Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-07-31
Entered at the Postoifice at Missouri
Valley, Iowa, as second class matter.
JUST PALS
BY BESSIE sLAv,r.

LOT france.
1t had been boy and girl friend
ship. Both popular. Bob and Fay were
constantly together during their Sc
nior year in high school. Everywhere,
at baseball, at dances. at school enter
tainments, Bob was her faithful escort.
AS he possessed admirable qualities.
he was Il very congenial companions;
most particularly. because he always
strove to please Fay.
But that was four years ago. when
Fay was only eighteen. She had chang
ed considerably since then. and the
chief factor in her change was her &C.
quaintance with Hugh Wrentham.
How well she remembered meeting
him at dance two years ago.
Hugh was older than Bob and had
Travelled a great DEAL 1t was interest
ing to hear Il recital Of his travels; she
could listen forever for the sheer en-
joynent of hearing his voice. What
delightful spring and summer they
spent together!
Then the parting! Alas 1t was the
only sad experience in her young life
i, that parting from Hugh.
I Fay had never written to Bob about
Hugh-Bob who admired her 80 much
and was so proud OF his little pal"
as he called her.
Now, Bob was coming home--he
might call at the house this very after
I, noon! How could she tell him! How
In h,,r Gf hn
easily wounded in his deep regard for
her.
She perceived two men in uniform
coming mt a quick pace towards the
house. She arose from the big arm
chair III which she had been nervous
ly Knitting, walked to the window and
peered out. Yes; 1t was Bob. grown
broader, perhaps. hut with the same
peculiar gait. But the other? Could
1t be he. that other who looked so
much like Hugh? He hadn't written
that he expected to arrive. Did he
mean to surprise her? She watched
intently until they came nearer, when
she saw that 1t was indeed Hugh-and
she uttered sharp cry. Her heart
bounded with Joy, her whole body
quivered as she recognized him.
Good heavens! Why was ne coming
with Bob? Wild fancies fitted through
her mind and she felt as IL cyclone
was carrying her of her feet and
whirling her round and round.
Bob was the first to greet her. cry
ing cheerily:
"Well, Fay, old girl, won't you well
come fellow back from the jaws Of
death?"
"Bob.-Hugh !-what-how-" but
unable to say more. she collapsed at
their feet.
''Fay, why don't you say something's
Bob asked soothlngly. "Is anything
wrong?'
Fay could only glance at Hugh APP
pealingly. for she could not speak. Al
though her face betrayed her secret.
Bob had already OWNED the cause Of
her agitation. He motioned to Hugh
to leave the room. then, drawing q
chair to Fay's side:
Fay. dear little chum, please don't
feel distressed. l already know the
truth" Fay cast furtive glance at
his face-half surprised. half fright
ened. you see," he continued. II met
Hugh on board ship coming home. We
became inseparables and pledged an
everlasting friendship. Hugh, know
ing nothing of our old friendship.
spoke of Your mutual love. then told
him that we were school friends and
he was delighted to talk to someone
who knew you. When we arrived ne
insisted upon my coming with him. de-
spite my remonstrances. Everything
is just as 1t should be. Fay, and l
shall be delighted to see you both hap
py together"
Fay seemed to gain new strength.
The color mounted to her cheeks and
her eyes gistened. Rising from the
chair, she held out her hands to him.
Bob, / thought you-you-'
Bob laughed-a joyful. relieved
laugh 1t was-and replied:
Fay, dear. four years ago, when
we We're both too young to Judge wise
~, we made a premature decision. Az
for me, I shall always esteem you i'm
mensely and shall never forget the de-
lightful times spent with you, little pal,
but"-here he blushed and paused
awkwardly; then, while happy ex-
preston spread over his countenance,
he boyishly cried: Fay, here is a
picture Of the sweetest little girl in
the world to me. girl whom l met
in Paris" and he opened his watch
case, which disclosed to Fay the love-
ly face of n girl about twenty years
Of a. e. Now that everything is hap
PLY adjusted between you and me I
shall sail to France within month
and claim the most wonderful Ameri-
can girl who braved the dangers Of
war and brought me back to life.''
"Oh, Bob, I'm so glady' was all she
said, as tears of Joy trickled down her
cheeks.
'Hugh must be very impatient. I'll
send him in," and Bob rushed from the
room.
A moment later Hugh entered, and
embracing Fay, said softly:
"Fay, my own darling. I've come
back to build paradise for you and
me, my little queen"
Three weeks later Mr.. and Mrs.
Hugh Wrentham bid Bob farewell on
board the boat which was to carry him
to his happiness in France.
Copyright 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper syndicats.)