The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-05-16
A Matter of
Postage
o0
BY MARTHA GAISER
,copyrisht. ISIS, by the Mcclure Newsps
per syndicate)

To Lucille Virginia Cranston, life
had always been joke, but the kind
Of Joke that was Joy to all who knew
her well, for no condition ever arose
in which she could not find some
humor to offset with the antidote OF
clever bright remark. While she
went her gay. happy way, refusing to
take anything seriously, the serious
minded shook their heads and proph-
esied disaster, and a rude awakening
when II did come. And Lucille Vir-
ginia, when she learned Of II, enjoyed
their predictions, and her reputation
enjoyed II. INDUCED IL, and played up
to II with all the vigor and daring OF
Astounding youth. Even when the dark
finger of war pointed to every Ameri-
can his duty: and relatives, friends
and sweethearts responded. she had
talked Of their going and finally said
good-by with a smile and gay little
sally. picturing the glad. proud day OF
their return. instead Of shedding tears
as were most Of her friends.
Not even to the two men whose de-
votion for months had furnished spec
ulaton for her friends as to which
would win her II either-had she wa
vered Pride and natural coquetry
had kept her silent, though to a close
observer the big blue-gray eyes had
seriousness quite unrelated to the light
words and laugh, for In her heart she
felt that life had become very real and
earnest all at once; so real that she
did not want any sentimental emotion
TO play a part and betray her or them
into false position. There are two
kinds Of lovers, those who make love
easily and gracefully, and those who
do not that is to say, those to whom
wooing is a natural gift, and those who
only acquire II as the outgrowth Of a
deep feeling. Such were James Moore
and Warren Fielding, and how much
they had meant in her life, and what
they really we're to her, she knew only
absence could determine. That would
he the acid test. In the weeks and
months following their departure, life
was turned quite upside down for Luz
ellie Virginia. With the zeal Of true
patriot she had thrown herself heart
and soul into war work. Outside sports
were abandoned for Red Cross work !;
dancing was supplanted by knitting
boxes Of good things were made. pack
ed and shipped with letters Of cheer
TO the known and unknown, and all the
while she was thinking, thinking. Lu-
ellie Virginia was doing this now,
her knitting neglected In her lap as
she gazed into the leaping flames OF
the open wood fre, wondering how
long IL would take Der box to reach
James, and II he would read between
the lines Of her note and divine her
motive in sending the candy with II
II only he would see and understand
she unused. visualizing him at his post
dreaming in the cleaning, pretty
maid?" said the CHEEKY voice OF Uncle
Charles, as he slipped his hand un
der her chin and tilted her head back
81 did not hear you come In" she
replied rising for his kiss, but ignor
ing his query except with a sudden &C
cess of color.
"Did you mail my packageT she
asked, as she turned on the lights and
seated herself beside him on the dav
export.
"Yes, but I Hooverized on postage
he announced laughing.
Howl" she asked puzzled,
"well, I sent Il to Warren, as II cos
so much TO send II out West TO James
and as long as II was only candy
thought 1t was not worth all that post
age-even though your pretty hand
made IT," he added teasingly.
"Did you take out the motel" sh'
questioned quickly.
"Note7 What noteT
ooh, Uncle Charles" she ex
claimed. II had a note In there 70
James. and now Warren will get II
What shall I do. what shall do?" sh
cried, turning her distressed face 4
| him.
Nothing. Leave that to Warren.
But, Uncle"
mo butts, there is nothing for yol
TO do, but-wait. Warren can handl
his own dilemma, or miss my guess,
he declared, as he put his arm abou
her and drew her towards him. but tn
twinkle In his eye would not hav
placed him in the guiltless list, a
Lucille Virginia would have known ha
her head not been buried on hi
shoulder.
In his quarters at camp, Warre
Fielding, a tired, homesick. heart-sic
man, sat. pipe in mouth. given up I
disconsolate thought. Despite har
work and his determination to be ot
cupied every minute. he could not re
away from his memories-memorie
as warm. and fresh. and real a
though they had been made only yes
terday, yet many Of them dated bacl
10 the very beginning OF his acquair
lance with Lucille Virginia. who. afte
five months absence-months OF ey
and heart starvation-was still 70
him the one woman. With the intenslt
OF strong, repressed natures he ha
given her his heart. but with the know
edge Of his love there had come a
overwhelming humility, strange eve
to himself and entirely absent In al
his other associations, and so. onl
by his devotion had he allowed his Low