Mountain advocate., 1919-06-06
Reconstruction
Romance
By DORA n. NOLAN
copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)

Just three months from the day Of
which the armistice was signed
mammoth ship, largest of all things ii
the world, steamed into the harbor o
the metropolis of the Western hemi
sphere. Every person on the west sid,
OF that city was made aware of Its ap
proach, for giant siren cleared IT.
throat and let forth n long-drawn-ou
below, which died down to n gurgle
rose and fell again and again.
The siren, located on the roof of 9
skyscraping building, was fulfilling 9
mission quite different from that fol-
which 1t had been designed. 1t hat
been Installed to give warning of enc
mics In the air should they come. Ger
man air raids? Who remembered, now
that they had ever been feared?
One Of thousands who had helped to
make of that fear thing to be
laughed at, and who was now leaning
over the rails of the Leviathan re-
ceiving the tumultuous welcome of flag
and steam whistle extended by the
city, was Sergt. Charles Brenden,
typical Of all, for though slight of
build and of medium height, he was
well set up, with clear blue eyes and
possessed of that confident air which
belongs to man who has proved him.
SELF equal to any emergency.
1t might be hours before they
docked. The huge craft was surround
ed by tiny, putting tugs, pulling, push
Ing and coaxing, like ants as they
force an object far larger than them
selves to do their will. But they were
Monochrome And the welcome was
all they had dreamed. Eagerly their
eyes searched the shores for well-re-
membered landmarks; gayly they
scrambled for the papers, cigarettes
and candy thrown on board from the
small craft bearing the mayors COM
mittee of welcome.
Charles thoughts ran on ahead. OF
course, after today, things would quiet
down. They would entrain for camp
for rehabilitation. Then TO the city
that wonderful city whose Jagged sky
line he recognized in almost every de-
tail. And right away after that his
job in the city office of an Out-of-tOwn
silk mandatory.
On Saturday morning Brenden was
out, and that afternoon he
arrived In town along with many of
his comrades. The hurry and hustle,
Jangle and clatter of the traffic was
music to his ears.
The avenue was decorated in his
thelr-honor. The scene thrilled al
their ship entered the harbor. Charles
crossed to Sixth avenue and took the
L-nO underground route for him to-
day. To feast his eyes on the life and
movement of his native city appealed
more than greater speed.
Alighting at Slxty-sixth street,
Charles proceeded straight to his old
place. And then the welcome
,egan all over again. for Miss johnson
answered the bell and she was one of
hat rare species, Q kind-hearted lady.
For an elderly splnster her kiss was
lot bad imitation of what mothers
night be. Anyway, II seemed like that
o Charles, who had no recOllections of
he genuine thing.
His room was awaiting him, its last
occupant having been unceremonlously
usted In his behOOf. Everybody re-
DICED at his return. Elderly Mr.. Beclo
With blew him to dinner and a show
hat night. Sunday was spent In look
ne up some friends.
So altogether this war veteran of ,
wenty-three was In happy mood I
fonday morning when he started
own town to see the "boss" about get
ng back on the Job pretty soon and ]
, say "hello" to the Office force. I
II was so early that only old Gruber,
he janitor, was on hand; but he start
the welcome and it grew as the
)rce gathered for the daily grind. e
My two others besides himself had +.
IT the Office for the service and he I.
as the first one back. SO Charles a
new most of the staff and soon met q
lie others. They bombarded him with u
lestiOns and, Of course, We're thanked h
gain for his Christmas box. "
but who sent that dandy warm r.
veater?" Brenden asked. 1.-THE card II
ad, From girl with brown eyes," K
is eyes followed those of two chaps n
no stood nearby to the edge of the "
tile group-and straight into those of Z"
girl. She was good to look upon q
ID Charles looked for long seconds h
fore he fell to the fact that the eyes 7
to which he was so rudely staring OF
ere brown and beautiful. Just then q
e door opened and the group preclpl- a,
tely broke up. The girl was gone, Is
tn the rest, and Charles was left lie
lndlng alone, as the manager en-. h,
red the room. on
Mr.. Huber greeted the returned sol W
or In his usual bluff manner: "What, "a
U back, Brendenr And after shak- cf