The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-11-15

5y BERNICE CONE


Mazda Lane. teacher at Primary No.
.. shrugged into her yellow sweater
and went out locking the door Of the
empty school house after her. She had
always loved yellow. 1t was, she said,
the color of spring sunshine and daffo-
dis. Unfortunately it was also the col
or Of a slip of paper that rustled hate
fully in the sweater pocket as she
walked-a telegram from Phil Drew.
Z Due in New York Monday. 10 a. m.
Bride with me-" it announced cheer
fully.
Bride with me-" had resolved itself
, into maddening refrain. Everything
that she did kept time to it.
The road from the scboolhouse to her
. home was an unfrequented one. A
little way down it stood a great red
oak tree Bob was waiting there as
usual. Quite suddenly Mazda threw
her arms around his neck and sur
prised herself by sobbing her heart out
against his tan coat. 'Woofw said
the collie huskily; "NVoof"
''The worst Of it is, Bob" said the
girl. sitting up at length, 81 haven't
the right to feel this way, even. Just
because you've gone with a fellow all
through high school doesn't make you
engaged to him. And if he enlists and
goes across the water, and you knit
for him, and pray for him, and write
to him. and he writes to you, and you
send him candy and cigarettes and
things and he sends you souvenirs,
and-and-why, YOU haven't any call
to resent it if he gets married. have
you? And there's no reason at all why
you should get bitter over it."
And. Bob" continued the dogs mis-
tress earnestly, eff you've SO far for
gotten your human nature as to be too
frankly happy when the letters came
and too openly puffed up over the SOU
yenirs why then. you must expect
BroOkville to smile a little and pry a
lutte, and pity you some when you
receive a telegram like this,
$50 wen be aWfully nice to Mr.. and
Mrs. Philip Drew. but not too nice or
Brookville win know how we feel-and
that's one thing, Bob: Broolville may
guess that we feel badly. but it's never
going to know absolutely certain, sure
Come on, boy; let's be happy! Race
your
With a brave little attempt at laugh
ter from Mazda and a joyous bark from
Bob they were off.
On Monday afternoon. as the teacher
Of No. ; again reached for her yellow
sweater, a shadow fell across the
schOolhouse floor. She looked up
quickly. Phil Drew's six feet fTad. the
door frame. The sunlight back of him
gave to his figure the illusion of a
statue done in bronze. Maida's heart
began to beat a glad welcome that was
as quickly drowned in the refrain
bride with me-"
She held out her hand formally
Phil Drew" she exclaimed, with a
smile and what she considered the
proper amount Of polite interest. TIN
so glad to see you back again"
The bronze statue blinked in amazed
chagrin. Didn't you get my telegram?"
It demanded.
"Of course. It was so thoughtful
Of you to let me know just when you
were coming. I want to congratulate
you" she continued sweetIy. 'It will
give me a great deal Of pleasure to
meet Mrs. Drew"
"Huh?" inquired the bronze one too
dazed for elegance of speech
I'm looking forward to meeting Mrs.
Drew" Mazda repeated, slightly puz-
zled in her turn. "Your-your telegram
said"
'"That we were due at ten" inter
rupted Phil. 81 hoped you'd meet me-"
"Why-" she faltered Il didn't
think you would want me to-"
Phil frowned. "Look here, Mazda"
h protested, "I don't know what you're
driving at, but you don't seem over
joyed to see me, that's sure. If there's
someone else, why don't you say so,
and not"
NJ. SdLu AIdlud Win lHe Tragic
finality Of eighteen. "there will never
be anyone else for me-
Lieutenant Philip Drew seized hun
grily upon this assurance, and would
have seized hungrily upon Mazda. but
that lady Indignantly pushed him
away. Her eyes bazed angriIy, but
there was a hint of tears in her voice
'I think you're the funny one" she
said. thrusting the telegram into his
hands, "to send me this. and then come
here and pretend"
"Ha. ha! !" v0ciferated Lieutenant
Phil, when he read the message. THAT'S
rich-'Bride with. Say. grille, did
you honestly think-why that's Tom
Pride-you know wrote. you about
him, my buddy-he's over at the house
now; came home with me-best fellow
that ever lived. Just a little mistake
In capital. that's all. Bride with
no, sweetheart. had TO come home to
get one of those "