Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-15
DAILY NOVELETTE,
WHEN HE CAME BACK
BY MARY W. FORD

" Roberts from the other side of the
office where she was sitting at her
desk. letter tightly clutchcd in a small
palm.
Sorry. Mary. dear but YOU II have
to save what YOU want to tell me till
noon. have II book filled with notes
that | have to transcribC yet.
We'll, I'm coming over, Connie. |
simply must toll some ono. It's too
good to keep all of myself, and | feel
so happy
Constance Grey was the StrnoEraphCr
for Cummings X Cummings. while
Mary Roberts was clerk. Both girls
had attended business college together,
and developed n Stcadfnst friendship
while there. by chance they were both
assigned to work in the same office.
Nov. Mary. if it's truly going to
relieve YOU any to tell me I'll agree to
have you tell me the wonderful news,
but please make it brief.
"Honestly, Conn. really think you re
grouchy this morning, and it does not
become you one bit said little Mary
mischievousIy. "Nou do look 80 charm
Of course this brought the smiles tu
Counie's face. and Mary was pleased to
note that much at least. In fact. Conn
had been rather gloomy lately. and
Mary knew something was troubling
her chum.
Hes coming ON the Mongolia,
Conn" whispered Mary i'll Comm" ;
| ear.
"Oh. Mary. IN 50 glad for your sake
After waiting nearly two years 80 pa
| ticntly is il any wonder You are Sc
| happy with such news: But. at the
same time a wistfuI look crcpt into
/ Comics pretty blue eyes. and h'l
thoughts seemed to b" far away. MARY
noticed this and must have guessed the
truth.
"Copnic-whcn is Jack coming
Have YOU heard any word yet
Connie shook her head sadly. Not !
word. Mary. for six long months ah'
n tear tricklcd down one side of he"
cheek. Mary quietly slipped back t'
her own desk, her eyes filled with tears
also.
..Rud is coming home, and I'm Sc
harpy. but poor Connie. her heart l.
broken" she thought sadly. II wond'I
why hc doesn't answer her letters, Sh'
added mentally.
Connie was working steadily at h"'
typewrtcr. and Mary, tucklng her l''
tor AWAY lovingly in her skirt pocket
also started working. but alas. Mary
thoughts were elsewhere than on hrl
work. and try as she would, she "oul'
think of nothing but that wonderful
shin that was bringing Bud Mard'l
home to her after two long years o
patient waiting.
Connie went home that evening sac
at heart. and she, too, pictured tina
wonderful ship coming in with d"a
LITTLE Mary's Buddy, but where wa
Jnck-why. oh. why didn he write
Had he forgotten so soon the home the!
had planned they would have upon hi
return? All those happy dreams wcr
dreams of bygone days now. and whei
she would pass IL khaki clad boy ant
his sweetheart. arm in arm. Laughing
happily. that same wistfui expression
would creep into her eyes.
The following day Mary was abscn
from the office. She had gone down t
meet the Mongolia. Connie shut he
desk up at closing time and left tn
building. but just as she was about t.
turn the corner, two Inrg" hands W"r
placed over her eyes. and tamllla
voice was saying, kiss me. Conn. AM
I'll take my hands away, but not be
fore" But Jack had already kisse
: her before she could protest, and, open
ing her eyes. she gazed into two hi
brown eyes that belonged only to .lac
Foster. Then followed explanations O
why he failed to write. He had bee
wounded and knocked about from on
hospital to another and unable to write
Arm in arm they walked home like tw
happy children, and as they were turn
-, ing the next corner. whom did the
, meet but Mary and Bud.
| "Oh. Conn, it's wonderful to thin
, Jack came on that boat after all. Blu
told me all about the surprise that wa
planned for you. and | was ovcrjOyed.
cried Mary happily.
= Mary. dear said Connie smilingly
3 this is the happiest day of my life"
, Say. Jack" cried Bud Marden sud
g denly, what do you suppose the fri
will have to say to these young ladie
when they both tender their resigna
9 tions together?'
"Well," laughed Jack, "the only wa
\ we can fix matters up is to invite thcr
S to our wedding"
The next complete noveIette-Jimm
!. as ChaperOn.