The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-02-11
"KHAKI"
BY MISS RUTH {. eURnHAM.

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Jerry slowly opened her eyes, and
for n moment she was startled, then
she laughed softly as she glanced
around the little camp bedroom-sure-
ly Ii had been familiar enough a year
ago. She sat up and reached for her
watch as she looked out OF the win
DOVE o'clock and beautiful morn
Ing She would take the canoe, she
thought, paddle around TO the little
cove and dream until breakfast time.
Her hostess would understand.
Ten minutes later she softly closed
the door of the screened-in porch and
stood on the little float. The canoe
was goneI Perhaps Dick, the husband
Of her hostess. had gone on an early
errand and would be back soon She
sat down to wait
It was all so familiar, the float. the
little camp with the screened-in porch,
the beautiful lake. How many good
times and happy days she had spent
there last season. sitting quietly on
the piazza, padding on the lake. stroll
ing along the country roads, The pic
lures crowded through her memory,
and always beside her in them all was
o tall figure in khaki camping clothes
"a lazy figure. content to do her bid
ding, with apparently no other aim in
life than the pleasure at hand. II had
all been very pleasant and happy, and
then-he had proposed. As a chum
and playmate he had fitted admirably,
hwwN g. -
a competent. commanding man. she
had told him. not an indolent boy In
khaki trousers and flannel shirt. So IL
had ended. Her friendship with his
sister had remained unbroken. but the
good times had ceased, and now after
a winter OF hard work, she had been
glad to accept Sylvia's kind invitation
for the weekend. with the tacit I'M
Outstanding that the fellow in khaki
camping clothes should be absent.
Then rudely her dream was broken.
A canoe came gliding into view, and
there was something familiar both In
the craft and the straight figure pad
ding.
Stephen" she cried as the canoe
scraped the landing.
The tall, good-looking figure In the
khaki uniform of Uncle Sans army
looked squarely into her eyes until
her lashes dropped. Then he steadied
the canoe with hand on the float
and held out the other hand.
Get I'M" he said, and there was
nothing indolent either about voice or
manner.
She stepped squarely into the center
Of the canoe, settled among the cush-
ions. and he padded OF with steady,
clean stroke. Not a word was uttered
until they reached a little cove which
shut of the view of the cottages. Then
he stopped and looked at her until she
could feel the color dye her cheeks.
where did you come from7" she
stammered, to cover her confusion.
Had a few hours leave from camp.
Came on the last train last night" he
replied.
did you know I was hereT she
asked quickly.
mo, didn't" Stephen replied. just
as quickly; but should have come
Just the same II had. had made up
my mind to 90 to Boston next week,
anyway, just to see you. I'm going to
France soon, very SOON" He heard
her catch her breath sharply; then he
went on very quietly: "You told me
last summer you wanted a man for q
husband, not lazy boy, and IL struck
deep. Uncle Sam has been trying his
best TO make a man out Of me. and I'm
doing my best 10 help him. They say
that absence makes the heart grow
stronger for someone nearer home
but IL hasn't my heart jerry" His
eyes held hers until IL seemed they
looked into each others hearts. "You
do love me-" he said as he leaned
forward.
Eyes," said Jerry softly. She had
found her commanding man
Some two hours later Sylvia saw
them land ar the float and pull up the
canoe. Their faces told the story "a
they came into the cottage, and she
congratulated them warmly.
"But what really is the difference.
Jerry. between the lazy boy Of last
summer and his bold young man be-
fore .us7'' asked Sylvia.
HE was dreaming then; he's awake
now" said Jerry as she held his arm
tighter.
Yes, but the real difference is I'm
the khaki" explained Stephen MY
camping clothes were to play around
In and enjoy myself. and did. too;
but Uncle Sans uniform makes you
forget yourself. It's a khaki suit for
man who has hard work to do and
must be ever 'On the job and with IL
on and your goal before you. you just
have to go forward TO victory"
I'm love or warTS laughed his sis
ter
The soldier smiled tenderly down
into his sweetheart's eyes.
Copyright, 1918 by Mcclure Newspaper