The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-07-12
JUST PALS
BY BESSIE SLAVIT.

for France.
1t had been a 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 a very cOngenial companion;
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 ac-
quaintance with Hugh Wrentham
How well she remembered meeting
him at a dance two years ago.
Hugh was older than Bob and had
Travelled a great deal. It was interest
ing to hear recital of his travels; she
could listen forever for the sheer en-
tOyment of hearing his voice. What
a delightful spring and summer they
spent together!
Then the parting! Alas 1t was the
only sad experience In her young life
that parting from Hugh.
Fay had never written to Bob about
Hugh-Bob, who admired her so 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
noon How could she tell him! How
could she hurt him, he who was so
easily wounded in his deep regard for
her.
She perceived two men in uniform
coming at a quick pace towards the
house. She arose from the big arm
chair in which she had been nervous
ly knitting walked to the window and
peered out. Yes; 1t was Bob, grown
broader, perhaps, but 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 herr She watched
intently until they came nearer, when
she saw that it was indeed Highland
she uttered a sharp cry. Her heart
bounded with Joy, her whole body
Quivered as she recognized him.
Good heavensl Why was he coming
with Bob? Wild fanOtes fitted through
her mind and she felt as If cyclone
was carrying her off 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 a fellow back from the jaws of
death?"
bob Hugh I-what-hOw-" but
unable to say more, she collapsed at
their feet.
Fay why don't you say somethlngY
Bob asked sOothingly. "Is anything
wrOng?"
Fay could only glance at Hugh ap-
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 a
chair to Fay's side:
Fay, dear little chum, please don't
feel distressed I already know the
truth" Fay cast n furtive glance at
his face-half surprised, half fright
ened. "You see" he continued, "I met
Hugh OF 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. I then told
him that we were school friends and
he was delighted TO talk to someone
who knew you. When we arrived he
insisted upon my coming with him, de
spite my romOnstrances. Everything
is just as it should be, Fay, and l
shall be delighted to see you both hap
by together
Fay seemed to gain new strength.
The color mounted to her cheeks and
her eyes gIistoned. Rising from the
chair. she held out her hands to him.
Bob. I thought you-you-"
Bob Iaughed-a joyful, relieved
laugh it was-and replied:
Fay, dear, four years ago, when
we were both too young to judge wise
Iy, we made a premature decision. AS
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 a 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 I met
I'm Paris" and he opened his watch
case, which disclosed to Fay the love
Iy face of a girl about twenty years
of age "NOw that everything is hap
PLY adjusted between you and me
shall sail to France within a 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 glad!' was all she
said, as tears of JOY trickled down heI
cheeks.
"Hugh must be very impatient. II
sand him in" and Bob rushed from the