Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-01-03
AScrapo Of
Paper
Ey GENEVIEVE NJ
scoDyrisbt. 1918. Western Newspaper Onion !,

home town as he returned to it after
an absence of a year. He had been
abroad on business-the business OF
demolishing autocracy and full well
had he done his duty. Placed at once
in active service, a bit of shrapnei
had lodged In his chest, placing him
on the hospital !.st for a month. Near
verdan, months later, a rifle ball had
penetrated one knee. They inyalided
him then, for it would be a long time
before he .ould walk without limplng.
He linn d now and progressed slow
ly as he left the train. arriving at Ciin-
ton Ave hours after the glorious news
Of victory and peace had reached the
little hamlet. At any other time he
might have become the center OF at
traction, for he had many friends
in the town and reports of his bravery
and medal award at the front had been
duly noted in the local newspaper.
Just now. however, the place had gone
wild.
There was Il reason for this. Just
before going into the service his love
for a certain young lady in the village,
named Wanda Bond, had inspired him
with mighty hope n longing. On the
eve OF making his decl9ration, with or
ders for departure to service pend
Ing. he wns told by Il friend that Miss
Bond had become engaged to Ellis
ThurstOn. An overheard rciteration
of the reformation on the part OF
Thurston completely drove Roger
from the field as a rival. He was
glad to get away from the scene where
his fondest hopes had been so rudely
blasted. He had not heard from Wan
da since. Now, returned, he could not
reI,rcss the old interest and love in a
girl who was the one and only Ideal OF
his dreams.
rs Il IN omenf' abruptly Roger ques-
TONED himself, and drew back into a
sheltering doorway. Coming down the
street In an automobile was the man
who had robbed him of his loye-Ellis
Thurston. The latter was flushed and
riotous OF manner and voice. He was
showcring confetti on the crowds and
uttering iubilant yells, the sham pa
triot he had ever been, for he had taxi
en- an advantage CT a technicality to
going into war service.
Clinton was soon ablaze with enthu-
siasm. copying metropolitan manners
eelebrant on a minor scale. Whistles
shrieSed, bells jingled, automobiles
dashed along with strings of tin cans
trailing behind. From Office windows
great masses of torn-up paper were
cast adrlft, filling the air and littering
the street, and all the time, cooped up
at home, just convalescing from an at
tack of the measles md therefore I'M
able to Join the rowing groups down
town, little Mile aud Esther, nieces OF
Wanda Bond, set about having q jubi-
latlon of their own on a homemade
scale. but destined to solve the fate of
two loving hearts that otherwise might
have drifted apart~ fGEe~1r.
a-ffn afule with a servant they
trimmed the porch with flags and bunt-
ing. They were forbidden to leave the
yard, but fully enjoyed the infection
OF patriotic duty. A sight OF whlriing
scraps OF paper down the street sug-
gested an idea. "0hl" exclaimed Es-
Their. why can't we make a snow
storm, too :"
we can. we must acquiesced Mil
lie excitedly. and very soon they had
gathered UP all the old newspapers In
the house, got up on the fence posts
and shouted with glee as the brisk
breeze added their quota to the litter
that notified the roadways.
II know where there's q heap OF old
paper" declared Mile. as their initial
supply was exhausted.
"yvhcre--where," demanded her
partner In mischief eagerly.
I'm the attic. Aunt Wanda put a
box OF stuff from her desk up there
yesterday" and thIs II was In their
needless glee the W exiles from the
public celebration made up for the
deprivation by recklessly scattering to
the winds the contents Of q waste
basket speedily pounced upon.
Roger Melville had meantime felt an
irresistible impulse 10 stroll past the
house of his beloved one. Twice he
was buffeted with the sheets and par
tlcles Of paper sent adrift by reckless
hands. An open four-page letter
caught against his coat. His eye fall
ing upon Il. he locked with Interest at
4 letter addressed TO Dear Friend
wands." and 1t was signed by Estelle
Mason, her closest friend.
Ii was OF recent date and pslpably
one Of a regular correspondence. His
eyes glowed as he perused II. All
thoughts of the propriety Of reading
the letter we're as naught for the mo-
ment, as his thirsting soul drank in a
rapture complete.
II am glad you have given Ellis
Thurston his quietus," 1t read. BE
tween q smoker and a hero there is
no choice. Why don't you forget maid
emily modesty and all that, and cheer
up the man you lore. fighting for his
native country and very likely think
ing OF you rs constantly as you Of hint
Dear, brave Rogerl really believe,
dear girl. that some miseonception sent
him away without telling you how
much he thought OF you"
Medals are something. the letter OF
commendation from my general IL
something greater" soliloquiEed Roger
Melville ~joyously. "but this Is more
than all put together !"
And he prcssed his lips 60 the letter