The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-07-31
Silver
Against Gold
~
BY r. RAY BAKER

(Copyrtgnt, 1919, Dy the McOioAo @'S~
paper Syndicate.)
The war Wait, this is not wa
story. There are no bursting smells
or crawling tanks or trench dugout
or spies In this tale, which concern
IAN event that happened in q Itti'
backwoods town iu Illinois six months
after the armistice was signed.
The war is dragged in because
explains the advantage acquired o.
Herbert Drew over Gilbert Post In th'
battle for the love Of Marguerite Ho
bart.
When the truce, moved the lever
that changed the current of troops
crossing the Atlantic westward In
stead of eastward, Herbert doomed III
in his home town one sunny. bird
chirping spring day wearing an over
seas cap on one side of his head an
Drown bandages' on his legs, with
gold chevron on his sleeve; while Gil
bert put in his appearance on drlz
ely, dreary day a short time late
with just hat and leggings covering
respectively his toussled yellow hal
and his neither limbs, and a splash O.
silver on his arm to denote he hat
been in service "over there"
They were drafted IN the same con
tingent and they went to Camp Gram
together. At that time Gilbert had tn
inside track with Marguerite, ant
their engagement was generally con
sidered a certainty for the near fu
ture. Gilbert was not SO attractive
as Herbert, who was a pronounced
brunette, but Marguerite felt muci
deeper affection FOR him, because sR'
thought she fathomed finer qualities
of character in him, and because
well, just because.
So it was losing fight for Private
Drew before he went to camp, bn
shortly after he began his military
training his luck changed. Naturally
Marguerite could not decline to an
swer his letters, for she had to I'd,
her Bit for the soldiers, and he con
tinued his wooing by mail.
In this there was some advantage
for him, because he was a good CORE
spondent, while Gilbert was more OF
less of a failure along those lines
The big change in his fortune, how
ever, was when he was ordered over
seas, while Gilbert was relegated tt
the depot brigade.
So Herbert Drew came back home 9
hero, while Gilbert Post was just 8
soldier, with no more glamour about
him than that afforded by his uni
form, and that did not last long, fol
he shed his khaki for "civies" as soon
as he could procure store clothes
Herbert on the other hand, con
tinued to wear his uniform, and il
certainly did add to his prestige
Tales of his bravery in action WEI:
published in the local weekly ant
that drew more brilliant glare about
him.
Marguerite, being human girl
could not resist these things, and al
most before she herself could realize
it she was considering Herbert hcl
accepted sutton and Gilbert in the
has-been class.
Gilbert plugged along at his work
In the flour mill, where he had a job
that paid well for town Of that
size. He knew he was losing out
with Marguerite, for he realized what
the chances were with q gold chevror
against a silver one.
Both the young men continued to
call on Marguerite, but Gilbert had
been cut down to once week, while
he was aware that Herbert was at the
Hobart home at least every other
night. Then, her manner of treating
him was different. She was still very
friendly and tried to entertain him
pleasantly, but he knew the old spirit
of comradeship that had once existed
was lacking, while the still deeper
feeling that had made itself evident
on some occasions before that fateful
CONSUMPTION act went into effect was
decidedly conspicuous by not being
there any more at all.
Gilbert made the good fight, bu
gradually it became manifest to him
that it was losing fight. Finally
things came to climax one night
because he felt that he could not keeI
silent any longer but just had to know
where he stood, on sand or rock.
'.How is it, Marguerite?" he asked
as he was preparing to leave, after
his weekly call. care you just toler
ating me? Is that the way things
stand?"
She looked down at the toe of hel
shoe and wiggled it a few times
watching it intently, as If it were
something she never before knew she
possessed and was very curious con
corning its functions.
"WeIl, no." she said, after few
seconds thought. II can't say it's JUS
that way. / like you very much, Gil
bert; but I have realized for soEt