Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-08-22
Reconstruction
Romance
r.
By DORA II. NOLAN


paper Syndicate.)
Just three months from the day on
which the armistice was signed a
mammoth ship, largest Of all things in
the world, steamed into the harbor Of
the metropolis of the Western hemi-
sphere. Every person on the west side
of that city was made aware of Its ap-
proach, for a giant siren cleared Its
throat and let forth long-drawn-out
below, which died down to a gurgle,
rose and fell again and again.
The siren, located on the roof Of
skyscraping building was fulfilling a
mission quite different from that for
which 1t had been designed. 1t had
been installed TO give warning of enc
mics in the air should they come. Ger
man air raids2 Who remembered, now,
that they had ever been feared?
One of thousands who had helped to
mako q that fear a thing to be
laughed at, and who was now leaning
over the rails Of the Leviathan re-
ceiving the tumultuous welcome Of flag
and steam whistle extended by the
city. was Sergt. Charles Brenden,
typical Of all, for though slight of
build and Of medium height, he was
well set up, with clear blue eyes and
possessed Of that confident air which
belongs to man who has proved HIM
self equal to any emergency.
1t might be hours before they
locked. The huge craft was surround
ed by tiny, putting tugs pulling, push
ing and coaxing, like ants as they
force an object far larger than them
selves to do their will. But they were
home-homel And the welcome was
all they had dreamed. Eagerly their
eyes searched the shores for well-re-
membered landmarks; gayly they
scrambled for the papers, cigarettes
and candy thrown on board from the
small craft bearing the mayors com
mittee Of welcome.
Charles thoughts ran on ahead. OF
course, after today, things would quiet
down. They would entraln for a camp
for rehabilitation. Then to the city
that wonderful city whose Jagged sky
line he recognized In almost every de-
tail. And right away after that his
Job In the city office OF an out-of-town
silk mandatory.
On Saturday morning Brenden was
mustered out, and that afternoon he
arrived In town along with many Of
his comrades. The hurry and hustle,
jangle and clatter of the traffic was
music to his ears.
The avenue was decorated in his
their-honor The scene thrilled al
most as much as on the day when
their ship entered the harbor. Charles
crossed to Sixth avenue and took the
L-no underground route for him to-
day. To feast his eyes on the life and
movement Of his native city appealed
more than a greater speed.
Allghting at Slxty-slxth street,
Charles proceeded straight to his old
boarding place. And then the welcome
began all over again, for Miss johnson
answered the bell; and she was one Of
that rare species. klnd-hearted lady.
For an elderly splnster her kiss was
not bad imitation Of what n mothers
might be. Anyway, 1t seemed like that
to Charles, who had no recOllectiOns Of
the genuine thing.
His room was awaiting him, its last
occupant having been unceremoniously
ousted In his behoof. Everybody re-
joiced at his return. Elderly Mr.. Bech
with blew him to dinner and "A show
that night. Sunday was spent in look
ing up some friends.
SO altogether this war veteran of
twenty-three was In a happy mood
Monday morning when he started
down town to see the boss" about get
ting back on the job pretty soon and
to say "hello" to the Office force.
1t was so early that only old Gruber,
the Janitor, was on hand; but he start
ed the welcome and It grew as the
force gathered for the daily grind
Only two others besides himself had
left the office for the service and he
was the first one back. SO Charles
knew most OF the staff and soon met
the others. They bombarded him with
questions and, Of course, were thanked
again for his Christmas box.
"But who sent that dandy warm
sweater" Brenden asked. "The card
read, From n girl with brown eyes,"
His eyes followed those of two chaps
who stood nearby to the edge OF the
little group-and straight into those Of
n girl. She was good to look upon
and Charles looked for long seconds
before he fell to the fact that the eyes
into which he was so rudely staring
we're brown and beautiful. Just then
the door opened and the group preclpl-
lately broke up. The girl was gone,
with the rest, and Charles was left
standing alone, as the manager en-
tered the room.
Mr.. Huber greeted the returned sol
dier in his usual bluff manner: what,
you back, Brenden" And after shak-
ing hands added: "Come into my Of
fee In five minutes"
Promptly the boy stood before the
familiar desk and the boss looked up.
"Well, Brenden, what can do for
your Huber inquired, after asking
some rather perfunctory questions
about Charles experiences, the an
swers to which did not seem to par
tIcularly interest him.
you can give me my Job back again,
sir. That's what came for" Charles
had learned to address his superior Of
acers briefly and to the point
MN. SIT down minute" the
manager replied. The minute and
several more, were consumed in an
attempt on the part OF Huber 10 con-