Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-06
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
A Happy Surprise for Both
By Eua II. Martin
ttTNHERE now" said Rhoda s., It's
L finished, and I'm glad, for 1t GER

~ 'fiEftb now Saiu hiouA 90
L finished, and I'm glad, for It GER
tainly has been n hard job, but 1t looks
good. I'm proud of II, and I'm going
to spend all my spare time knitting for
the soldiers. They have hard jobs. too.
at times. And when I stop to think or
what they are doing for us it makes
me ashamed of myself for calling this
a hard job But It's the first knitting
! ever did. And mother says after
have finished two or three I'll be an ex-
pert. I wonder II ever will, for when
! look closely at this sweater l can see
oh. dear me guess I'll have to rip
this all out again and pick them up,
and they are fully four inches back:
It wsTe fDe mine wah said Ser sister @ looking
up for the first time during the CONVEX
sation from the sock she was about to
finish. I'D simply darn that place ana
let II go at that. The soldier who Is
little thing like that. And If he does
notice It he will wonder who took the
pains to mend It so neatly and possibly
looks like"
well, to save him the trouble I'm
going to write my name and address
IN a slip Of paper and tuck it inside
somewhere"
Better still, put one of your little
pictures in it, Just for fun
NO, wouldn't like TO do that. Some
fellow from around here might get it.,
and think me fine little goose,
"Oh. go on" teased Mabel. "it might
prove romantic and I'm sure none Of
the boys who know us will ever get T.
But wouldn't It be fun If brother Bill
would think you had got to be some
knitter' since he went TO camp"
After much argument the photograph
was chosen and tucked away In little
corner provided for the purpose. and
the sweater, together with Mabels socks,
returned to the local branch OF the
American Red Cross. where 1t was
packed in box. with many ether COM
forts for the boys who. were to re-
main in western camp for the winter:
In due time the consignment reached
camp, and each soldier received com.
fort kit. in which were many useful and
necessary articles,
One evening a few weeks later, as Bill
S. sat writing letters he was surprised
to see his old college chum. Jim w.
reading newspaper at the other end
in France months ago
Hello there, Jim, old man, how are
you? Thought you were chasing the
Huns back to Berlin long, ago"
NO. I had hoped to be doing that,
but Cur company has not gone across
yet. We have been transferred here,
and can't say I like the change, for
it Is Is cold. I think l would have frozen nn
the Red Cross--fts like glove; and see
what found tucked in the corner I!
Really. you'll think I've gone crazy
when tell, you, I'm in, love with her.
dream CT her, take this little picture
out ten times a day and look at It and
wonder If I'll ever have the good luck
70 meet her. Why, what's up Bill?
But Bill only answered: She's pretty,
and I'm glad you. like her. Hope she
approves of you when you meet. l must
get busy and finish my letters. I'm
ONE r" furlough for eight days.
starting tomorrow. I wish you could
arrange it and come along with me.
I've a little surprise planned for you"
What's the surprise? No, you won't
thing like the ,prnnks you used to put
over on the old professor. Ha! hal"
Two days later Bill and his friend,
Lieutenant W.. arrived at the 8. home
said the girls were out, but would soon
be back. Just then the doorbell rang
and two bright young ladies rushed in
and almost smothered Bill with EN-
braces.
There. there. girls, Hold off a min
ute until l present my old chum, Jim
w" Then came :" ST.
once recognized Rhoda as the girl of
! glances at Bill, who was enjoying the
joke to perfection.
Say, what did l tell you, Jim! Some
surprise, eh?''
The girls wanted to know what Bill
meant by the surprise" and Jim ex-
planned by saying it was some of their
silly college trichs he was referring to.
But when he knew Rhoda better and
had an opportunity to speak with her
alone he took from the corner of a GER
tain brown sweater with neat little
| uend in I Re pic ure > had shown
Bill, and told her the whole story, and
more, too. Then was Rhoda surprised
also, and very happy and she promised
Jim she would continue to knit for the
soldiers. but would not put her picture
| IN any more.
Tomorrow complete novelette-"The