The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1919-08-22

Copyright. 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndtcate.)
The little gray frame house stood be
hind a row Of naples on what people
in Bethel called the "Old Wood road"
Laura Coles had lived in it alone since
her fathers death. In the summer
pasSersby saw her out at the old well
sweep, or bending over her flower gar
den. In the winter she was q welcome
aid at the village social centers, pretty,
cheerful, tactful, a born organizer.
When the first spring came after the
war, Bethel, as usual, felt a tremor Of
anxiety because it had no soldiers rest
ing places to decorate. -Four miles
away was Sanders Point, close to the
shore. and here they held services in
The little white meeting house, and
trailed spring flowers down to the old
burial lot to mingle with flags above
the mounds there Of old G.. A. Il. for
mer residents.
1T always seems sort Of pitiful,'
Miss Atkins said, folding up her apron
the Thursday before, at the close Of
the sewing circles session in her home.
sort Of pitlful that Bethel has to trot
over every year and celebrate at the
Point. Where in tunket were all our
boys anyhow when the call come in
81? 1t always rifles me when see
The date ahead Of me, and know I've
got 10 listen to them folks tell of their
heroes. and we haven't got so much as
a tattered flag here"
Laura heard from the wall closet.
where she was putting away half-ffn-.
ished comforters. The apple trees
were in blossom outside the open win
dow and a riotous bluebird swayed
p%erilously near to give her a friendly
! hail, but she scarcely heard 1t.
How could they all think Of sixty
years ago and the little petty rivalrles
when the great world war was Just
! arms length away and they were
! bringing Walt home that very day!
! She had passed Elsie driving to the
! station after him; little Elsie, barely
d fourteen, with the full burden Of the
y motherless family on her shoulders
n and a shiftless father to depend upon.
! Going after Walt, Miss Coles" she
had called joyously. Hes coming
home for good now"
= The hot tears stung Laura's eyes as
She drove on. Walt, the one standby
d Of the family They had always beer
: sw~eethearts, ever since the old day
'e Of playing post Office and clap-ln, clap
1t ont. at parties. 1t had been understood
. that. some golden day, when her fathe
9 was willing to let her go, and Walt ha'
= persuaded his father to take hold an
~ work TO relieve him, they might b
n married.
or Then he had been with the first o
at the hoys to volunteer. and only his LEI
ters from OverseaS had bridged tn
time between. She knew when he wa
III wounded. and OF the long months !
!. the hospital after the close Of the wa
hut NJ letter had come to her sine
he he had gone into the last action. Onl
tv when Elsie sent her his letters TO rea
over did she know whit was happel
*. Ing. and She was too proud 20 ask VII
ID. he did not write to her now. Perhap
vhe thought. 1t was another romano
thnt had followed in France. 81
ed could hardly blame him. The time hs
he been long.
ty, But now he would cOme home, al
OF there was no celebration for him,
nd committee OF welcome at the barren !
W. tie station, no flag wayings, nothil
hut Esie driving down In the old rel
shackle wagon behind Major, the BIZ
the stow standby.
!. l Think you car give a couple
cakes this year. Laurar' asked
minister's wife and suddenly the wOr
% seemed to fire Laura's tongue wi
the courage. She turned around and fac
err the sewing circle. Breathlessly $
of talked, urging. pleading, trying to op
ay- their eyes and make them see I
py new. splendid duty that lay at tn
~ door, until finally. when she ceas
no Miss Atkins wiped her eyes with
r;o- ouick little pat and rose to prop'
lie, they all Join in and help decorate
SOU living.
2 a Decoration day was clear and sun
and Walt came In from the barn with
ourt OF the twins riding his shoulder
w kissed Elsie as she slipped by h
w His father sat by the kitchen wind
and porting over a tiWetable. 1t had b
de- Waits Idea. sendlng him out to Q
said 10 visit hts brother 10 get a new 81
de- on lite"
scial "Dad's been fled here for In
vile years. he had laughed. II may h
ipol i game leg, but. by jimminy. ! Il
anu I know how TO make the farm pay.
dav going to send Elsie back to sch
where she belongs, and the twins
arif. visit grandmother In the sum-
ntiff. Wen put new spirit Into things arc
here"
E. He had not told them what was
let don In his heart. the hope Of put
state them nh on q safe footing. and
wetS marrying. But when he darei eve
Is think OF all Laura had meant to
NV the limp reminded him that he hat
the right to hold her 70 her promi'
4 a. she. the l~lvellest twin. happene