Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-08-15
MARYS SOLDIER
BY MARGUERITE /. BLUE.

'''A'AA lE'ssi,--i NJ
In one Of our Northern statos v.bor,
the mountains rise highest and stroa,ns
now swirtest, there lies securely hid.
deh from the world tiny bop,lo+
oh the last most graceful curve of
the road leading from the town ON
slightly raised ground. stood with
qu,et superiority, long, low comfort
ABLY modern bungalow,
Behind the guardians. Mrs. Nrardar
mistress of the house and mother NJ
TOUR healthy grown children. set IN q
low wicker rocker knitting. Not nuite
forty, plump, and with sense of bu-
NOR Mrs. Marden surveyed life from
safe and sane altitude. Now os She
sat, her face suddenly lighted and she
smiled as she rose in greeting to her
partner who was equally plump, a 1T
tie over forty and with the same
sense of humor
supper ready, mother7" he asked
with that intimacy which needs no &C.
acknowledgement of meeting.
"Yes, We'll sit right down. Come.
Mary and Dot" she called 10 her first
and last born. Come, boys" this last
TO two boys just turned into serious
young manhood, recognized by care.
fuiiy tied neckties and perfectly
creased trousers. Supper Is ready"
How could they know. quietly eating
their evening meal that the great god
Mars had sent his dark cloud to hang
over America. That Clotho the distaff
holder, had snarled her golden threads
and only by breaking them could
her sister 90 on spinning.
Mother, mother, someone's coming
up the driye?' cried Dot, smultane-
ously pushing back her chair, the rest
following her. why, it's Burt" from
father. How do you do, Burta
You're just in time. We were just
having supper,
"Oh, no. protested Burt; don't put
yourselves out for me-"
mo fear of that" laughed Mrs Mar
den. Hastily another place was set,
and the joyiality increased.
I'm sorry folks, but I've something
ing up here tonight is rather unexpect-
ed. But you see, it's this way. I've
I've" he looked at Mary who was
waiting breathessly, her fork poised
in the air. I've enlisted and I've got
/ to leave tomorrow at four"
Mary lowered her fork to her plate
What was this he said? Could 1t be
true? He going. Actually going Her
Burt. Mr.. Marden and the boys food
| ed him with questions. Would they
never stop? And finally, when the sup
| per was over, they carried him off TO
| the cool piazza to ask more.
Mary wandered through the house
aimlessly, looking first through win
dow al some distant scenery. then at
her flowers, which she loved and al
ways tried to keep in the house. AL
ways through her mind the phrases
repeated themselves, Can 1t be pos
| SlDltt ne IL ItollH SpliS' many
she seated herself at the piano and
played. She played well. but it made
her feel infinitely lonely.
1t was there that he found her. He
came in quietly and stood beside her.
1t seemed as if there was nothing to
be said
MARY, it is very late. You will wait
TIL I come back, Mary? You must
wait"
Yes" she replied. Il shall always
wait He kissed her very gently
|
Mary Marden walked slowly home
from the Red Cross club, knitting as
| she walked. She had been rolling
bandages most Of The day and now she
was tired The outlook on life had
changed very much for her
MARY, Mary, telegram ~ shouted
Dot, racing toward her.
"A telegram" repeated Mary weak
| ~. "WhereT
"Bnrs got It," said Dot, as II she
| had impaired SOihe IhiPVi to'' i W
ton.
"Bnlie, do hurry" from Mary. But
! Billie. with exasperating sloWness'
handed her all the rest Of the mail be-
fore he got to the telegram.
Mary tore off one end of the enve-
lope, not needing In her haste now
she got 1t off. Her hands tremDieo
SO that she could hardly unfold II.
"Why, why" she exclaimed. Hes
in this country and never knew
He'll probably be up here in a couple
of weeks. Come quick. Let's tell
mother and father
She was tired no longer. The birds
sang sweeter, the sky looked bluer'
the sun shone brighter as she hurrleo