The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-10-08
The Committee
-
BY NELLIE GORDON.

NO more Liberty loan boosting, ana
the Red Cross activities had abated
considerably in the town of Kentville
with the dawnlng of peace. Dorothy,
before the war, had been rather a
lady of leisure. but the lure of doing
ones bit had gotten into her blood,
and she was restless with little to do.
Scanning her mail she found one
letter which brought look of en-
thusiasm to her very attractive face,
replacing the bored, listless look
which had settled there lately.
1t was from the American Red
Cross, asking that she serve on com
mittee to aid men returning from the
service, in finding positions suitable
to their various abilities and to help
them I'm general in readjusting them
selves to civilian life.
Dorothy literally threw herself into
the work with great eagerness. From
morning until night she gave of her
best efforts to the wonderful work.
One morning. as she was leaving for
the ".After-Care" headquarters, call
er was announced. And In the living
room she found a tall, bronzed young
man clad In olive drab,
miss Gray?" he questioned.
Dorothy nodded.
81 understand that you are one of
the 'After-Care' committee, and as
have just returned from camp have
taken the liberty of calling to ask IL
you could aid me in finding work.
suppose II is a little irregular, as / do
not belong here. bat as I intend TO re-
main here for some time. at least,
thought perhaps you might be willing
TO help me-"
Dorothy considered for a moment,
then, assuming her most businesslilSe
manner, said: "It is rather Irregular,
suppose. but then. the object Of the
work Is to help all soldiers, and
think perhaps the matter Of your not
belonging here will not matter"
After noting his qualifications, and
securing his address. she promised to
communicate with him as soon as pos
sible.
A week later found Robert Birney,
Dorothy's protege, settled In the Of
flee of Dorothy's father. And, strange
ly enough, II became necessary for
Dorothy to visit her father at business
very much more often than in the
past. She had many pleasant chats
with the stranger, who puzzled her
greatly, as his manner Of speech and
habits were very much at variance
with his apparent position in life.
Some months later came day Of
much rejoicing In Dorothy's family.
Brother Bob arrived home after a
year of fighting "over there" After
he had been home about week he
accompanied Dorothy one morning to
the Office.
And as they entered the outer Of
fee strange thing occurred. Bob
cleared the little gate I'm a jump and
landed almost on top OF the young
man who was studiously working at a
desk.
bob Birney-by all that's wonder
full" shouted Bob, wringing that
young mans hand. "But what In the
name Of common sense are you doing
hereT
Birney, flushed and uncomfortable
and avoiding Dorothy's wondering
gaze, answered: "Tll see you this aft
ernoon at 5 80 and explain every
thing. I'm rather busy just now, as
have some things to finish which are
quite important"
Promptly at 5 80 Bob's roadster was
waiting at the office, and the two
young men rode Off together In the
twilight. After they had been riding
little while Birney began his re-
cital.
"You see, after I got home I was
pretty well all in and dad sent me
up here for rest before getting into
harness with him. After / had been
here few days saw your sister, and
then 1t was all of with me. / just
had to meet her. and 1 couldn't think
of a way. Then found out that she
was on this 'After-Care' committee,
and the idea came. So went to her,
posed as a man who needed work,
and she secured the position in your
fathers Office for me. Obi 1t was a
caddlsh thing to do" he added bit
terly; "and / suppose you'll think I'm
a pretty poor Sort"
But Brother Bob was shaking with
suppressed laughter. Pretty clever !"
he choked. "Now It's up to you to
square yourself with Dot. She's wise
that something's in the air after this
afternoon, but I didn't say a word to
her. I wanted to hear your version
first"
Dorothy must have had a Fremont
ton that she was going to have
caller. as she donned her very pref
tiest gown.
When the maid announced his ar
rival she descended to the living room
and found there young man, tall and
bronzed, but with brown eyes that
were more somber than merry, as on
another occasion.
II have an explanation to make.
Miss Grey" he began, and forthwith
began the tale of his perfidy. Dorothy