Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-05-09
HIS RIVAL
BY AGNES G. 6ROGAN.


nngS. with scowl OF tliSplenSure. rs
his sweetheart bent over her knitting.
This devotion to gray yarn. in his pres
ence. had become tiresome. Antici-
D"tch happy hours were spoiled by
Cruces abSent-mindel responses to
his personal cOnversation-for Jimmie
was discussing the possibilities Of
their new home.
lie had counted upon his fiancee's
enthusiasm and help. ms they would
plan together the furnishings Of that
home which was long dreamed-of
goal. But during the stress Of war
time Oracle had been distract, indiffer-
ent. What could have caused the
change? Surely. oh. surely. and Jim
mic had caught his breath Mt the
thought. she could NOT have ceased to
care; neither could anyone else have
come between them.
Night after night. and day after
day she had sat Mt his side here In her
mothers comfortable living room. with
no intruder to cause him apprehen-
sion.
shall we have the dining room in
delft blue. dear?" he had asked one
evening.
Minimum" murmured the girl unin-
telligibly. as she was counting stitches.
"Or old rose?" queried Jim:
Gracie's eyes had rested for a mo-
ment upon him blankly. They were
very beautiful eyes. and the lover pa
tiently waited
Presently Oracle rolled up the knit
ling and slipped it into her gay-colored
bag. coming close to rest her hand on
his shoulder. Jimmie" she had
begged. "don't you think, at this trou-
oied time. that We ought to put all
thoughts of personal comfort, and-er
triumph, from us In one devoted ef-
fort to help the brave men who are
giving their very lives for our coun-
try? Just because you are little be-
yond the age limit Is no reason why
you should not sacrifice. too, in your
way. Marriage means added expense,
Jimmie. Yourself only to provide for,
you could give most generously to the
causes. and I am we'll cared for at
home. Later. in peaceful time, we
future JOY, but now"
Oracle had paused then, quite out
of breath. She was wondering what
else 1t was that Myra Baily told her.
Myra, great Red Cross enthusiast,
had advised freely among her young
friends.
Jimmie, staring Mt his formerly sub
misSive sweetheart as though she had
struck him, told her that she could
not realize what she was saying; and
Oracle. calmly opening the bag to re-
gain her knitting, had dropped from
Its depths crumpled note.
Flushing almost guiltily. the girl
reached for the note hut Jimime fore
stalled her, and q jealous flash shone
In his fine eyes.
"Who is 1t from?" he fiercely asked
her.
Raising her chin def1antly, Oracle
had admitted that the note was from
sOldier-the man for whom she had
been knitting.
what right" demanded the angry
lover, "has strange man to CORE
spond with you?"
1.-THE right Of courtesy" she had
crisply answered; "it's letter of
thanks for the sweater and helmet and
gloves, and"
"Heaven knows, you must have fit
ted him out completely" Jlmime nc
knowledged. "Will you let me see
that letter."
Grudgingly, the girl obeyed.
1t had been his turn to flush then,
and the angry red creeping up to his
heavy, dark hair, left Jim In an unen-
ylable mood.
Sentimental stuff" he muttered
disgustedly. dreamed gratefully Of
his benefactress, while the warm
sweater sheltered him from the
breeze" Calls you his angel lady,
"You are silly. Jimmie Taylor" she
said nj last. you'd better 90 home"
And abruptly her lover had gone.
After his departure Oracle smoothed
carefully the extravagantly grateful
note, while n smile played about her
lips.
OF course. she could not be actually
in|love with the clever writer Of those
beautifully penned eplstles. but ro-
nance held her in Its grasp-romance
and idealism. And he, Jim, must stand
aside until the fancy had passed.
Would 1t pass? Returning soon now,
perhaps, would this absent soldier seek
her out. and finding her more lovely
than even he could have dreamed,
would he make her ideal" reallza-
tion2
ResOlutely Jimmie kept away from
his beloved. Hers had been the fault,
he told himself-hers, II she wished
1t, must be the undong.