The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-10-10
MARY'S SOLDIER
BY MARGUERITE I. BLUE.

ON the last, most graceful curve Of
the road leading from the town, on
slightly raised ground, stood with
quiet superiority, a long, low comfort
ably modern bungalow.
Behind the guardians, Mrs. Marden,
mistress of the house and mother Of
four healthy grown children, sat In a
low wicker rocker, knitting. Not quite
forty, plump, and with a sense of hui
NOR, Mrs. Marden surveyed life from
n safe and sane altitude. Now as she
sat, her face suddenly lighted and she
smiled as she rose In greeting to her
partner, who vas equally plump, a lit
tie over forty, and with the same
sense of humor.
Supper ready, mother7" he asked,
with that intimacy which needs no &C.
acknowledgement of meeting.
"YeS, we'll sit right down. Come,
Mary and Dot" she called to her first
and last born. "Come, boys" this last
TO two boys just turned into serious
young manhood, recognized by care
fully tied neckties and perfectly
creased trousers. Supper is ready"
How could they know, quietly eating
their evening meal, that the great god
Mars had sent his dark cloud to hang
over America. That Clotho, the distaff
holder, had snarled her golden threads
and only by breaking them could
her sister go on spinning.
Mother, mother, someone's coming
up the drive!" cried Dot, simultane-
Ously pushing back her chair, the rest
father. How do you do, Burt?
You're just in time. We were just
having supper"
"Oh, no." protested Burt; don't put
yourselves out for me-"
mo fear Of that" laughed Mrs Mar
den. Hastily another place was set,
and the joviatity increased.
I'm sorry folks, but I've something
to tell you people. You know my com
ing up here tonight is rather unexpect-
ed. But you see, it's this way. I've
I've" he looked at Mary who was
waiting breathlessly, her fork poised
In the air. I've enlisted and I've got
to leave tomorrow al four"
Mary lowered her fork to her plate.
What was this he said? Could 1t be
true? He going. Actually going. Her
Burt. Mr.. Marden and the boys flood
ed him with questions. Would they
never stop? And finally, when the sup
per was over, they carried him off to
the cool piazza to ask more.
Mary wandered through the house
aimlessly, looking first through a win
dow at some distant scenery, then at
her flowers, which she loved and al
ways tried to keep in the house. Al
ways through her mind the phrases
repeated themselves. "Can it be pos
sible? He is really going" Finally
she seated herself at the piano and
played. She played well, but it made
her feel infinitely lonely.
1t was there that he found her. He
came in quietly and stood beside her.
1t seemed as If there was nothing to
be said.
MARY, it is very late. You will wait
till 1 come back, Mary? You must
wait"
"Yes," she replied, II shall always
wait" He kissed her very gently.
sMary Marden walked slowly home
from the Red Cross club, knitting as
she walked. She had been rolling
bandages most Of the day and now she
was tired. The outlook on life had
changed very much for her.
MARY, Mary, a telegram !" shouted
Dot, racing toward her.
"a telegram" repeated Mary weak
ly. "Where?"
"Bill's got It," said Dot, as If she
had impaired some important informa-
ton.
"Blllle, do hurry" from Mary. But
Billie, with exasperating slowness.
handed her all the rest Of the mail be-
fore he got to the telegram.
Mary tore off one end Of the enve-
lope, not needing In her haste how
she got it off. Her hands trembled
so that she could hardly unfold it.
"Why, why" she exclaimed. Hes
In this country and L. never knew.
He'll probably be up here In a couple
of weeks. Come quick. Let's tell
mother and father"
She was tired no longer. The birds
san sweeter, the sky looked bluer,
the sun shone brighter as she hurried
toward the house.
The two weeks passed very quickly,
but 1t was nearer four weeks, late
afternoon, while Mrs. Marden was
bustling about setting the table with
thin china and sparkling glass for sup
per, that Mr.. Marden came up the
drive with a tall, young soldier in
overseas uniform. The aroma Of new
ly made biscuits filled the house. Dot
was interpreting the latest music by a
one-iinger method. and Mary, envel-
oped in a huge apron, was cutting
cake. Suddenly she turned and there
he stood laughing al her. For just a
-. - .to<lal b,nt m nnon-l