The Lamar register., 1919-07-16
The New Life
By JESSIE ETHEL SHERWIN

Copyright. 1919. By Western Newspaper union.)
Bertha Druse purposely put herself
In the way of meeting John Barker
whenever occasion encouraged. She
passed the time Of day quite casually
to all appearances. but always man
aged to detain him long enough to ask
him a question In which lay her vivid
interest:
"What do you hear from Allan?"
At the first Mr. Barker had answered
with a scowl and carping TRADE
against the boy who had run away
from home and had made all skies and
sevens of his destiny. Some spark of
humane interest In the old man, how
ever. became revivifed when he
learned Indirectly that Allan had gone
abroad q volunteer for Uncle Sam.
Then with some pride he told Bertha
that he had received a two-line letter
from Allan. He even showed II to
Bertha: Dear Old Dad: 1 have cut
out drinking. It's all fighting now"
And such a glad, rapturous sparkle
came TO the eyes of the longing girl.
and such a glorious flush to her fair,
hcbh ihce tllHt Mr. DHrkeT eAtldlfntus
Hello what's this2 Surely you
haven't any hankering after that
young scapegracew
But aren't you glad that Allan has
has reformedf Oh dear Mr.. Barker,
II he only comes back to the world
and Its old sweet waysi"
POETRY Sentiment 70 scofred Mr..
Barker. "I haven't much faith I'm the
boy" but Bertha fancied there was a
false note to his avowed disbelief.
Hes coming home. Allan is.- an
nounced Mr.. Barker one day in the
armistice year. "He thinks next
MONTH" and he put out his hand to
steady Bertha, for she acted as though
herself. however. but her lips moved
tremulously as though in mute
prayer of giadness and hope.
Allan Barker had made record for
himself at the front. Not only that.
but he had picked up a small fortune
He was one Of q group which had sur
prised q party of looters among the
enemy who had slaughtered half of the
Inhabitants of a little town and had
burned down every house In sight
There had been a sanguinary fight. Aft
er It was all over Allan showed to his
commanding officer little sack filled
with gold and Jewels, which he had
wrested from one of the foe.
WELL" observed this official. "you
had better turn II In"
ITO what department? inquired AL
Ian.
To your own personal safekeeping."
came the reply. Its ownership can
not be traced. It is fair jetsam, we've
got too much heavy fighting ahead to
bother with trifies. Call IL a trophy of
the conflict and take II home as a
souvenir"
you bet I'll make good use of it"
declared Allan reverently. and he did.
And when he appeared at his native
town a few months after that. surely
returned warrior never vaunted such
Interesting mementoes of his expert
ence abroad For when he left the
train. just AT dusk, four neat-appear-
Ing. happy-faced children, ranging
from four to twelve years, accompa-
MED him.
A"ihti WIS Ine
way he registered the strange group,
and the hotel landlord stared, and his
motherly wife took charge of the lit
tie ones as though they were her own.
when she learned that they were all
that was left of Belgian peasant
family.
I've simply adopted the four.
That's my share. I'm thinking of the
foriorn orphan refugees. I'm lucky
having quite a snug sum to care for
them" advised Allan proudly.
"Oh. isn't 1t just like you. Allan Bar.
ker, and no one else :" enthused the
sympathetic lady. you were always
good and grand at heart, for all your
wild ways"
Il wonder II dad will echo that SEN
timentr said Allan. I'm on the look
out for mother for those little ones.
and think l know where to go to find
her. Then there's home needed