The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1919-06-03
WEYLAND'S BIG DAY
BY MARION C. LEESAM.
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
~Syndicate.)

The little town of Weyland was GER
tainly in a fever of excitement-and
why not? Tomorrow was to be Mill
tary day. and all the fellows who had
left that town for the service of Uncle
Sam were invited home to be treated
as honored guests. OF course there
were some already 'over there" who
could not attend, but others were at
nearby camps and schools and the peo-
pie of the town volunteered to go In
their own machines and bring the boys
home.
eff it is only a fair day." said Ruth
Merrill to her mother. eff it rains, it
will spoil the whole thing"
"Don't be pessimistic, Ruth, dear. I
guess it will not rain, it's such a beau
tiful evening. BY the way, will Robert
Foster be able to come homer"
81 hardly think so, and /
don't care whether he comes home or
not"
Robert Foster was one of Ruth's old
sweethearts, but a year ago they had
%quarreled and Bob had enlisted. Ruth
was too proud to give in, and so IA
Bob, hence the quarrel had never been
patched UP.
"Why Ruth, this is no time to be
thinking of petty quarrels," said her
mother. "It's a shame for you and
Bob to act so."
Mrs. Merrill put her neatly darned
GfnptrinUC into Tho haclof fhinEfno
deeply all the while. "There is moth
ing | can do" she thought. "Better
let things ~straighten out themselves"
The next day dawned fair and warm
and Ruth got up with a happy feeling
in her heart. Something was going to
happen to her that day, but what she
knew not. There was to be a parade
in the morning; then in the afternoon
a banquet, and last of all a dance in
the evening.
1t was during the parade that Ruth's
heart beat rapidly, as she saw in the
third formation the tall figure of En-
sign Robert Foster. my, how manly
he looks" Ruth thought, but then she
turned her eyes away for they were
passing by and he might look at her.
II won't speak first" she said to her
mother; but fate had arranged differ
entity. About five o'clock Ruth hustled
to help wait ON table. She had
about fifteen hungry fellows to serve,
and she hurried lest some should be
kept waiting. Everything went fine
till Ruth, with a cup of coffee in one
hand and a plate of chicken salad In
the other, went to place them in front
of n young man, who Immediately
turned and looked up into her face.
Ruth had not expected Bob at her
table, and the shock was too much.
Anyway, the coffee landed somewhere
in Bob's lap, and a dismayed little girl
ran frantically out of the room.
Il shan't go in again." she sobbed to
n of the girls. 81 spoiled his white
suit, and he looked so nice"
After much teasing Ruth was per-
suaded to go to the dance but she took
pains to keep out of Bob's way. She
avoided him all evening by dancing
with other fellows; but one dance came
when Ruth was without a partner, and
Bob, seeing his chance, sauntered over.
Ruth got through the dance, but few
words were spoken. At the beginning
or the encore Bob led her out of the
hall, and they walked in the still moon
light until the dance music was ONLY
family heard.
Then Bob turned and took Ruth
squarely by the shoulders. Little
sweetheart, let's forget everything and
start again. Since training down
south l have had time to think things
over, and l certainly missed my little
girls letters to keep away that home
sick feeling"
Ruth softly squeezed Bob's hand.
I've been sorry, too she said sbut
thought you had forgotten me. Then
when l Numbered and spilled the cof-
fee | felt that was the finishing touch"
THAT'S the least of my troubles;
but, dear. I'm going to sea In a couple
OF weeks, so we must be happy and
make the best of our time together"
1t was a much happier girl who, two
weeks later, said goodby to Bob.
I'll be back soon, dear; so don't
worry" and, kissing her tenderly, Bob
vent away.
Ruth waved until he was out Of
sight. Then, with tears in her eyes,
she looked down at the ring on her
third finger and pressed 1t to her lips.