Manchester Democrat., 1919-01-22
A GOOD IMPULSE
BY MILDRED WHITE.
(Copyright, 1918, by the MCCLURE NeWspa-
per Syndicate.)

Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
"What change, Edna, in two short
years! Life then was one round OF
pleasure" "Oh, cheer up, Alice Clay
ton. Busy yourself with what's going
on today and you'll find enough to do.
Here am puzzling myself to find a
way to pay car fares, room rent buy
lunches and now War Savings stamp
each month, and all on salary Of $40
a week."
The Claytons at one time had been
among the wealthiest families in Sea-
Vile, Of late fate had dealt harshly
with them; mother and father had
been victims of an auto accident and a
sudden change in the stock market had
left them with little more than the old
| homestead.
II have it, Alice!" exclaimed Edna
after few thoughtful moments. "All
| that old jewelry we have in the bottom
Of our trunk will take to the melting
pot tomorrow. Guess will at least
get one War Savings stamp for all we
have stored away, and that will be my
stamp for June. Come along now and
help me get it out. Oh, there's my little
silver watch, nearly ten years old.
doubt if I used 1t dozen times. How
proud was the night first wore it. y
Lunch hour next day was devoted to
disposing of her treasures, and evening
found her overjoyed with the results
"Oh, sis |" cried Edna; "just look-two
War Savings stamps! Isn't that great
Tn so happy I don't know what to do
"Yes, Edna, it's fine," said Alice
"you're always so fortunate in all your
undertakings"
"The little watch gave to the Red
Cross" continued Edna excitedly, "as
they said it was too good for the melt
ing pot"
An eventful month followed, and
then came Edna's big vacation. "A fine
chance to mend your old clothes," ad'
vised Alice as she was leaving for work
Monday morning.
'sYes," said Edna as she curled her
self up on the couch, buried in one Of
the latest novels.
Monday morning Fred Morse hat
been discharged from st. vincent'i
hospital, and expected to sail for New
York the following day. Two lont
weeks, the longest he had known II
his whole life, had been spent In thii
hospital, the result Of having been in
jured doing his bit. Together will
four others, he had been chosen tt
give q course Of lectures at Camp Up
land, and the next day they were te
start for the q. s. A.
I'm completely lost without my
wrist WATCH" said Fred to his nurse
Miss Synd.
perhaps can get you one; It wal
only last night the president Of oul
Red Cross branch announced the re
ceipt of some watches, and II there arr
any left will get one for you"
''There," said Miss Synd as she pre-
sented Fred with watch that after
noon. her great brown eyes sparkling
with Joy, 'the only one left" Ere,
thanked her sincerely and, opening tn
case, small piece Of paper droppet
out, on which was written: "Con
tributed by Edna M. Clayton, Seaville
Mass" Was he still unconscious, o.
wAs it really true? Yes. 1t surely wa
so, for there on the cover was the "a
! miliar monogram, "E. NJ. G."
For some time he sat dreaming. Il
fancy she was with him once again
He could hear her gayly chatting o
humming song as they padded 81
river in his favorite canoe. And Edns
pink-cheeked and eyes Of azure blue
with her fair golden curls blowing II
the gentle summer breeze, resting 81
comfortably among the cushions.
"Well," thought Fred. my dear oil
sweetheart, I'll give you the surpris
Of your life when I land in New York.
The persistent ringing of the door
bell reused Edna from her reading
What! A letter from Fred Morse post
marked New York! Could 1t be posi-
BILE? Quickly tearing open the en-
velope she, read Of his receiving tn
wrist watch and the slip Of paper in
side. "Will be home by Wednesday
Could we plan for canoe ride Thurs
day evening? I will phone 70,
Wednesday night"
Edna could hardly realize that Ere,
was really coming to see her again, a
she had thought he had long since for
gotten her. Anxiously she waited TO
the phone call, and with still create
anxiety for Thursday evening to come
The great, beautiful moon cast it
silvery light upon the old familia
river as Fred and Edna slowly paddle,
to their favorite "cozy corner" Shel
tered by overhanging branches, Ere,
settled himself down beside Edna
Gently drawing her head to his shoul
der, he whispered, "Will you be m.
own sweetheart forever, Edna2 I will
be here for month, and how happy
would be to know that you were reall.
mine before I return to camp. Sa.
yes, dear, and don't keep me in sus
pense." Edna family murmured tn
desired EYES," and as Fred brushe,