South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-23

1t was only when the light started 10
fade outside that she got up, and
walking over put the flag away. But
after David had departed for SYRIA
cuse, she went back TO get the flag
and hung it in the window. No
body knew where David had gone.
At least, the neighbors should think
that he had done the right thing,
and perhaps if il were up there,
somehow
But II was Mrs. Murphy who shat
tered this dream. And what's that
up there for?" she inquired. Mrs.
Harvey informed her it was Dayid's
service flag, and she looked at her in
establishment.
For David? For David a service
nag?"
Yes" Mrs. Harvey answered
quietly, hes serving"
David serving" Mrs. Murphy
said. She threw her head back and
laughed aloud. Yes, serving drinks
over the bar in Syracuse" and then
she pointed 10 the flag. Now you
take that right down. You amt got
no right to 1t. The idea of cheating
like that"
Mrs. Harvey looked at her help
lessly. But maybe if it stays up
-" but the big Irishwoman just
shook her head.
You just pack that away in
camphor. Your David amt that
kind"
Some two months later Mrs.
Murphy, her market basket on her
arm, coming down the stairs. almost
bumped into David. We'll. if il
amt the 'ProdigaP returned" she
said. putting her basket down.
Tired of the army?" David looked
at her with a frown.
ct amt in the army" But Mrs.
Murphy continued sarcastically.
ct thought maybe you were. seem
as how your Ma had the flag up"
Then she told him the story of the
nag. But I made her take it
down. She's gone clean daft on
that there star business. She seemed
to think maybe if she had it up
you'd" But David interrupted her.
That will be all of that" He
turned and started to go.
Are you going back 10 syria
cuse?" Mrs. Murphy questioned.
David stopped.
No" he said. Il amt goin' back
you now. You'll know it anyhow.
got fired. and I'm here to find some
thing else. Don't tell Ma I was here
till I get my new job"
81 won't" Mrs. Murphy nodded.
She's upset enough now. she's GER
tainly got that flag on the brain.
You'd thing it was a baby the way
she cries over it and fondles it,
But again David interrupted her
dercely.
Cant you talk about anything
else? Mrs. Murphy, who had
started 10 take her basket up
again. put it down quickly.
Now por're starting in. too. Amt
it enough TO have you Ma gone daft
over It? You'd have laughted if
you'd seen her face when I made
her take it down. Gee, it was fun
ny"
1T must have been funny" the
boy said in hard tones, and without
saying goodbye. was gone.
IT was a tired Mrs. Harvey who
mounted to her rooms that evening.
There she went ov.~, as was her
wont, and opening TIE drawer, look
ed sadly at the service flag she had
spread out A knock came on the
door. When she opened it. a little
sharp cry came from her lips, and
she had TO steady herself against a
chair. for there in the doorway stood
David in the uniform OF an Ameri-
can soldier
you can put up your flag now"
he said. rather Embarrassed. You
were too much for me. Ma"
David. my David" Mrs. Harvey
said softly, and her hand went out
just barely resting in the cloth as
IL afraid TO touch it David patted
her on the back in rather rough
way. II was supposed TO be affec-
tomato. and his voice was gruff when
he spoke.
L couldn't forget that last cry
you gave and that fias." slowly he
took the flag from the open drawer.
II kept seeing stars everywhere and
it got between me and my work I'M
til they fired me. Then today Mrs.
Murphy was laughing at you, and
guess that was the last straw Well.
I've done it Mrs. Harvey looked at
him proudly.
Now that you're a soldier. 1