The Yale expositor., 1919-08-21
HE CAME BACK
BY MARY w. FORD


erts from the other side Of the Office,
where she was sitting at her desk, a
letter tightly clutched in a small palm.
"Sorry Mary, dear, but you'll have
10 save what you want to tell me till
noon. have book filled with notes
that have to transcribe yet"
swell, I'm coming over, Connie.
simply must tell someone. It's too
good to keep all to myself, and 1 feel
so happy"
Constance Grey was the stenogra-
pher for Cummings & Cummings, while
Mary Roberts was clerk. Both girls
had attended business college togeth-
er. and developed a steadfast friend
ship while there. BY chance they
were both assigned to work In the
same office.
Now, Mary, If It's truly going to
to have you tell me the wonderful
news, but please make 1t brief"
Honestly, Conn. really think you're
grouchy this morning, and it does not
become you one bit" said little Mary
mischievously. "YOu do look so
charming when you smile Conn, dear"
OF course this brought the smiles to
Comics face, and Mary was pleased
TO note that much at least. In fact
Conn had been rather gloomy lately,
and Mary knew something was troub-
ling her chum.
He's coming on the Mongolia,
Conn.," whispered Mary In Comics
ear.
"Oh, Mary, I'm so glad for your sake.
After waiting nearly two years so pa
tiently is it any wonder you are so
happy with such news" But at the
same time wistful look crept into
Comics pretty blue eyes, and her
thoughts seemed to be far away. Mary
noticed this and must have guessed
the truth.
"Connie-when Is Jack coming?
Have you heard any word YETI"
Connie shook her head sadly. mot a
word, Mary, for six long months" and
tear trickled down one side OF her
cheek. Mary quietly slipped back to
her own desk, her eyes filed with
| tears also.
bud is coming home, and I'm so
happy, but poor Connie, her heart Is
broken" she thought sadly. 81 wonder
why he doesn't answer her letters"
she added mentally.
Connie was working steadily at her
typewriter, and Mary, tucking her let
ter away lovingly In her skirt pocket,
also started working, but alas Mary's
thoughts were elsewhere than on her
work, and try as she would, she could
think of nothing but that wonderful
ship that was bringing Bud Marden
home to her after two long years Of
patient waiting.
Connie went home that evening sad
at heart, and she, too, pictured that
wonderful ship coming In with dear
little Mary's Buddy, but where was
Jack-why oh. why didn't he writer
they had planned they would have up
on his return? All those happy dreams
were dreams of bygone days now, and
when she would pass khaki clad boy
and his sweetheart, arm In arm, laugh
Ing happily, that same wistful express
sion would creep into her eyes.
The following day Mary was alb
sent from the Office. She had gone
down to meet the Mongolia. Connie
shut her desk up at closing time and
left the building, but just as she was
about to turn the corner. two large
hands were placed over her eyes, and
a familiar voice was saying, kiss me,
Conn, and I'll take my hands away,
but not before" Jack had already
kissed her before she could protest,
and, opening her eyes, she gazed into
two big brown eyes that belonged only
to Jack Foster. Then followed expla-
nations Of why he failed to write. He
had been wounded and knocked about
from one hospital to another and I'M
able to write. Arm In arm they walk.
ed home like two happy children, and
as they were turning the next corner.
whom did they meet but Mary and
Bud.
"Oh, Conn. it's wonderful to think
Jack came on that boat after all. BUD
told me all about the surprise that
was planned for you. and was over
joyed," cried Mary happily.
"Mary, dear" said Connie smiling
~. this is the happlest day Of my
life"
"Say, Jack" cried Bud Marden sud-
denly, "what do you suppose the firm
will have to say to these young ladies'
when they both tender their reslgna-
lions together?"
"Well," laughed Jack. ''the only way
we can fix matters up is to invite
them to our wedding"
Evil In ldleness.
When a man has all OF this worlds