South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-22
Lassie In Khaki
By Dorothy Douglas

Ted Chase was a private in the
4OOth aero squad and after three
months Of intensive training in a
camp near his home village was
about to set sail for the great bat
tie ground over there"
You needn't worry about me.
mother" he said on what he be-
heved was his last leave of alb
sence. I'm like our old cat, Mig,
always land on my feet"
SO. with courage in his heart and
tear or two in his eyes, he gave
his mother a big hug and gave his
fathers hand a quick, warm shake,
donned his khaki cap and swung
off down the old garden path toward
the gate-perhaps for the last time.
He tried TO whistle as he walked
toward the village station but he
could almost hear his mothers
heart-broken sobs; he knew she
had thrown herself down on the old
sofa to have it out and that his
helpless, distracted father was try
ing 10 comfort her
That night proved TO be his last
in camp and bright and early the
next morning he. with his company
and many other lads, was on his
way TO the great transport that was
to take them over there.
The only stop he made was at a
florist shop near the great station
where they came in from camp. He
sent a box of red, red roses to his
mother without a card or a word
il was against orders 10 tell any
thing of his movements. She'll
know the red is for courage-when
1 send them to her-courage and
love" he said to himself as he gave
the man the directions.
No one but Ted knew how ne
longed TO know where TO send an
other box Of red, red roses. And the
message with the other box might
have meant more love than courage.
But Doris North had joined the
service of her country even before
Ted had been able 10 finish his year
at college and had probably gone
across the water and was even now
in the thick of war work. For Doris
loved her as he felt now he could
never love anyone else in the world. !
At least this trip he was embark
ing on today was taking him nearer
to her.
The two had said very little 70
each other about their real affec-
tion-they had been young and /.
both felt the necessity for doing
his and her bit" in the great war
struggle. They had mutually and in
silence. left 1t TO Fate. Now, it seem F.
ed to Ted. fate would have a pretty
hard time getting them together.
Boys" he remarked as they
stood ready 10 board the enormous
transport which was steaming and
fussing as if eager TO leave the
confinement of her slip in North /.
river, If there's one Of those colors .
IN that old flag up there that ap- I
peal 10 me now it's the blue.'
cold feet. Teddy" asked a I
chum, new-made in the service.
''No-nothing like that-just plain .
blue,'
"Oh. wait till we get into a mess +
" AAi UAt OA AuNrt l-Nt'tilE anu AlltA
you'll have occasion 10 feel truly I
blue.
That's cheerful" laughed Ted. /.
And then ne became so absorbed I
in getting himself settled in the close /
quarters that were assigned 20 him I
and his "bunkie" on the great 4
transport Brushcania. that he quite .
forgot 10 be blue and began really .
TO enjoy the prospect Of the trip.
Except for the wierdly camou- I
naged escort OF ships that were in .
the convoy that crossed the Allan /
tic together. the life or board the .
Brushcania was uneventful and the .
big ship was almost within sight Of /
land. when one morning the charm .
was broken.