. So by dint of wearing her las
seasons suit, by studiously keeping
her head turned the other way whel
passing an icq-cream parlor, by sundr
small economies and self-denials con
stantly practiced the world over b.
thousands OF working girls, she wa
able to buy Liberty bond, to join tn
Red Cross and to contribute her NIT
| 10 NdTIOuS spe'idi IuuuS IOT tiic UeueIl
Of sour Boyt." She was even nov
learning to knit IN the From Pothook
to Knitting Needles" class recent
launched at the Office.
So when Tommy announced In tina
serious tone that he had something /
tell her, she mentally besought her pa
iron saint to ward of the imminen
; proposal without hurting the lads fee
Ings or destroying their friendship
For, after all, thought Ann, they ha
grown up together as neighbors, an
there had always been friendly fee
; ing between the two families, thong
Of late years the social intercourse ha
been confined chiefly to the youn
people save for an occasional Cross
the-fence chat between Mrs. Rega
and AIMS mother.
!, They were on quiet side street no.
and her prayer seemed hopeless wher
Just MS Tommy started to resume hi
confidence, the heaven-sent interruy
.t,, noorcrad Tho N