Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1918-09-28
A GOOD IMPULSE
BY MILDRED WHITE.
Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate.)

VSORAAA 6ht, A0ios NY Tic nlCSluAS ANSWSRe~
per Syndicate)
"What a change, Edna, in two short
years! Life then was one round Of
pleasure" "Oh, cheer up, Alice Clay
ton. Busy yourself with what's going
on today and you'll find enough to do.
Here am puzzling myself to find a
way to pay car fares, room rent, buy
lunches and now War Savings stamp
each month, and all on a salary Of $40
a week."
The Claytons at one time had been
among the wealthiest families in Sea-
vile. OF. late fate had dealt harshly
with them; mother and father had
been victims Of an auto accident and a
sudden change in the stock market had
left them with little more than the old
homestead.
II have it, Alicei" exclaimed Edna
after few thoughtful moments. "All
that old jewelry we have in the bottom
Of our trunk will take to the melting
pot tomorrow. Guess 1 will at least
get one War Savings stamp for all we
have stored away, and that will be my
stamp for June. Come along now and
help me get it out. Oh, there's my little
| silver watch, nearly ten years old. I
doubt If used it dozen times. How
proud was the night first wore it"
Lunch hour next day was devoted to
disposing of her treasures, and evening
found her overjoyed with the results.
"Oh, sis |" cried Edna; "just look-two
| War Savings stamps Isn't that great?
I'm so happy don't know what to do"
'Yes, Edna, it's fine" said Alice;
'you're always so fortunate in all your
undertakings"
"The little watch gave to the Red
Cross" continued Edna excitedly, "as
they said it was too good for the melt
ing pot"
An eventful month followed, and
then came Edna's big vacation. "A fine
chance to mend your old Clothes" ad-
vised Alice as she was leaving for work
Monday morning.
eyes," said Edna as she curled her
self up on the couch, buried in one of
the latest novels.
Monday morning Fred Morse had
been discharged from st. Vincent's
hospital, and expected to sail for New
York the following day. Two long
weeks, the longest he had known in
his whole life, had been spent in this
hospital. the result Of having been in
jured doing his bit. Together with
four others, he had been chosen to
give course of lectures at Camp Up
land, and the next day they were to
start for the U. S. A.
"Tm completely lost without my
wrist watch" said Fred to his nurse,
Miss Synd.
Perhaps can get you one; 1t was
only last night the president Of rour
Red Cross branch announced the re-
ceipt Of some watches. and If there are
any left will get one for you"
"There," said Miss Synd as she pre-
scented Fred with watch that after
noon. her great brown eyes sparkling
with Joy, ''the only one left" Fred
thanked her sincerely and, opening the
case, small piece Of paper dropped
out, on which was written: Soon
tributed by Edna M. Clayton, Seaville,
Mass" Was he still unconscious, or
was 1t really true? Yes, it surely was
| SO, for there on the cover was the IA
miliar monogram, "E. M. c."
For some time he sat dreaming. In
fancy she was with him once again.
He could hear her gayly chatting or
humming song as they padded up
river in his favorite canoe. And Edna,
pink-cheeked and eyes Of azure blue,
| with her fair golden curls blowing In
the gentle summer breeze, resting SO
| comfortably among the cushions.
SWELL" thought Fred, my dear old
sweetheart, I'll give you the surprise
of your life when land in New York"
! The persistent ringing Of the door
bell reused Edna from her reading.
What! A letter from Fred Morse post
marked New York! Gould 1t be posi-
BILE? Quickly tearing open the en-
velope she read of his receiving the
wrist watch and the slip of paper in
side. "Will be home by Wednesday.
Gould we plan for canoe ride Thurs
day evening? I will phone you
| Wednesday night"
Edna could hardly realize that Fred
was really coming to see her again, as
she had thought he had long since for
| gotten her. Anxiously she waited for
the phone call and with still greater
| anxiety for Thursday evening to come.
The great. beautiful moon cast its
silvery light upon the old familiar
river as Fred and Edna slowly padded
to their favorite ''cozy corner" Shell
tered by overhanging branches, Fred
settled himself down beside Edna.
Gently drawing her head to his shout
der, he whispered, "Will you be my
own sweetheart forever, Edna? will
be here for month, and how happy
would be to know that you were really
mine before return to camp. Say
yes, dear, and don't keep me in sus-
pense." Edna family murmured the
desired Eyes," and as Fred brushed
hack har fair onlIop n,,rlc, ~ 1~;..od