Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-16
DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE HOME GUARD
BY Ellen l.. Kennedy
TTNHE early spring dusk was falling as

FTHE early spring dusk was falling as
i Hugh Standsh dropped from the
suburban car and splashed through the
icy slush and mud toward home. IL nao
been hard day and he was tired. His
shoulders sagged trihe and his imp
was more perceptible than usual. But
more depressing than any mere physical
oppressed his spirits. He had felt it
ever since his soldier brothers return
from France. He recognized the symp-
tom and in his heart did not hesitate
served. Ali the way out from the city
the clankng carwheels had voiced 1t
for him-"Jealous fool" they had re-
iterated over and over again.
As he turned in at the gate of the
little cottage the bright light from the
across the path and he stopped in the
shade of the syringa bush to look in on
the familiar. comfortable old room. Sev-
eral people were sitting there. He
elegant in her best black silk; Uncle
Charles, portly and smiling; Cousin
| Gertrude in her stylish prettiness !;
twelve-year-old Tom, his boyish face
looking serious and intent; over in the
corner his mother with an immaculate
white apron over her afternoon gown
"Hero.worshiping," muttered the
solitary figure by the syringa bush.
on the piano. and the rich tones of his
brothers voice foated out to the
watcher.
with an exclamation OF impatience
Hugh moved on, but still that stirring
voice pursued him Quietly he let him
self in at the side door and tiptoed
softly about the dmly lit kitchen. He
had no desire to attract the attention
of the jolly group in the living room.
Peerlng into the range. he discovered
that the fire was nearly out and re-
plenished it with the last few sticks
remaining in the wood box.
| He can trail around in the moon
light with the nightingales," ran his
| thoughts; cit seems to be up to me TO
keep the home fires burning" Out in
the woodshed he filled his arms with
! firewood and turned once more Kitchen
ward. but paused at the sound of voices
in the room.
Now. Molly. child, you run right
back and help entertain all those peo-
pie. can manage alone" said his
| mothers voice.
But would so much rather help
here, was the reply in the girlish voice
the listener loved.
-, Let me tell you one thing, Molly"
The elder woman's tone was low and
impressive; THE heroes of this war
did not all get over to France. Some
of the bravest of them never even saw
I'm not belitting what Dick did. /
know, he was good soldier and I am
rproud of him. 1t was always easy for
Dick to do. spectacular things. But IL
he could have been accepted Hugh
would have made just as good soldier.
while Bick's courage is not the kind
that would have kept him cheerful and
faithful with only one old woman for a
witness"
Don't you suppose I have seen, too?'
Molly replied. Don't you think know
that Hugh has worn his old overcoat
all winter because the price of a new
the, patches on it are just as much a
badge of honor as a medal. And he
has given not only his money. but his
time and strength to every worthy
The eavesdr dropper thrilled at the trem-
bling earnestness of the girls voice
and now. as they slightly changed their
positions. he saw his mother take the
into her flushed face. Child" she said,
II have thought Hugh's lameness was
MS only I'M iInfirmity' Now 1 believe he
Tie color famed higher in the girls
cheeks.
You must not be the one to open
his eyes" she replied,
He must see for himself or I must
remain spinster schoolma'a am the rest
oil my days"
Noseessly Hugh retreated TO the
woodshed again. For Cnce the truth OF
the old adage concerning listeners was
refuted. Ever since his schoolboy days
when a coasting accident had left him
with the lameness which barred him
but sharply envied his handsome ath,
letlc brother. For while, after theii
srhooldays were ever, he had thought
the feeling was gone. But the war hat
especially since his brothers return he
: had felt morbid distrust Of his owr
usefulness and efficiency. Now he knew
that the old. ranking soreness was
loved best in all the world understood
He dropped his armful of wood with
a crash and then deliberately begar
WHO is that?" demanded a startled
voice. and in the doorway appeared hi.
mother, with Molly's bright face peer
ing over her shoulder.
His mothers shrewd. clear eyes
peered questionngly at his face. Their,
was ring in his voice she had no
And all through the evening that fol
lowed trose same eyes beamed behint
their spectaclss with grinning salts
: was the life of the little party. Hi
rich baritone Joined with Dicks tenor
Mcily's contralto and Cousin Gertrude'
n al the ihe sasae OF war
with Uncle Charles in. way that mad,
r that worthy mans broad face bean
with approval. He was quietly deferen
: tial to Aunt Caroline and teased Cousin
I Gertrude. To Molly he said but littl
until Uncle Charles, consulting hi
) watch. declared that 'the women folk
:, must hustle If they intended to get tina
last car to town." Then, finding Dicl
p helping Molly into her wraps he COOL,
I took them from him, saying:
you take Gertrude to the car-th
home guard will look after Molly"
III After one quick glance at his brother
determined face, Dick relinquished hi
i burden.
d Very WELL SIR" he said, raising nj
hand in a military salute.
Hugh drew Molly's arm through hi
e with an air of proprietorship that spok
volumes.
Come. Molly" he said, and obedientl
[ Molly came, as she had long know
she would come whenever that voic
should summon her.
4 The next complete noveIette-NaD
Burglar.