The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-04-17

HER DREAM
BY MISS ETHEL M. FARMER.


Eleanor Chase addressed this re-
mark to the steaming loaves Of dark
bread MS she carefully removed them
from the over Then very critically
she surveyed the results of her morn
ing's labor-three "rye-crusted" apple
pies, n dark, plain cake and an old
fashioned Indian pudding, besides the
three loavcs of oatmeal bread.
II certainly have made the 'substi-
tutes' work to advantage this morn
ing" she laughed. "Now 1 deserve q
little rest in the cool hammock out
under the trees!"
Eleanor did not realize that she
was tired, but only knew that the
soft, roomy hammock was q decided
contrast to the hot kitchen, where she
had spent a morning wondering and
planning over her cooking.
"Oh, DEAR" she sighed, II wish that
I could do something. I wish that I
were Joan of Arc, or Florence Night
ingale, or my brother!"
The galloping of a horse broke the
stiffness around her.
With surprise and admiration FL
n gazed at the rider. "Joan Of
Arc" she half whispered.
The woman caught the whisper and
smiled.
Eyes, I am the Joan Of ARC Of to-
day."
"What do you mean?" Eleanor
asked.
II mean that 1 am trying to do as
much for my country as she did for
hers, but this great change will need
every woman in the country in the
army! DO you want to join?"
"Of course, but howe"
The rider patted the smooth neck Of
the now prancing horse while she an
swered the questicner.
"The same old story, but a hard one.
If we will conserve the food, Il boys
will gladly fight to the end!"
Eleanor's face lighted. II already
harder than ever!!"
The rider smiled as the horse gall
loped away in the distance.
No sooner had they disappeared than
a tall, Whitehead nurse stood in their
place. The soft, white costume with
the Red Cross emblem on the arm and
cap seemed very suitable for this
handsome Oma with pleasant eyes.
81 am Florence Nightingale and I
heard your wish," she said.
Eleanor's eyes frightened.
II am so glad: l want to really do
something. 1 wish that I could
nurse!"
"You can do something" the
stranger answered. 1--WE cannot all
be nurses, any more than we a all
fight; but those who can and are
over there can do little without money.
You can help more than you think by
helping to supply their needs.
Before Eleanor could thank this
brave woman she had disappeared,
and a soldier stood in her place. The
once trim uniform was torn and
muddy, but his shoulders were straight
and his bandaged head erect. In his
eyes there was a new look-a look of
manhood and victory.
Eleanor looked With surprise and
Joy into the face of her brother.
"Dan!" she cried.
He sat down beside her in the ham.
mock and they both looked at the
Service flag"
$50 you want a star in that?" he
asked at last.
She nodded assent.
swell, little sister, I heard your
wish. I know how you feel, but you
have a big business to do here. We
will gladly do tie fighting if you can
keep things going here. Keep us fell
lows posted on the home news and do
not forget us and we will do the
I rest"
She put out her hand to smooth his
torn coat, but he was not there! She
was alone in the hammock! Her cries
Of Dan! DAM" were fruitless.
With a cry she jumped to her feet
and rubbed her eyes. 1t had all been
a dream after all! Yet it was such a
real dream that she could not for
get it.
When she discovered the letters to
her brother lying unmailed on the
polished parlor table she Immediately
started for the little village post office.
II wonder what 1 can do to really
help?" she asked herself, as she wan
dered along the quiet road.
II simply cannot do that" she tried
to assure herself. "Why can't some
one else do it? Now there is Doro-
thy and Bernice and oh, well, plenty
Of others who have more time than 1.
l really can't" she ended feebly.
The whitehead nurse seemed to be
looking at her accusingly and saying:
"Remember it is money that they need,
and everyone must hclp!"
Eleanor deposited the letters in the
little Office and went On up the road.
A stout, yet very energetic man, an
swered the quick ring of the doorbell.
When he saw the caller there his fat
face lighted up with a smile.