The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1918-06-29

CARRIER CORA
BY VINCENT c. PERRY.
(es:tvrigbt, 1913, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syu6icAte)

Of his endurance. 'Tll give that boy
q good calling down." he told himself
as he set the alarm clock so that he
would be able to do so.
Nhe first ring of the alarm was
awa-ening him. By the time he was
dressed the paper hey was due. The
morning was blustery, so he stationed
himself IN q front room, where he
would be sure to hear him passing.
After short wait he heard someone
coming up his walk The boy was not
going to forget him that morning, ap-
parently, but it was best to give him
a talking to about past misdemeanors,
he thought.
Here, you," he yelled as he opened
on the ear for not bringing that paper
last week. Is that the way you treat
old customers"
Il beg your pardon, you have made
a mistake" 1t was a wOman's voice.
Edward gasped.
II thought you were my paper car
rier," he fastened to apologize.
$50 I am" She had stepped into
a spot where the light shone on her
features and he could see that she was
smiling at his mistake. She was pretty
and the paper bag about her shoulders
gave her an air that made her very
attractive.
''This is my first morning on the
/ route" she explained. "The local
newspapers have had trouble getting
boys to carry their papers. There are
so many positions left vacant by men
who have gone to the war that it is
easy for them to get other work. Get
/ ting up in the morning, especially
windy mornings like this one, doesn't
seem to appeal to the boys"
81 shouldn't think it would appeal
to young ladies, either" he said, as
he took a closer look at her. "There
should be lots of work that you could
find"
81 am doing my bit this way she
answered with a touch of pride in her
voice "AIl the girls in our branch
of the Red Cross are carrying paper
routes until the spring"
AS she left to finish her route he
looked after her with admiration.
There was a plucky girl if ever there
was one. He had seen her face some
where before. Where? He remem-
bered it in a flash. She was Cora
Braithwaite, one of the most popular
society girls in the city.
Although her duties as a paper car
rier necessitated early rising, Cora did
not neglect her other patriotic work.
1t was not many days before she was
formally introduced to Edward Aiken
and then the story of their first meet
ing had to come out.
"Mr. Aiken seems very anxious to
be in your company, Cora" one of her
friends said one day after the story
had been retold. "It isn't often a man
falls in love with his paper carrier,
my dear"
Don't be ridiculous" Cora laughed,
but when she was alone she thought
over her friends words. Edward had
almost forced himself upon her and
she had not quite made up her mind
what to do about it. He was hand
some and genial.
She was always nice to him, but
that didn't satisfy Edward. When all
his advances were met with rebuffs
he decided that the only way he could
talk to her was by being on hand in
the morning when she arrived with
the paper. The alarm clock worked
overtime. Even a word or two from
her cheered him for the rest of the
day. If she favored him with more
than that he would muse so long over
it the paper would go unread. But all
good things come to an end sooner or
later. When warmer weather came,
paper boys were not difficult to Sc
cure and the girls were relieved of
their duty-rather a pleasant relief,
too.
Edward was walking home one night
thinking of Cora. His path led him
by a public building that was under
guard. 1t had been a sunny day, but
the night had turned quite chilly. He
was thankful he had worn a warm
coat. AS the man on guard passed
him he noticed that he had no gloves.
He slipped off his own gloves and
waited for the soldier to return to
his beat.
Here are my gloves, old fellow he
said, as he handed them over. "Tve
got lots at home. Your hands must be
freezing"
The man muttered word of thanks
as he passed on.
"How kind of you!" Cora had seen
his act of kindness and her tone
showed her appreciation of it.
"Oh," he laughed, as he stepped up
beside her, that is nothing. l know
what it is to be on guard myself"
DO you?" She was quite surprised.
did you attend military cOllege?"
NO." he answered. 81 served for
two years in France with the First
Canadians"
"Why didn't you tell me that be
fOre?" There was something more
than surprise in her voice