Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-03-14
The Peace
Dove .
By RAY WARBOURNE

copyright. 1919. BY Western Newspaper Union)
Our darling Aida lay in what reseln-
hlcd Il trance all through the early
autumn days and then regained her
strength sufficiently to sit up in bed
and even In chair at the window.
Since that fatal day. however, when we
found her ~ Ing face downward on the
floor Of her room dead, to all seeming.
she had not spoken word. There
had come into her eyes u strange ex-
preSSiOn-a glaze. a dead, dread stare.
She appeared to observe nothing before
her or directly In her proximity. Her
glance was far. rs though way beyond
her there doomed n picture that held
soul and body in II deep thrall.
When we came to inspect the news
paper all torn and crumpled up in her
hand, we. too. knew the truth. Among
tho list Of war casualties was the name
of Adrian Farrar. He had been direct
~ Mt the front in the aviation service,
his machine had been seen to drop all
ablaZe within the lines of the enemy,
and the brave young volunteer, the
fiance Of Aida, had apparently met his
fate. The blow had crushed our darling
child. When after the lapse OF n week
she somewhat aroused from the dead
ening influence, she recognized nobody.
The doctor was puzzled at the case,
hoped that with time the brain cloud
would pass away.
! When the rarmistice was announced
the little town went wild with excite
mont "a tr{of1 tn oLo
stand what had taken place, but she
did not seem to have the normal men,
tally to comprehend us coherently.
The biaring Of bands. the cheers, the
general commotion Of the occasion dis.
turbed her greatly. She closed oil the
windows of her room and wrapped her
self up In the couch coverings, ns II to
shut out sounds that struck harshly
and unwelcome upon her senses.
. do you think IL we could rouse up
Aida and drive into the midst of the
celebration. IT. would awaken her mind
and clear her clouded faculties?" I
asked the doctor.
; Il fear the strain might pros,rarc.
her." he replied. and the day passed Ivy
with the poor child having no con""p.
ton Of what It's unusual turmoil Si.n-
fed.
Among the decorations Of the little
park square around which clustered the
business establishments of the town
was large white dove. 1t had been
hastily made and the material was
crude. but as 1t was poised upon an
emergency pedestal within the basin of
the fountain, It was striking and at
tractive feature of the occasion. 1t wac
allowed to remain in place and q
month went by, winter came on. and
! recall one day when it rained and
then froZc, and when the sun came out
the glistening effect was fairly beau
tiful.
wonderful piece Of news came to
us one day. Adrian Farrnr had es-
capcd death. Quite severely injured.
he had fallen into the hands Of the en-.
envy abroad, had escaped and was now
on his way hOmeward. We tried TO
convey the glad intelligence to Aida
but her >dulled intellect was unable
to comprehend 1t.
do not despair" encouraged the
'H>h souiiS II uiiuf COllcS
home and Aida sees him IT NAV Mt
once arouse her from her. strange
letharGy."
Aida was greatly attached to a light
pretty dress that Adrian had often nd
mired and which she wore the evening
they had last parted. She would mr.
ray herself in this after reclining most
or the day, arrange her beautiful hnir.
put on neck chain that Adrian Ind
given her. and then seat herself Mt tho
window, grooming low, mournful tune
and gazing ont blankly Mt the garden
ana street. 1t was about eight O'Clock
one evening when her brother came
rushing down the stairs with a dread
ful announcement:
"Oh, mother Alida--she is pone,"
We found the rear door of the house
open and marks Of the dainty low slip
pers she wore In the snow. Aida had
gone forth In light thin garb with no
head covering. and we shuddered mt a
thought Of the possible results OF the
exposure.
Unguided, led by what hayward
thought she never comprehended, Aida
had wandered toward the center of
the town. A lad living near us had
been the first one to notice and rec
ogn'ze her. Astare, electrified, he had
shrunk back in n sort of superstitious
rear as he came across her. She had
reached the fountain, had climbed I'D
Into Its basin and there she was crouch
Ell, her arms about the celebration
dove. her hon a pestliny ,,no,, t. ,...