The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-08-06

her sisters as they gathered around
the table for the evening meal.
"That makes me think, julie" the
other sister Joined in. 81 saw Rod
Taylor in town this afternoon, and
he certainty looked well. He came in
on the afternoon train, and If I'm not
mistaken, was in soldiers uniform,
TOO. Better not show his face round
these quarters, though, eh, Jule| she
continued.
Julia said nothing, but If it were
not for the gathering twilight the 9th
ers might have noted the tears in her
eyes. For "Rod Taylor" was name
she was trying to put out Of her mind,
md finding it so hard to do. The
meal finished and her sisters on their
way to keep the evenings engagement,
Julia went out to the shed for the
ladder. preparatory to the unfurling
of "Old Glory" Carrying it around
10 the front of the honse, she braced
it against the balcony over the large
piazza, and with the flag, beautiful
silk one and new staff on her arm,
ascended to her lefty position and
was soon busily engaged.
! She was, in fact, SO hard at work
, that the buzz of little voices below
failed to attract her attention.
"Cheese it. Jimmie" tow-headed
chap was mutterins into the ear of his
companion. "Shell hear u.s." all the
time tugglng vigorously at the ladder.
Finally their evil purpose accomplish
led. the two disappeared around the
tcorner of the house, boy at each end
of the ladder snickering at the joke
they were playing on Aunt julie.
Brother Bob's twins for such they
were, bore the reputation in the neigh
borhood of young terors, and it Is
safe to say they did not have to work
overtime to live up to that repu-
tation.
If our little patriot failed to witness
the villany of her young nephews,
soldier of Uncle Sam coming rapidly
down the street did not for he came
to an abrupt halt at the corner.
As Julia prepared to descend to
terra frma, and @ealized the predica-
ment she was in, a little cry escaped
her "Well, | suppose there's nothing
to do now but to wait for the girls
TO come home" she bravely exclaim-
! ed. sinking down on the floor Of the
balcony.
II was practically dark, and the lone
illness Of the silent street appalled, her
50 that she was soon in tears. Try
hard as she might she could not keep
her thoughts from reverting back to
the evening meal and TO what her sis
ter had said Of Rod Taylor He who
had betrayed his trust. She found
herself saying his name over and over,
when suddenly from the darkness be-
low came a voice:
"Can be Of any assstance|
Julia jumped to her feet, and peer
ed over the balcony to see the form Of
man in the shadows below. She
made no reply until it came again.
Might l be Of some assistance"
Her voice a trihe unsteady return
ed: "Why, yes, if you will get lad
der from the back shed, and let me
down, l will be greatly obliged"
The sound of retreatlng footsteps
told her he was at her bidding, and
soon he was back again. She heard
him putting the ladder in place, and
to her surprise heard his footsteps on
the rungs. Evidently ne was testing
its steadiness. No, he was coming up
and Julia peered again over the bal
cony. AS he neared the top she found
herself looking into a pair of brown
eyes. eyes she knew, and which held
her speechless for the moment.
"Rod Taylor" she exclaimed after a
long minute. "Why are YOU here, and
where did you come from?"
"Why, Julia" he answered, ST have
come for you, Of course. And why not,
dear. Didn't you receive my mes
sage?"
"But-but l don't understand" she
returned. you have never even an
swered my letters, and have received
no message from you, no, not even
word since you left me-" Backing
away from the railing as she. spoke.
Can it be possible, Julia?" he re-
turned. "True, have been i'll in camp,
and quarantined for the last three
months, in fact so III 1 could receive
no letters and, Of course, could not
write, but did try to send you mes
sages through the boys, but guess it
was no avail after all. I just recently
obtained my furlough, and came as
quickly as possible"
"But-your marriage" she inter-
rupted. "One of the girls read about
it in the paper and told ME"
"Oh, you little goose" he shouted in
glee, then more soberly: ibid you not
trust me more than that, little girl?
The only marriage 1 was in was a
mock one, and then I was the bride.
Just a little fun the fellows were hav-
ing to pass the time away, while j
was recuperating. I viii show you
the picture"
But there was no need for further
words. for Julia held out her hands,
and with a bound the young soldier
.o~ 1,-or H. l,1loorr r-ofI whore I'm