Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-12-05
HIS RETURN
BY EDITH T. THERRiEh.

All the buildings Of the town we're
gaily decorated with bunting and flags
Open house was TO be kept al the
armory. where the soldiers could find
food, reading matter. tobacco and, best
Of all. the society Of their old friends,
80 long denied them. The girls Of the
town had arranged series Of dances.
card parties and entertainments.
A band stand had been erected In the
public square and the people felt they
were prepared TO welcome fittingly
their returning heroes. A few had al
ready arrived. the remainder were ex-
pected In three days. I'D their vel
come was to be most hearty, with
speeches. music, parades and banquets-
AS Marcia Meade helped in these
preparations. her heart was heavy.
Must she give up her position as pri-
vate secretary to Mr. Merton? II had
belonged to Don Redell. now Lieut.. Re
dell. and Mr. Merton had told her when
she was promoted to the place that
when Don returned he was TO have his
old position. But she had made good,
and she did so enjoy the work.
Couldn't Don find another equally
good position?
She could not get up courage 10 ask
Mr.. Merton 70 keep her. He was in
tensely patriotic and had told each Of
his employees that his place would be
given him when he returned. with no
loss of wages. Now Don had been
gassed and wounded. and although he
wrote home that he had recovered, he
would seem more Of q hero than ever
to Mr.. Merton. He had been the first
man In town to enlist, and Mr.. Merton
had been very proud Of his youthful
secretary. who was now returning with
decorations for bravery.
How could she breach the subject 10
Mr.. Merton: She must be hooking for
another situation. she supposed for her
former one had been filed. Of course.
She wondered if Don would be eager
to get back to his old work. or would
prefer 10 rest al home for while.
Was Mr. Merton waiting for her 10 re-
sign gracefully rather than tell her
that she had only three more days:
These troubled thoughts kept pace
with her hands rs she worked. and she
hated herself that she could not feel
more joy in the homecoming Of the
soldiers.
When the day came, she went with
the rest Of the town 20 view the pa
rade. cheering with the crowd that
was simply wild with pride and en-
thusiaSm. She was quick To- see how
fine Lieutenant Redeli looked with his
erect military carriage. his brown face
and steady eyes. Why. what had the
war done To Don: IIe had gone away
a brilliant. lcvable. funloying boy Ia
had come back a stern-faCed man.
Marcia's heart glowed with IA warmth
it had never felt before She and Don
had been good friends in their school
days but they had drified apart She
had written TO him often. because he .
had begged her To when he enlisted +.
But her letters had been almost Ike .
items-news of the office .
force and town happenings. She +
wished now she had put more of her .
more friendly spirit. into /
them.
She went 10 the armory. where she +,
was 10 be one of the hosteSSes for the
afternoon. She hoped that Don would
come there so that she couN tell him
that his old place in the Office was
waiting for him. She had decided that
as soon as she saw him step from the
rain
She had wearied Of the crowd and
stolen quietly away TO a corner to rest.
" he came 70 her the old boyish smile
frightened the grave face. He held her
land so long. with such a friendly
,rasp. that blush spread over her
.snally pale cheeks.
Marcia. you were a 0reA - write
o me ~ often. You haven't the slight
st idea ~ what letters meant TO US
elbows. Yours were such fine. newsy
mes: always fun Of encouragement.
90: just the kind to cheer a man up"
Il am glad to have done even that
title for you. DON. 1 have been keep
ng your place for YOU with Mr.. Mer-
90. so that NJ other man would have
/ when you returned" she told him in
loSt friendly fashion. without quiv-
r now at the loss Of ner fine salary
nd congenial work.
"Oh you can keep that while long
r. I am planning To run Uncle vii
ANS farm this summer. I'm 30 ac-
uStomed To- outdoor lie now thar an
flee ia warm weather has me- allure
lent for me-
Marcia stihed tiny sigh NJ relief
he would have sacrificed anything for
lis fne soldier bur she could but r.
,ire thar her sacrifice was not neceS-
Try
Marcia. the soldiers voice went on.
Rough in lower tones. ''you keep the
lice for me through the summer. and
fter Uncle Williams crops are all I
prvested l should like to take up Mr.. :
erton's work again" and a roguish
-inL1,a Shenp In his eyes rs he saw