The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-02-20
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
THE HOMECOMING
BY eEoReETTEv. JoYAL.
Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspape
Syndicate-l


at the breakfast table.
Ever since the children had been
small, Mrs. Barke had always address,
ed her husband by the name of dad
dy." The family had not heard from
Carl, the oldest one, for over four
weeks, and the mystery as to his where
abOuts was still unsolved.
Cheer up. Betty!" came the cheerful
response from Mr. Barke. Maybe
he'll surprise US by coming home him
SELF
'How trueI" Mildred exclaimed.
'And won't it be just too good a
treat to see him in his uniform =" At
this she jumped from her chair and
started to fox trot around the room.
81 simply cannot eat another bite!
am going upstairs to study before I
dress for church."
what a dear little girl Mildred is,
daddy. If 1 should lose her I'd be at
a loss what to do now, since Clayton
has gone"
Mr.. Barke remained silent. He was
thinking. Clayton is SO unlike Carl"
Mrs. Barke went on. "He likes sOci-
ETY. and roaming around. Carl is re-
served. I hope he comes to see US be-
fore he goes tacroSs-if he isn't there
now"
'Oh, don't think so! I wouldn't
worry If 1 were you, BessI think Carl
viii come home before night. I really
dor unused Mr. Barke.
''YOu dear! You're so encouraging,
dearI What! Half-past nine! new
er realized it was as late as that Hur-
~ up, dad; Wen be late for church ="
1t was Sunday. The sun shOne bright
Iy and a strong wind was blowing
f1ercely.
Mildred came tripping downstairs.
AREN'T you folks ready yet?" seeing
no one about. Mamma she cried,
SIN going along with Viola and
Diana. They're just coming out of the
academy. All right, mammal" A soft
Eyes, dear" came from upstairs and
Mildred left the house.
Three hours later Mr.. Barke left to
call on the president of the bank of
which he himself was cashier. Mildred
was entertaining one of her few boy
friends whom she had known all her
dred loved the piano and played it
welD came from the parlOr. In the Iiv-
ing room Mrs. Barke sat thinking.
Two years ago at Christmas time her
son Carl had come home from college
for the Christmas recess. How she
had enjoyed him in that short vaca-
ton! He graduated that year and i'm
mediately entered an officers training
school. Carl frequently wrote home.
His letters were very encouraging. He
loved his work and studies. He was
"hOnOrbOund," as he put it, to make
good.
During the last month Mrs. Barke
had received no mail whatever from
her soldier boy. ''Even if L knew
where I was going, mother he wrote,
81 would not be allowed to tell you"
Since then not a word.
Five o'clock was striking by the big
grandfather" clock in the reception
hall. Mildred had just dismissed her
caller and happened to look out of the
window just after closing the door.
Mamma Oh, mamma! Here comes
CARL" she cried. ''Now replied the
yesI Truly mammal Here's Carl !"
Mrs. Barke hurried to the parlor win
dow and, true enough, there was her
big Carl coming up the walk.
Without even pausing to throw
wrap over the thin georgette crepe
waist which she wore, Mrs. Barke ran
out of the house. While the wind
played havoc with her carefully ar
ranged hair, she threw her arms about
her boys shoulders and kissed him
time and again.
Realizing the cold his mother endan-
gered out in the wind, he gently led her
into the house. All this time Mildred
had been so moved by the beautiful
picture her mother and brother made
she couldn't leave the window. When
they entered the hall Mildred chung to
her brother fully a minute before she
could utter a word
In the meantime Mrs. Barke tele-
phCned her husband. Daddy" she
said, 'Carrs home! Yes!-Y& -
Yes! About two minutes agol Pad
die quick !''
As the mother returned, Carl, with
his arms ABOUT his young sister, was
saying, very modestly, ST received my
commission as lieutenant a week ago.
I have been In Kansas all these weeks
and so couldn't write to you. 1 spent
two days in Washington On my way
home. I tried to get a train out when
I arrived in Boston this morning, but
it has been cancelled
wasn't there. a train in? If you had
but telegraphed, Dad would hare met
you at the station '' cried his mother,
flushed with the excitement. Mother,
dear, wouldn't keep you in suspense
one minute if I could help it. Never
mind, I'm here for five days, anyway
he gently replied, kissing her
'Th1s is the very best treat 1 have
had in many years and I'm going to
make the best of it, tool You won't
leave my side much while you are here.
Carl, will you, dear?'' ''Not at all
mother; not at a1l!''
Short. quick footsteps sounded on the