The Lamar register., 1918-03-06

The train slid away. making very
few stops. save at functions and
large towns, where new recruits got
on.
Suddenly there was a lurch and a
stop at place where no stop was
| evidently intended-that is, where no
| stop was marked on regular sched-
ules for either through or commut-
Ing trains. But ever after Dick knew
that in the signal tower of Destin's
Dominions an order had gone out for
the train to stop right there beside
meadow In which sheep were
placidly grazing, row of gray geese
were clumsily and hastily retreating-
and beautiful gray-eyed girl In blue
gingham was looking over a fence.
Right then and there something
Topped into the void in Dicks heart.
And when through the open window
his eyes finally held hers and she
smiled and nodded in a quite friendly
manner. he ceased cropping in that
bottomless region of loneliness.
The engine whistled then and pre-
pared to depart. Good lucki |" she
called. 1t was meant for Dick.
Much obliged" he called back, ap-
probation showing in his eyes.
where are you golng?" asked the
girl. as the train didn't move.
GEORGIA." said Dick. Fort Ogle-
thorpe"
"Oh." said the girl. that's splendid.
l know lots of people there"
The train whistled again warningly,
and the procession of geese. which had
taken courage and returned to the
fence. started on their second retreat.
Suddenly the girl stopped and pick
ed up the big. fat leader in her arms.
squawking and protesting. Before
Dick knew what she was doing. she
was over the fence, holding her Of
fering up to his window.
Here, take her for a mascot" sho
said. kissing the top Of the astonished
and indignant fowls head. "Call her
Katherine" she said.
katherine it is," answered Dick,
gratefully. He knew that she knew
he had asked her name and been given
It,
The engine whistled again. This
time the train pulled out. with wnv-
ings and good-bys. Dick. clasping
Katherine tightly In his arms, felt like
singing for pure Joy.
Days. weeks, months of hard train
ing ensued. There were hours of dis
couragement and inconsistencies and
misgfvings for whnt was ahead.
But the old gray goose. the COM
pany mascot. was a real source OF
comfort to the young man who
thought often OF the real gray-eyed
Katherine. somewhere up in Ohio.
One dny-a Sunday afternoon. when
he was OF duty and feeling particu-
larly Ionely-he had picked up the
goose and gone on down the road.
Later one Of his captains coming up
quietly and unexpectedly. heard him
talking to some one. and peering over
the fence. found Dick addressing his
pet.
Katherine. you're the most ador-
able person | ever saw. Your eyes
heavens, such eyes | can't sleep for
thinking of them. And your smile
! wonder II I'll ever see you smile
againf I must see you. I've got to
world over. I'm going to be made a
captain. Katherine. because you wish
ed me good luck. I've worked for
you-just for you. Really"
Hey. you - called the captain. II
was conduct quite unbecoming an Of
ncer but Il actually Is what he said.
Dick sprang to his feet and salut-
ed, noticing the letter In his superb
or's hand.
"How you two hit It up, 1 don't
know, but Kit writes to me to hunt
up q man with a gray goose and
bring him home for Thanksgiving
dinner. She doesn't say whether she
means you or the goose. but here's
hoping" He grinned.
"Oh, Katherine. Katherine. I'll have
to kiss you for that" said Dick. and
picking up the old goose he kissed
the top Of her head where the girls
lips had once rested.
Then he held out his hand. Tell
her I'll come" he said gratefully.