Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1919-11-19
HIS RETURN


All the buildings of the town were
gaily decorated with bunting and flags.
Open house was to be kept at the
armory, where the soldiers could find
food, reading matter, tobacco and, best
of all, the society of their old friends,
so long denied them. The girls of the
town had arranged a series of dances,
card parties and entertainments.
A band stand had been erected in the
public square and the people felt they
were prepared to welcome fittingly
their returning heroes. few had al
ready arrived, the remainder were ex-
pected In three days, a-.d their well
come was to be most hearty, with
speeches, music, parades and banquets.
As Marcia Meade helped in these
preparations, her heart was heavy.
Must she give up her position as pri-
vate secretary to Mr. Merton? 1t had
belonged to Don Redell, now Lieut.. Re
dell, and Mr.. Merton had told her when
she was promoted to the place that
when Don returned he was to have his
old position. But she had made good,
and she did so enjoy the work
Couldn't Don find another equally
good position?
She could not get up courage to ask
Mr.. Merton to keep her. He was in
ten<ely patriotic and had told each of
| his employees that his place would be
given him when he returned, with no
loss of wages. Now Don had been
| gassed and wounded, and although he
| %lo% r. hal no
| would seem more of a hero than ever
| to Mr.. Merton. He had been the first
man in town to enlist, and Mr.. Merton
had been very proud of his youthful
secretary, who was now returning with
decorations for bravery.
How could she breach the subject TO
Mr. Merton2 She must be looking for
| another situation, she supposed. for her
former one had been filed, of course.
She wondered if Don would be eager
TO get back to his old work, or would
| prefer to rest at home for while.
Was Mr.. Merton waiting for her to re-
sign gracefully rather than tell her
that she had only three more days
| These troubled thoughts @kept pace
with her hands as she worked, and she
hated herself that she could not feel
more joy in the homecoming of the
soldiers.
When the day came, she went with
the rest of the town TO view the pa
rade. cheering with the crowd, that
was simply wild with pride and en-
thusiasm. She was quick to see how
J fine Lieutenant Redell looked, with his
erect military carriage, his brown face
and steady eyes. Why, what had the
war done to Don? He had gone away
a brilliant, lovable, fun-loving boy; he
had come back stern-faced man.
Marcia's heart glowed with a warmth
it had never felt before. She and Dor
had been good friends in their schoo
days but they had drffted apart. She
had written to him often, because ht
had begged her to when he enlisted
But her letters had been almost like
reporters items-newS of the Office
force and town happenings. Sh'
wished now she had put more of he
personality, more friendly spirit, int
them.
She went to the armory, where Sh'
2 was to be one of the hostesses for tn
afternoon. She hoped that Don woult
come there so that she could tell hin
that his old place in the office wa
waiting for him. She had decided tina
as soon as she saw him step from tn
;, train.
: She had wearied of the crowd AM
: stolen quietly away to a corner to rest
Y AS he came to her the old boyish smil
:. frightened the grave face. He held he
hand so long, with such a friendl
grasp. that blush spread over he
!, usually pale cheeks.
Marcia, you were a DrIch 20 writ
to me so often. You haven't the slight
est idea of what letters meant to U
t fellows. Yours were such fine, news
t ones; always full of encouragement
r too: lust the kind to cheer man up.
81 am glad to have done even tha
little for you, Don. 1 have been keel
ing your place for you with Mr.. Me-
;. FOO so that no other man would hav
If when you returned" she told him
If most friendly fashion, without quiz
er now at the loss of her fine saiar
10 and congenial work.
" "Oh, you can keep that while loni
lie er. I am planning to run Uncle WI
y liam's farm this summer. I'm SO q
u customed to outdoor life now that
T. T. Office in warm weather has no allur
m ment for me-"
le Marcia stff1ed a tiny sigh OF relic
She would have sacrificed anything Il
this fine soldier, but she could but r
joice that her sacrifice was not nece
sary.
r marcia" the soldiers voice went
r though In lower tones, you keep Il
r: Office for me through the summer, al
s. after Uncle Williams crops are
1.-=.,.==e>=+.,a I 81, like To ia ke uD ~