The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-04-05
When Khaki
Calls
~
BY M. E. Stanton
By NJ. E. Stanton
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,

buildings were discharging their quota
of humanity, who, though still in work
aday garb, stepped forth brsxly 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
ment on the sidewalk, laughing and
talking, then scattered on their various
homeward ways.
Ann started off, but had only gone a
few feet when Il quick step sounded be-
hind her and u pleasant masculine
voice said:
"hullo, Ami What's your hurry?'
1t was annoying. Why would Tom
my insist on waiting for her every eve
ningl OF course he was pleasant com
pany, and all that, but-well, a 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 day she
might have for herself.
Good evening, Mister Regain" Ann
managed to respond, taking n certain
satisfaction in using her most formal
prunesand-prisms tone, usually re-
served for impertinent statesmen or
persistent book agents who invaded
the office.
why so distant, AcuShla? Doesn't
Tommy sound good to you any more?
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
bag.
And smile smile, smle!n
"Them's my sentiments every time.
Fellow that wrote that song must have
been a real fellow. One who knows
that a smile makes the digging easier,
whether you're digging with shovel,
or pen or IA sword
Tommy's voice faltered a little on
the last word and he gazed a trihe
anxiousy and uncertainty at his silent
companion.
"Er-Ann, there's something I've
been wanting to tell you, and don't
see why | mlghtn't as well tell you
now"
Ann was panic-stricken. Why could
not Tommy be satisfied with things as
they were and not begin treading on
dangerous ground. Besdes-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
Regain. 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 strapping, stalwart
youth, clean-cut and pleasing to the
eye. Aggressive and intelligent he
had in him the making of a splendid
American soldier
But he had not enlisted when the
nationwide call for volunteers went
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. 1t was constantly
In AIMS thoughts, but certain hest
fancy had prevented her from intro
ducing the topic. and though she had
skated dangerously close at times, for
all of Tommy's unfailing cheerfulness
and apparent willingness to chat on
anything and everything under the
sun, somehow he had never given her
clue as to his real reason for putting
himself in the Stacker class
Ann herself was an ardent patriot.
Fifteen dollars week Is not munifi-
cent sum, but when girl lives ~
home the stretching qualities Of even
a meager fifteen dollars are remark
able. So by dint Of wearing her last
seasons suit, by studiously keeping
her head turned the other way when
passing an ice-cream parlor, by sundry
small economies and self-denials con
Stantly practlced the world over by
thousands of working girls, she was
able 10 buy a Liberty bond. to join the
Red Cross and To contribute her mite
TO various special funds for the benefit
of Our Boys" She was even now
learning to knit in the From Pothooks
10 Knitting Needles" class recently
launched at the office.
SO when Tommy announced in that
serious tone that he had something to
toll her she mentally hesought her pa
iron saint to ward off the imminent
proposal without hurting the lads feel
ingS or destroying their friendship
For. after all. thought Ann they had
grown up together as neighbors. and
there had always been a friendly feel
ing between the two families. though
of late years the social intercourse had
been confined chiefly to the young
people save for an occasional cross
fhe-fence chat between Mrs. Regain
and AIMS mother.
They were on quiet side street now
and her prayer seemed hopeless when.
1ust as Tommy started to resume his
confidence. the heaven-sent Interrupt
ton occurred. The interruption was
lust a pair of lovers strolling along
arm in arm-a scene old as the ages