The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-05-16

brought him. With no feeling but
that Of natural curiosity he
cut the string and removed the
wrapper. but surprise and lndlffer-
ence disappeared as lifting the lid
NJ the box. he saw a white envelope
on which was written in Lucille vir-
ginia's familiar hand: For a Brave
Soldier Boy"
Smiling and wondering what joke
she was up 10 now, he took up the |.
envelope and broke the seal with
fingers that would tremble. soldier that
he was. II had no heading, and puz-
zled he read on, and on. Then light
suddenly dawned on him. a strange diz-
illness seized him. and he sat down. |
The realization staggered him, but no
longer did he hesitate. He had found I,
himself and was without trembling, !
going over the top to his first great
victory. He began at the very first
and read the note through again. then !
with an exultant look on his face, he
reached for pad and drew forth his
pen and wrote with fingers that no
longer trembled:
Dear Jim-The enclosed has just come
10 me IN a box OF candy that was evil
IDENTIFY intended for you. also. though the
wrapper was addressed to me, hence myl
opening 1t. The Joke Is on Lucille VIZ
ginia for getting things mixed, thought
YOU come in for yours, too as | am Keep
ing the candy. Believe me it's too good
10 surrender. Hope you are getting along
all right with best wishes
The days followed the sending Of
the box dragged as they never had be-
fore to Lucille Virginia. Coming I'M
late one afternoon from her Red Cross
work. a tall figure came from the III
brary 10 meet her.
"Why Warren" she exclaimed,
with a little catch In her voice, as She
extended both hands to meet his out
stretched ones.
"When did you comet" she asked.
pulling her hands from his restraining
clasp as she turned TO lay of her,
wraps and collect her startled senses.
IAN hour ago" he replied. as they
walked into the library.
"why didn't you let me known"
"Because-I-well. wanted TO sur
prise YOU" he blurted out ms II the
words were forced from him, as TAX
| ing her hand he drew her 10 the dav-
export. -
81 wanted to see II you were glad tc
see me-" he laughed. "Are your
ne questioned, looking her full In the
face.
Fighting for time to meet that which
she saw in his face, she answered:
"Of course. am always glad to see
my friends, Captain Fielding" and she
raised her hand In mock salute and
flashed him a teasing smile.
"Stopl" he commanded. In sheer
surprise she dropped her hand. For
once she was too surprised and as
founded to think OF anything to say.
Lucille, several days ago | received
a box Of candy and note that l read
and only at the close did realize that
II was not for me- How 1t ever came
to me do not know; all that mattered
was that you certainly did not love the
man to whom 1t was written as had
supposed. Now I am tired Of 1ests
you have had your way long enough
and you are going to listen to me and
do just as 1 say; for. hand In hand
with the knowledge that you did moi
love the other man. was born a hope
that you confirmed by face and voice
when I arrived just now. You love
me. I am the captain Of your fate
and you-you-sre to be my-wife,'
he concluded reverently, but emphat'
ically.
For a moment silence lay between
them; then very softly, he SAID
Lucille, sweetheartf" "Yes, my cap
tain" she whispered, surrendering her
self into his arms.