The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-31
EVENING STORY
The New Decoration.
BY IZOLA FORESTER.

1AO11A
The little gray frame house stood
behind q row of naples on what peo-
pie in Bethel called the "old wood
road" Laura Coles had lived in it
alone since her fathers death. In the
summer passersby saw her out at the
old well sweep, or bending over her
flower garden. In the winter she was
welcome aid at the village social
centers, pretty, cheerful, tactful, a
born organizer.
When the first spring came after
the war Bethel as usual felt a tremor
of anxiety because it had no soldiers
resting places to decorate. Four miles
away was Sanders Point. close to the
shore, and here they held services in
the little white meeting house, and
trailed spring flowers down to the old
burial lot to mingle with flags above
the mounds there of old G.. A. r.
former regiments.
Miss Atkins said, folding up her apron
tho Thursday before, at the close of
the sewing circles session in her
home, sort of pitiful that Bethel has
to trot over every year and celebrate
at the Point. Where in tunket were
all our boys anyhow when the call
came in 81? 1t always rifles me when
[ see the date ahead of me, and know
I've got to listen to them folks tell of
their heroes, and we haven't got so
much as Il tattered flag here"
Laura heard from the wall closet,
where she was putting half finished
summer comforters. The apple trees
were in blossom outside the open win
dow and a riotous bluebird swayed
perilously near to give her a friendly
hail, but she scarcely heard it.
How could they all think of sixty
years ago and the little petty rivalries
when the great world war was just
arms length away, and they were
bringing Walt home that very day?
She had passed Elsie driving to the
station after him, little Elsie, barely
fourteen, with the full burden of the
motherless family on her shoulders
and a shiftless father to depend upon.
Going after Walt, Miss Coles she
had called joyously. Hes coming
home for good now
The hot tears stung Laura's eyes as
she drove on. Walt, the one standby
of the family! They had always been
sweethearts, ever, since the old days
of playing postoffice and clap-in,
clap-out, at parties. 1t had been I'M
derstood that some golden day, when
her father was willing to let her go,
and Walt had persuaded his father
to take hold and work to relieve him,
they might be married
Then he had been with the first of
the boys to volunteer. and only his
letters from overseas had bridged the
time between. She knew when he
was wounded. and of the long months
in the hospital after the close of the
war. but no letter had come to her
since he had gone into the last action.
Only when Elsie sent her his letters
to read over did she know what was
happening. and she was too proud to
ask why he did not write to her now
Perhaps, she thought, 1t was another
romance that had followed in France.
She could hardly blame him. The
time had been long.
But now he would come home and
there was no celebration for him, no
committee of welcome at the barren
little station. no flag wavings, nothing
but Elsie driving down in the old
ramshackle wagon behind Major, the
Barstow standby
Think you can give couple of
cakes this year, Laura? ?" asked the
minister's wife and suddenly the
words seemed to fire Laura's tongue
with courage. She turned around and
faced the sewing circle. Breathlessly
she talked. urging. pleading, trying to
open their eyes and make them see
the new, splendid duty that lay at
their door. until finally, when she
ceased, Miss Atkins wiped her ewes
with a Quick little pat and rose to
propose they all join in and help deco
rate the living.
Decoration day was clear and sunny.
Walt came in from the barn with one
of the twins riding his shoulder and
kissed Elsie as she slipped by him. His
father sat by the kitchen window
porting over a timetable. 1t had been
Waits idea, sending him out to Ohio
to visit his brother and get a new
angle on LIFE
Dads been tied here for thirty