South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-14
Today'S Short
Story
HE LEFT 1T FOR MARC ARET TO
DECIDE

my AN4N1h L IL SOaAA ~ &c A.
there"
Huh, After twas 81 settled that
Olga was TO be Queen O. May. II
YOU was a boy I'd lick We We red
headed, frecRled- faced"
Here, however. the speaker was in
terrupted, and Margaret Hunt. who
had paused at the head Of the alley.
came nearer, and within sight OF
group of children. Jane Lillian was
use OF two skinny but determined lit
tie fists which quite did away with
Tommy's sense OF chivalry.
Why Tommy, Jane Lilian'" Mar
garet exclaimed, What does this
mean? ,"
An brupt cessation OF hostilties
but the girl was the first 10 regain
her self possession. "Oh. teacher, he
called me names" she shrilled out,
and I won't stand for it,"
Were goin' 10 have May
Queen" someone else informed her.
Olga was goin' 10 be II, then Jane
Lillian said she was"
Mild-faced little Olga gave in.
peace was eventually restored, and
the May carnival proceeded
Like some OF her illustrious pre-
decessors who had fought the way
to a throne. she found il when
reached but a precarious seat. 1t
swayed and then crashed 10 the
ground where the Queen lay a
crumpled little heap, and somebody
shrieked out, She's kilt Jane
Lilian's kilt"
AS fortune willed. Margaret was
just returning from her errand and
hearing an cutlery, turned into the
alley once more. Taking In the sit
uatiOn the young teacher went
quickly to the fallen throne and bent
over its momentary Queen, taking
her limp hand. Jane, Jane, Lillian, .
she called. No response. Get me
some water, please"
She turned 10 Tommy with the re-
quest, and presently as she worked
over her. the girl opened her eyes,
but trying 10 stand sank down with
sharp cry of pain. Margaret found
that the child's mother was away al
work, and convinced that profession
al aid was needed, took matters into
her own hands, and sent for an am
bulance.
Am goin' to a 'orsepital?' "
gasped the girl
For little while"
Go with me. teacher. don't leave
me-" she entreeted. Yes. Jane, I'll
go with you" was the response. and
half hour later found them at the
City hospital.
A physician appeared. glanced in
! to the young teachers face. and ex-
claimed, Margaret You here"
Margaret's face paled Abr
Stanwood," she faltersd.
For moment they stood looking
into each others eyes Margaret was
the first 10 speak. II thought you
were in France"
I was, until two months ago"
A nurse appeared, and the atten-
ton of all three was given to Jane
Lillian. Her leg was broken, and as
her last conscious request was that
teacher should stay with her Mar
garet remained near, and it was not
until the girl had been placed in her
white bed in the children's ward that
DR.. Stanwooj and the young teacher
/ found time for conversation on any
other subject Yes. / expect TO re.
main in the city now" he said in
reply to some inquiry from her.
And your wife ?"
He turned looking quizzically int
her face II have no wife he sale
then.
But ] thought heard"
You should have known bette
than that. Margaret
Just then a call came for the doc
tor. and he was gone. Margare
| looked after MIN. Strange indeed
that they should meet again like this
| He was the same. yet not the same
Could it be? But. no. 1t was alb
surd TO think that his going out o
her life had meant to him what (
had TO her.
Meantime Jane Lillian was pro
crossing with all reasonable speed
and with few exceptions, evolved
disposition bordering on the angelo
as she lay in her cot, her red hal
neatly braided, her blhe eyes. bi,
and observant. and a skin Of almOs
transparent Wilderness with the fad
ing spatter of freckles across the pul
that was her nose.
AS for Margaret, even when vaca
ton ended and her duties increased
she found time 20 visit the child VIII,
could not see her too often. Jan
Lillian had taken a great fancy Z
DR.. Stanwood also. and as he cam
one day bringing a bit OF ice cream
regarded by her as the acme Of lux
ury. her esteem for him was bound
less.
Amt he great" she exclaimed
looking up at Margaret. I like yor
awful we'll" she complimented. re
garding the man affectionately. be
tween blissful spoonfuls Say. doc
tor. you and teacher are both so mic
you'd make great couple. VIII
you get married? Won't you?"
Alan Stanwood looked ouickI
across at Margaret, whose heighten
ed color spoke for her, as in 10,
voice he returned.
That s for her TO say"