South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-02
Chance and Charlie
By A. Maria Crawford

. that some day Charley would wear
that garment on he straight young
body she had loved How close his
arms had held her.
Il want a bolt OF white satin rib
I bon. No. one. pleaset" said a sweet
I voice and Carroll quickly reused
from her reverie and looked I'D 10
see Mrs Bennerman Merritt. the So
cial leader OF the city. the woman
I who had seen TO Il that every sol
I der in the parade had been given a
wreath OF flowers made by patriotic
women who wanted in some way 10
/ express their debt OF the gratitude
F 90 the khaki clad throng Of stalwart
men.
ooh. beg your pardon" said
/ Carol. frustrated by the awe inspir-
/ ing presence Of the richest woman in
I the city. She might report her for
/ Indifference to customers. The heat
has made by head ache terribly"
Mrs. Bennerman Merritt smiled
( sympathetically like all truly worth
while women do az less fortunate one
/ Poor child," she said. leaning over
+ the ribbon strewr counter 10 pat the
girl's arm. you look white and
tired. Ny husband has an interest
/ i'm this store and I am going TO ask
/ the management to excuse you this
/ afternoon. I'll take you home with
me for a little while ! know lust
what to do for tired little girls like
/ YOU"
Warm tears sprang to CAROLS
/ big blue eyes and she whispered her
thanks brokenly. How kind the world
was after all Perhaps she would
find a picture like the one in the
store window out at Mrs Merritt's
beautiful home. She could look at it
/ then as long as she wanted 10. of
course. Mrs Merritt would not
know that Charley had been her
husband for whole happy year
How grateful she was 70 lie down
in the big swing on the side porch Of
! Mrs. Merritt's great house. to feel
the luxury OF cool linen pillows un-
der her aching head Mrs Merritt
waited on her herself There was no
starting servants TO gave at her cur
iously.
You rest quietly for fifteen min
utes. my dear" said Mrs. Merritt
by that time. I will be back 70 sit
with You" Then she was gone.
heavy step sounded on the porch
presently and Carroll opened her
eyes. An officer in the uniform Of a
first lieutenant was talking 10 Mrs.
Carroll at the door
You see I'm here" he was saying.
You were so kind 10 us yesterday
that 7 felt free TO talk to you as
wouldn't talk TO any woman but my
mother. Have YOU any news for
| me-"
There was something strangely
familiar about him. Carroll pulled
herself up with a jerk
Yes, 7 have. my boy" sounded
I the sweet voice OF Mrs Merritt.
Then in a low tone. she talked rapid
| " for a minute. Finally Carroll
heard her say. sit down on the side
porch I'll join YOU presently"
Mrs. Merritt may have laughed or
she may have cried with Joy when
she heard the startled EXPLANATIONS
or surprise and wonderful excitment
when the reunited pair met
Carroll dear. how I have hunted
for you, Can you ever forgive me
Do you love me still just a little -"
said the first lieutenant taking the
girl in his arms. She remembered
those arms How close they had
held herl How close they were hold
ing her.
Dazed. crying little. she could
only clutch at the KHAKI clad figure
fearful that he would prove 10 be
only dream that would vanish as
all her dreams had gone 90. Char
ley. it is chance that brought US to-
gether again. isn't it," she sobbed
He shook his head smiling as he
kissed her. Providence. not chance.
/ knew I would find YOU somewhere
before I went overseas I have been
in camp here for a month. Dear
Mrs. Merritt has been doing all sorts
OF lovely things for the boys so yes
terday 7 cOnfided i'm her-tOld her
about rs. how miserably 7 had
Let's forget that part" whispered
Carroll
$50 YOU see she found YOU for
me. Your name was not in the di-
rectorv hut Won had taken some les