The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-07-01
JUST PALS
BY BESSIE sLAvlT.


ment with Bob Baxter before he left
for France.
II had been a boy and girl friend
ship. Both popular, Bob and Fay were
constantly together during their Sc
nior year in high school. Everywhere,
at baseball, at dances, at school enter
tanments Bob was her faithful escort.
As he possessed admirable qualities,
he was a very congenial companion; (;
most particularly, because he always
strove to please Fay.
But that was four years ago, when
Fay was only eighteen. She had chang
ed considerably since then, and the
chief factor in her change was her ac-
quaintance with Hugh Wrentham.
How well she remembered meeting
him at dance two years ago.
Hugh was older than Bob and had
Travelled a great deal. 1t was interest
ing to hear recital of his travels; she
could listen forever for the sheer en-
Joyment Of hearing his voice. What
delightful spring and summer they
spent t0gether
Then the parting Alasi II was the
only sad experience in her young life
that parting from Hugh.
Fay had never written to Bob about
Hugh-Bob, who admired her SO much
and was so proud of his "little pal"
as he called her.
Now, Bob was coming home-he
might call at the house this very after
noon! How could she tell him! How
could she hurt him, he who was SO
easily wounded in his deep regard for
her.
She perceived two men in uniform
coming at a quick pace towards the
house. She arose from the big arm
chair in which she had been nervous
~ knitting, walked to the window and
peered out. Yes; it was Bob, grown
broader, perhaps, but with the same
peculiar gait But the other? Could
it be he, that other who looked so
much like Hugh? He hadn't written
that he expected to arrive Did he
mean to surprise her? She watched
intently until they came nearer, when
she saw that 1t was indeed Hugh-and |
she uttered a sharp cry. Her heart |
bounded with joy her whole body
Quiyered as she recognized him.
Good heavens! Why was he coming I
with Bob? Wild fancies fitted through
her mind and she felt as if cyclone
was carrying her off her feet and |
her round and round.
Bob was the first to greet her, cry
ing cheerily;
"Well, Fay, old girl, won't you well
come a fellow back from the Jaws Of
dee p
~ lTu~ -what-how-" but
un,ale to say aaore, she collapsed at
their feet.
y "Fay, why don't you say somethingY
Bob asked soothingy. us anything
wrong?"
Fay could only glance at Hugh ap-
Dealngly, for she could not speak. Al
though her face betrayed her secret,
Bob had already OWNED the cause of
Ter agitation. He motioned to Hugh
10 leave the room, then. drawing
hair to Fay's side:
'Fay dear little chum, please don't
EEL distressed 1 already know the
ruth" Fay cast a furtive glance at
lis face-half surprised, half fright
med. "You see" he continued, 81 met
lugh on board ship coming home, We
'ecame inseparables and pledged an
verlasting friendship. Hugh, know
ne nothing of our old friendship,
poke of your mutual love. then told
lin that we were school friends and
le was delighted to talk to someone
Who knew you. When we arrived he
insisted upon my coming with him, de-
pite my remonstrances. Everything
S just rs it should be- Fay, and I
hall be delighted to see you both hap.
" together"
Fay seemed to gain new strength
he color mounted to her cheeks and
er eyes glistened. Rising from the
hair, she held out her hands to him.
Bob 1 thought you-yeu-"
Bob laughed-a joyful, relieved
lugh it was-and replied:
Fay, dear, four years ago, when {
'e were both too young to judge wise
:, we made a premature decision. As |
u me. l shall always esteem you i'm. |
lensely and shall never forget the de- |
ghtful times spent with you, little pal, |
ut"-here he bAushed and paused |
then, while a happy ex- |
ression spread over his cOuntenance, |
e bOyishly cried: Fay, here Is a |
icture Of the sweetest little girl in |
le world to me, girl whom l met
/ Paris" and he opened his watch
use, which disclosed to Fay the love
r face of n girl about twenty years
age. "Now that everything is hap
ly adjusted between you and me l
lall sail to France within a month
nd claim the most wonderful Ameri-
IN girl who braved the dangers Of
ar and brought me back to life"
"Oh, Bob, I'm so glad % was all she
i'd, as tears Of joy triekled down her
leeks.
"Hugh muse be very impatient III
nd him in" and Bob rushed from the
ON.
A moment later Hugh entered, and
Fay, said softly:
Fay, my own darling, I've come
clx 70 buiId n Daradfsa for Vo,1 and