The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-07-03
JUST PALS
BY BESSIE sLAvIT.
"What shall I do? He ia comin

for France.
1t had been a boy and girl friend
ship. Both popular, Bob and Fay were
constantly together during their Sc
Nor year in high school. Everywhere,
at baseball, at dances, at school enter
tainments, Bob was her faithful escort.
AS he possessed admirable qualities,
he was a very %congenial companion !;
most particularly, because he always
strove to please Fay.
But that was four years ago, when
Fay was only eighteen. She had chang
ed considerably since then, and the
chief factor in her change was her ac-
quaintance with Hugh Wrentham.
How well she remembered meeting
him at a dance two years ago.
Hugh was oder than Bob and had
Travelled a great deal. It was interest
ing to hear a recital of his travels she
could listen forever for the sheer en-
joyment of hearing his voice. What
a delightful spring and summer they
| spent together!
Then the parting! Alas It was the
only sad experience In her young life
that parting from Hugh.
Fay had never written to Bob about
Hugh-Bob, who admired her so much
and was so proud of his little pal"
as he called her.
Now, Bob was coming home-he
might call at the house this very after
noon! How could she tell him! How
could she hurt him, he who was so
easily wounded in his deep regard for
her.
She perceived two men In uniform
coming at a quick pace towards the
house. She arose from the big arm
chair in which she had been nervous
ly knitting, walked to the window and
peered out. Yes; it was Bob, grown
broader, perhaps, but with the same
peculiar gait. But the other? Could
1t be he, that other who looked so
much like Hugh? He hadn't written
that he expected to arrive. Did he
mean to surprise her? She watched
intently until they came nearer, when
she saw that it was indeed Highland
she uttered a sharp cry. Her heart
bounded with Joy, her whole body
quivered as she recognized him.
Good heavens! Why was he coming
with Bob? Wild fancies fitted through
her mind and she felt as If a cyclone
was carrying her off her feet and
whirlirg her round and round.
Doh yupc tho 6rSt RI urnat bar oru-
ing. cheerily:
well, Fay, old girl, won't you well
come a fellow back from the jaws of
deathp
Bob! Hugh !-what-how-" but
unable to say more, she collapsed at
their feet.
Fay, why don't you say something's
Bob. asked soothingly. as anything
wrOng?"
. Fay could only glance at Hugh ap-
p%ealingly, for she could not speak. AL
though her face betrayed her secret,
Bob had already OWNED the cause OF
her agitation. He motioned to Hugh
to leave the room, then, drawing a
chair to Fay's side:
Fay, dear little chum, please don't
feel distressed. I already know the
truth" Fay cast q furtive glance at
his face-half surprised, half fright,
ened. you see," he continued, 81 met
Hugh on board ship coming home. We
became inseparables and pledged an
everlasting friendship. Hugh, know,
ing nothing of our old friendship,
spoke of your mutual love. I then told
him that we were school friends and
he was delighted to talk to sOmeone
who knew you. When we arrived he
insisted upon my coming with him, de-
spite my remonstrances. Everything
is just as it should be, Fay, and ]
shall be delighted to see you both hap
py together"
Fay seemed to gain new strength
The color mounted to her cheeks and
her eyes glistened. Rising from the
chair, she held out her hands to him
Bob, I thought you-you-"
Bob laughed-a joyful, relieved
laugh it was-and replied:
ray, ueuT, lOuE years ago wien
we were both too young to Judge wise
ly, we made d premature decision. AS
for me, / shall always esteem you i'm
mensely and shall never forget the de
lightful times spent with you, little pal
but'-here he blushed and paused
awkwardly; then, while a happy ex
preston spread over his .countenance
he boyishly cried: Gay, here is g
picture of the sweetest little girl In
the world to me, a girl whom I me-
in Paris; ;" and he opened his watch
case, which disclosed to Fay the love
ly face of a girl about twenty years
Of age. "Now that everything Is hap
PLY adjusted between you and me
shall sail to France within a month
and claim the most wonderful Ameri
can girl who braved the dangers Of
war and brought me back to life."
"Oh, Bob, I'm so glad!" was all sh,
said, as tears Of Joy trickled down hel
cheeks.
Hugh must be very impatient. II
send him in," and Bob rushed from thu
room.
A moment later Hugh entered, ant
embracing Fay, said softly:
Fay, my w darling, I've com
back to build a paradise for you ant