South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19
The Mist Maid
By Olive r. Barton

Captain Drew Oliver CROPPED his
way along the station wall to the
entrance. The fog was impenetra-
BILE, the worst in the history of the
city. the oldest inhabitant declared.
But then the oldest inhabitant had
never lived through war times like
these when 'smokestacks and Chin
neys had been multiplied by thou
sands and were vomiting forth their
sulphurous contents into the always
murky, humid air OF the city of
three rivers.
Everything on wheels had stopped
except the trains Probably a mile
out, the sun was shining. But where
the captain finally stationed himself
just outside the station, the shrilling
of whistles and the changing of bells
from the train shed came to him
distorted, like the walls of cropping
souls in torment.
He lighted a cigarette and leaned
back against the wall to wait for
his train. He could have gone in
side where the air was clearer, but
he rather enjoyed the sense of isOla-
ton the fog gave him. Ever since
the day he had put away his beloved
books and turned the key in his Of
fee door, 10 join the army, he had
missed his dearly beloved privacy.
If there was anything on earth he
loved il was TO be alone. But the
army has scratched the word from
it's vocabulary. Everything he did
-. 4
unto his very thoughts. So now he
reveled in the sensation OF having a
square foot or two OF his very own
for the time being upon which no
mortal could intrude. He could hear
voices and footsteps, but he could SEE
no one. If one came near. he could
move away without being seen. II
was a sort of portable seclusion.
Suddenly he frowned. He remem-
bered unpleasantly that his sister
Betty was having a party for him
that night. He had protested, but
she had begged so. he had given in.
He hated parties. and aside from
Betty he had no use for girls. He
had dedicated his life 10 service. and
the other sex had no place IN It.
He had congratulated himself
upon his escape from matrimony. So
many OF his brother officers were
tied up with women folks now. like
so many millstones. when they were
trying 10 get away overseas. Here
ne was on his last leave. immune
and heart whole. ready 10 go. with
nobody but Betty TO think about,
and even then Betty was engaged
and not likely TO break her heart
Suddenly he saw Betty scarcely an
arms length away. lie didn't know
she had come to town. but there she
was. just going into the station
Likely some last minute errands.
He'd give her a little surprise and
announce his proximity in an unusu-
al way. So he threw away his CT
garette. reached out both hands. and
covered her eyes. then slowly draw
ing her head back. kissed her on the
lips. She struggled and screamed,
and turned furiously as he laughing
~ let her go.
But his blood turned 20 FIRE and
then 10 ice as ne looked into the
loveliest face he had ever seen. but
not Bettys
"How-how dare YOU" demanded
/ the girl. running her ewes scathingly
over his uniform. The look made
him ainch He tried 10 explain. but
somehow couldn't ind his tongue
Iand by the time ne had started 70
stammer out an opology. she vas
gone.
That night. after dancing duufully
once with each girl as he had pro-
missed ne again sought solitude IN
the garden The moon was out and
little fieecy clouds like thoughts
fioated idly over the dark blue