The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-10-17
THE HOME GUARD
BY ELLEN l.. KENNEDY.

suburban car and splashed through the
icy slush and mud toward home. 1t
had been a hard day and he was tired.
His shoulders sagged a trif1e and his
limp was more perceptible than usual.
But more depressing than any mere
physical WEAKNESS was the dull heav-
mess that oppressed his spirits. He
had felt II ever since his soldier broth
er's return from France.
AS he turned in at the gate of the
little cottage the bright light from the
living room windows streamed out
across the path and he stopped in the
shade Of the syringa bush TO look In
OF the familiar, comfortable old
Several people were sitting there. He
could see Aunt Caroline, dignified and
elegant in her best black silk Uncle
Charles, portly and smiling; Cousin
Gertrude in her stylish prettinesS,
twelve-year-old Tom, in his boyish face
looking serious and intent; over in
the corner his mother with an immac-
ulate white apron YER her afternoon
gown. And every pair Of eyes was
bent in admiration upon the tall, sol
dierly figure that stood by the piano,
his lieutenant brother, irreproachable
in every detail, from the top OF his
smoothly brushed head to the square
tips of his tan shoes. As he bent for
ward to arrange the music the light
flashed on the medal that adorned his
breast. Hugh could see the face OF
the girl who sat at the piano, but the
light glinted softly on the brown coils
Of her hair.
"Hero-worshiping," muttered the SOL
itary figure by the syringa bush.
With an exclamation Of impotence
Hugh moved on but still that stirring
voice pursued him. Quietly he let him
self in at the side door and tip-toed
softly about the dimly lit kitchen. He
had no desire to attract the attention
of the jolly group in the living room.
He can trail around In the moon
light with the nightingales." ran his
thoughts; ut seems to be up to me to
Keep Tie HOUue hItS Duhnihss wv III
the woodshed he filled his arms with
firewood and turned once more kitch-
onward, but paused at the sound Of
voices in the room.
Now, Molly, child, you run right
back and help entertain all those peo-
pie. l can manage alone" said his
mothers voice.
But l would so much rather help
here" was the reply in the girlish
voice the listener loved.
Let me tell you n thing, Molly"
The elder woman's tone was low and
impressive. 1.-THE heroes Of this war
did not all get over to France. Some
Of the bravest of them never even saw
a training camp or wore the khaki. Oh.
I'm not belittling what Dick did. I
know he was a good soldier, and I an
proud of him. 1t was always easy for
Dick to do spectacular things. But If
he could have been accepted Hugh
would have made just as good a sol
der, while Dicks courage Is not the
kind that would have kept him cheer
full and faithful with only one old
woman for a witness"
Don't you suppose I have seen,
too?" Molly replied. Don't you think
I know that Hugh has worn his old
overcoat all winter because TIE price
of a new one went to the Liberty loan?
And the patches on it are just as much
q badge Of honor as a medal. And he
has not only given his money but his
time and strength to every worthy
movement"
The eavesdropper thrilled at the
trembling earnestness Of the girls
voice; and now, as they slightly
changed their positions. he saw his
mother take the girl by the shoulders
and look keenly into her flushed face.
Child" she said, II have thought
Hugh's lameness was his only inf1rm-
ity. Now ! believe he Is hopelessly
blind"
The color famed higher in the girls
cheeks,
''You must not be the one to open
his eyes," she replied.
HE must see for himself, or ] must
remain a spinster schoolma'am the
rest Of my days"
Hugh dropped his armful Of wood
with a crash and then deliberately be-
gan picking 1t up again.
"Who Is that?" demanded q startled
voice, and In the doorway appeared
his mother, with Molly's bright face
peering over her shoulder. .
"Only the home guard, mother.
Don't be frightened"
And all through the evening that
followed those anne eyes beamed be
hind their spectacles with a grinning
satisfaction, for Hugh. generally SO
quiet, was the life Of the little party.
His rich baritone Joined with Dicks
tenor, Molly's eoptralto and Cousin
Gertrpde's soprano. in all the popular
war songs. He discussed the league
Of nations with Uncle Charles In a way
that made that worthy mans broad
face beam with approval. He was aui.