The spectator., 1919-08-22
PIES vS. LIES
By NELLIE GORDON.

inSton docks tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. And Jacks on it."
 ''So is Bill" cried May.
 And Joe" added Helen joyfully.
 Everyone had answered except quiet Ruth Bent A comparatively new ar- rival in the city.
 "l notice Ruth hasn't said anything" leased Grace. I'll wager there's some special he on that boat that she's thinking about. Come. 'fess up. bash fitness. isn't thcrc?r
 Poor Ruth's cheeks burned with hu- initiation; if she were only able to say yes but a lump rose in her throat and she couldn't answer
 T know it." triumphed Grace: "she doesn't answer. That's why she has been SO quiet. She's been waiting for him.
 Ruth opened her mouth to protest. but stopped. Why shouldn't she let them go on thinking that there was some one? Perhaps they would treat her With little more respect hereafter.
 Just before closing timr the office manager made the announcement that in view of the general interest shown Tn the docking of the transport the next afternoon would ha half-hoietay so that the girls might go down to the pier
 His words wore greeted with great glee. and they Immediately began mak- Ing plans for the morrow. I'll toll you what, girls began Grace. the leading spirit, well all go down To- gethcr direct from tho office And I was inst thinking that the boys might appreciate something i'll the line of sweets. You know, they don't got much of that in the army. so why wouldn't if he q good idea for each of us TO bring pie"
 The idea was inStar'ly adopted. and the girls separated, promising to bring the most delicious pie possible in the morning
 Poor Ruth, Her harmless white He. If lie it could be called. was assuming alarming proportions What should she do?
 The mighty Mount Washington. bear ing her precious cargo of khaki-elad heroes. was steaming toward the har- bor. The din of changing bells pierc- Ing whistles. and people shouting. all testified to the stupendous welcome which awaited them.
 One lad. standing little apart. leaned over the rail watching the near Ing city sky line. The thrill that he had felt upon hearing the noisy wei come had died away. leaving in it's stead dull ache of loneliness. If only there would be some one there. who would be looking for him alone. I. had been hard to listen to the other chaps whose mothers. sisters and sweethearts were on the pier. waiting to greet them.
 Bob Crandnll was an orphan from far western city. who had enlisted at the beginning of the war. He had no relatives, and what few friends he had were hundreds of miles from here.
 The girls, after a nasty lunch. ar rived at the pier In due time After the docking of the boat. Ruth had somehow become separated from the others in the monster crowd. she leaned against a post wearily, protect ing her precious pie as best she could.
 Suddenly she spicd one chap. stund- ing alone. an unusual fact, as most of the fellows were surrounded by sn,aN feminine army. At sight of his rather weary face. a daring idea popped into her head. She walked over to him and touched his arm.
 Crandall turned quickly, hat in hand. and asked courteousiy: Anything can do for you?"
 An of Ruth's newly acquired courage seemed 10 oozc away from her .Why, you-er. that iS-yuu see. T." sudden ly the girls hove into sight. snd her courage returned and she quickly blurtcd out the whole tale.
 All the wearineSS dropped from Bob'S face. and he laughed heartily "rll be delighted to aet aS your tancer and also t0 eat that deliciouSlnoking plc My name k Roher' Crandall, and as I believe it is customary for people to know each others names will have to ask yours"
 Then the girls joined them and ln- troductionS followed, When they were again alone. Ruth began to voice her gratitude.
 How can I ever thank you?' she said.
 Well. If you feel indebted to me, perhaps you would he willing to show me this wonderful city of yours while I am here. I expect to remain here ahout a week. and then I leave for the West" answered the young man.
 Ruth assented, and then began wonderful week for the two lonely youngsters. Although Ruth had been in the city few months she had seen very little of 1t. and the outings were as wonderful to her as to her compan- lon.