The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1919-06-06
Reconstruction
Romance
II
By o H. NOLAN
Copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper syndicate.)

Just three months from the day on
which the armiStice was signed a
mammoth ship, largest Of all things in
the world. steamed into the harbor OF
the metropolis Of the Western hemf-
sphere. Every person on the west side
of that city was made aware Of its APP
preach. for a giant siren cleared its
throat and let forth a long-drawn-out
below. which died down 10 a gurgle,
rose and fell again and again.
The siren, located on the roof OF a
skyscraping building, was fulfilling u
mission quite different from that for
which 1t had been designed. 1t had
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 feHr a thing to be
laughed at. and who was now leaning
over the rails of the Leyiathan 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 a man who has proved him
self equal 10 any emergency.
1t might be hours before they
locked. The huge craft was surround
ed by tiny, putting tugs, pulling, push
ing and cooking, like ants as they
force an object far larger than them
selves to do their will. But they were
home-hOmel And the welcome was
all they had dreamed. Eagerly their
eyes searched the shores for well-re-
meInbered landmarks; gayly they
scrambled for the papers, cigarettes
and candy thrown IN 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 entraln for IA camp
for disqualification. 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
mustered 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
their-honor. The scene thrilled al
most as much as on the day when
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 a greater speed.
Alighting at Sixty-slxth street.
Charles proceeded straight to his old
boarding place. And then the welcome
began all over again, for Miss Johnson
answered the bell and she was one Of
that rare species, a kind-hearted lady.
For an elderly splnster her kiss was
not a bad imitation of what a mothers
might be. Anyway, II seemed like that
10 Charles, who had no recollections of
the genuine thing.
His room was awaiting him. It's last
occupant having been unceremoniously
ousted in his behoof, Everybody re-
joiced at his return. Elderly Mr.. Becla
with blew him to dinner and Il show
that night. Sunday was spent in look
ing up some friends.
So altogether this wal veteran OF
twenty-three was In a happy mood
Monday morning when he started
down town to see the boss" about get
ting back on the job pretty soon anC
to say hello" to the office force.
1t was so early that only old Gruber
the %janitor, was on hand but he start
ed the welcome and It grew as tn,
force gathered for the daily grind
Only two others besides himself ha,
left the Office for the service and n,
was the first one back. So Charlie.
knew most Of the statf and soon me
the others. They %bombarded him witt
questions and, Of course, were thanke,
ngain for his Christmas box.
but who sent that dandy warn
sweater?" Brenden asked. ''The car,
read, From Il girl with brown eyes.
His eyes followed those Of two chap
who stood nearby to the edge Of tn
little %group-and straight into those o
u girl. She was good to look upon
and Charles looked for long second
before he fell to The fact that the eye
into which he was so rudely starin
we're brown aud beautiful. lust the.
the door opened and the group precip.
lately broke up. The girl was gon,
with the rest, and Charles was lef
standing alone, as the manager en-
tered the room.
Mr.. Huber greeted the returned SO.
dier in his usual hlufr manner "What
you back, Brenden?' And after shab
Ing hands added: "C0me into my OF
flee In five minutes"
Promptly the hoy stood before tn
familiar desk and the boss looked M
We'll. Brenden, what can ! do 70
-. gft rI,b.r tnnpfr.d .et., ..It.