Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-09

DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE HAND.ME-DOWN-
By MARY LOUISE BUZzELL
TyHE city was pulsating with eager
i ness to welcome the boys from over
seas scheduled to arrive on the transport
due that day. Hester Harwood never
had Joined those thronging the piers
almost daily to wait for some loved
ones coming-for John Linwood, the
man she loved, had failed to give any
sign that he returned her love. He had
sought her society so much that she be
lieved he cared for her-but, neverthe
less, he had enlisted and sailed for the
other side without a word.
But today, being her Saturday half
holiday from her work, she decided to
20 down to the pier. She wanted to
get away from her loneliness-and the
walk would at least give her fresh air
and keep her from thinking.
SO she made her simple toilet and
reached for her coat, frowning a littl,
as she realized how thin It was, and
how inadequate to protect her from the
cutting wind sweeping through the
streets. But 1t was all she had-why
no-there was the coat Cousin Anns
had sent her, but which she had never
worn, having a girlish prejudice against
wearing the cast t-off .''fnery" Of hel
rich cousin-the girl who had always
had so much, while she had scrimped al
her life.
"A cheap serge gown and an expen
sive fur trimmed coat !" she fretted be
fore the mirror. How hate such com
binations--and how I hate hand me
downs! II It wasn't for mother Sh,
choked at the thought of her littl
mother, patiently waiting on the Yer
mont farm till their combined earning
enabled them to take life easier.
But once In the street, the cheerin,
and insistent ringing Of bells made hel
forget her poverty, and she found her
self smiling with the jubilant crowd
Standing at the curb woman dropped
some of the red carnations she held
but before Hester could attract her at
tention to her loss, a big limousin
whirled her away.
Reaching the waterside, she found tn
transport already at the pier. Khaki
clad figures clung to every vantag
point, every port hole framing a head
At first she could distinguish nothin
but a blur of faces and waving hands
Then one face stood out clearly, an
John Linwood was looking at her, hi
brown eyes alight with love! She ha
thought him already home, having seel
John Linwood" listed among forme
arrivals-and here he was, his stead
fast glance openly expressing the lcv
he had never voiced. Suddenly he be
gan to scribble on a scrap of paper
which willing hands passed along til
it rested in her outstretched palm, an
she read: my darling, thank you 70
doing what I asked Of you. Will sc
JOHN"
What could he mean? Why, he ha
not written since going away! But wha
mattered it? 1t was enough that b
loved her-the rest could wait.
With the smile she gave him sh
threw a kiss, then abashed at her ow
boldness, turned and fed home. A lette
tucked under her door bore her nam
in the handwriting Of her cousin AIMS
my dear Hester it ran, "hoy
can you ever forgive me for what
have done! Motoring through Hills
dale, I met John Linwood at you
mothers house. Ordered overseas onl
that day, he had no time to see you
so gave me a letter for you, as in
tended paying you a call on my wa
home. But before reaching your city
I was intercepted by a telegram tellin
Of the death of my dear mother, s
went straight through to New Yorl
And the letter intrusted to my car
entirely slipped my mind until recently
Be kind and write me your forgiveness
, for losing your letter-for Hester,
cannot find it though have searche
! the house over and over. God gran
; that John Linwood comes safely bac
to you, for I want you to have tn
| happiness you deserved
your loving cousin,
ANNA"
And this was the girl she had thougl,
, purse proud and patronizing. Repent
ant tears filled her eyes, and as sh
=. tossed the hand me down coat owe
a chair, a paper fell from one Of tn
l pockets. 1t was the missing letter
And reading 1t she knew what her love
, meant In his note, for in this letter. h
|, told of his love for her. But when sh
saw the - Regiment listed to return
Z he wanted her to be at the pier; an
IL she loved him-to wear red carna
, tions; for even If too shattered i
health to impose the burden of a sic
man upon her, Just the knowledge {
) her love would help him to bear an
5 misfortune. v
: And when John came, she said: "
love you, dear-but should have love
? you Just the same had you come bac
' crippled for life. And I shall neve
' cease to bless the hand me down cos
that brought me your letter; nor th
hand me down carnations that told 70
loved you."