The herald., 1919-12-25
IN THE TWILIGHT
BY ELIZABETH M'NAUGHT

Copyright, 1919, Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate)
The early dusk was falling As Doc
tor Carroll shook his long Iank form
from the euyeloping coat and dropped
into a chair beside his desk 1t had
been hard day and he was tired. His
shoulders sagged tritte and as he
stretched his long legs out in weari-
ness the weak member ached. But yet
far more depressing than any mere
physical WEAKNESS was the dun heavi-
ness that oppressed his spirits. 1t was
not of recent date. either; he had felt
it ever since the first medical unit
had sailed to foreign shores on their
errand of mercy.
Earnestly and hopefully he had
made application to be accepted, but
politely, yet firmly, he was made TO
realize that war was no place for dam
aged goods. This was bad enough Of
itself, hut when the idol of his heart
gave him a hurried kiss. an under
standing pat on the shoulder and set
sail to do her bit, he knew his cup OF
bitterness was overlooking. Still, one
must 60 on. No use being gutter,
and between the dspenSarieS, the hos
pitfalls and the countless demands OF
the office, there was little time for
brooding.
Now they We're coming back! The
city was wild with enthusiasm in well
coming back these supcr-men and
women who are ever to be found
where the brutalities OF their fellow
I men wage the tierceSt.
He finally arose and closed the door
none too gently, and as he sat down
again he felt little ashamed of him
self for not having recognized the OPP
orators friendly little smile. Still, it
was all put on, he told himself. ii was
her stock in trade just as the anxious
mother OF an ailing baby too poor to
| pay a fee will carry the child in to
! him and smile with plea in every
smile that he take an especial interest
| in her offspring.
| suddenly he realized that ii was
! dark, switched on the light, and began
! washing up preparatory to going out
! to dinner
The house was very quiet by now,
all the others having gone forth to
! their many interests Even the smiling
operator had given place to a youth
whose raSping monotone was all that
broke the stiffness. These were the
/ ~ hI,S
life, and, paradoxically, for every other
man in the house these few hours were
the most pleasant of the whole day,
their moments of leisure, alone with
their own.
At last he strobe out, and his limp
was more perceptible than usual.
, Wonder of wonders, the headlights on
his car were on. He had forgotten
them entirely. 1t sure was unCanny
to receive such service. and he must
remember to reward the long, lanky
youth with a tip when he returned.
He reached for the door of the car,
but simultaneously he was almost
blinded by the glare of light that shot
suddenly from within. Too startled
for even thought, he saw the small
foot spring back from the switch, a
soft, white hand touched his an in
slant as it snapped open the door of
the car, and before he knew it dainty
figure in white linen, with a blue cape
thrown jauntily back from one arm,
displaying the insignia Of the cross,
tumbled unceremoniously into his
arms.
Howard" and her smiling, happy
face was very close to his, I've come
back to you, just as I am. l really
didn't mean to appear spectacular, but
/ just couldn't believe l was home un-
til saw you, and as I lacked the cour-
age to run in on you in your office,
just stepped in here and waited, and
thought to goodness you'd never
come"
"But Helen" and In his voice lurked
volume of eagerness, you surely
don't mean you're going to pass up all
the opportunities you must have had
over there and come back here to a
ludl even uOu
formf'
"That's just what / do mean," she
answered very promptly, that is, OF
course, If you still want me-" She
knew In her heart and read it in his
face that he did, so she went on in the
voice of woman who understands all
things. Don't you think l know you
would have been right over with me II
you could. That one thing stood out
so clearly between the lines of every
letter you wrote to me, and, believe
me, dear boy, there wasn't a fellow in
uniform over there who could evei
take your place in my heart"
Every well, colonel" said Doctor
Carroll, raising his arm in true mill
tary salute, 81 am yours to command
The twilight deepened into night, and
well, as every one knows, a sedan cal
with a well-behaved lighting system
Ii one Of the greatest little places II
the world for welcome home reunion