Jackson County journal. (Sylva, N.C.) 19??-19??, 1919-08-01


ing through all those terrible expert
ences. You ought to sec his eyes
shine when he tells how he went over
the top and Of course. you don't
care to hear about those things. You
didn't have to go through them"
Gilbert smiled dryly. Na. he hadn't
had to go through them; but he sin
cerely wished he had been given the
opportunity.
''Then there isn't any chance for
me?" he asked, placing his hand on
the knob of the door, preparing to
step out into the dark world.
Tears started in her eyes,
''Tm-Im afraid not, Gil. I'm so
sorry, but 1 can't help it because I've
changed | believe, though, you had
better stop coming TO see me. You
see, Herbert and I've are thinking
rather seriously"
81 understand" he said, with
queer little catch in his voice, and he
went out into the black night, where
all the stars were hidden by somber
Clouds
1t was two days later that the vii
lage was aroused from its customary
lethargy by sensational event-the
third that had occurred since the town
was founded Or discovered. or what
ever it was that gave it birth. The
first was the burning of the town
hall in 1901 and the second was the
| robbery of Sam Hankins' henhouse
| only year ago. This third sens;l-
tiOnal event was the near drowning
Of Bobby Hobart.
The news was passed around town
as if electrified waves. 1t was
shouted across back yards by house
wives and along the streets by men
and children. AS a result housework.
business and playing soldier were
abandoned, and the village focked to
the channel down at the flour mill.
The channel branched from the river
and took care of the water power for
the plant.
Into that channel Bobby Hobart had
fallen while playing on the edge with
Willie NObscOtt. The latter had gone
screaming from the scene. Two OF
three men who heard his frenzied
shreks managed to CLEAN some idea OF
what had happened and they hurried
to the place where the accident haC
occurred. They were just in time tt
| see a bedraggled figure climb out OF
the channel with Bobby in it's arms
The child was pretty far gone, but the
work of resuscitation finally bore frui
and the lad began to breathe and Splut
ter, and opened his eyes; and thel
every one-the crowd had begun to col
lect-sighed deeply and looked arOun'
for the reScuer.
The rescuer was in bad way, 70
the water was cold. The young man
teeth Chartered and he was in veI
liable CONFUSION Of shivering.
Marguerite Hobart came hurrying t
the scene, and finding Bobby was SAT
and wrapped in warm blankets, an
already on the way to his home, sh
= took it upon herself to look after tn
rescuer.
"Put him in our car and Wen TAX
: him to our home" she told one of tn
men, Its too far to his own HON
i out in the country. I'm afraid of pnel
mOnia."
A short time later the young ma
= who had saved her brother lay in slice
! in the guest room of the Hobart res
: dence, while Marguerite sat beside tt
bed.
Poor Gill;" she said, strOking h
brow, although the doctor had not SUI
gested a message. Gilbert did not r
y ply to her remarks, but she talked o
u 1--WE learned who the real hero
\ Maybe Herbert Drew fought German
! in the Argonne, but I'm not so sur
n What l do know is that he saw Bobl
fall in the channel, and that, instead
:" leaping in to save him. as you did.
q ran to find rope to throw to brothe
IL There were some heroes who stayed
le camp. Gil"
y At this second mention of his mar
i Gilbert opened his eyes, and q;
:! look overspread his face, and when
I'D looked out the window the world W
~ SunShiny and smiling again.