Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-05-02
WON BY MAIL
= BY HoRTENSE CALDWELL.
Copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)

Three days after Marion Holt re-
turned home from the seashore. she
received a letter written in an unfamil-
inr hand.
Now who do you suppose this is
from?" she inquired, as she waved the
letter in front Of her mothers eyes.
Il presume the best way to find out
is to open it," her mother replied smil-
ing.
Marion opened it eagerly and gave
the contents hurried glance. Listen
to this, mother" she said as she I'M
folded the entire sheet.
My Dear Miss Holt am anxious
~ hoping YOU will not feel offended at
my writing to you in this manner. but
as ] expected you were to stay at Sea
Crest the remainder of the summer, 7
was counting on having an introduc-
ton to you sooner or later. When I
heard that you had gone back to the
city yesterday I saw how slow I had
been in not abiding by that old prov
crib. don't put off until tomorrow what
You can do today" I am at Sen Crest
recuperating from severe illness,
and If you would spare me few min
utcS Of your most valuable time,
should he more than delighted to hear
from you.
Sincerely,
"'TED NORTON
"Oh, mother, isn't that nice let
ter?" Marion exclaimed as she laid
it down on the table.
"Why, yes, it's nice enough, hut you
shouldn't write to stranger like
that" objected her mother.
''But the poor fellow has been sick,
and I'm only going to cheer him up.
shall probably never see him anyway"
Marion argued.
After more debating, Marion finally
won her side Of the question and sat
down to write him little note.
II won't he able to write so often
now" he wrote. "but I shall be wait
ing for mail from Marion Holt al
ways"
The weeks flew by, bringing Christ
mas and all its joys. Marion observed
IT by sending Ted her photograph, and
within three weeks time had his in
return.
One day letter came telling Ma
rion he had been granted furlough.
or course, she lived on excitement I'M
til the time came when she should see
her adopted soldier" But fate had
doomed her to disappointment once
more. as on the morning of his ap-
pointed arrival telegram came to the
house. "Furlough cancelled. Write
later" 1t read. Marion tried her best
to hide her disappointment, but her
mother could read it in her face.
"Never mind. Marion,' she said,
comfortingly, hell be home for good
soon, we hope"
"That doesn't do any good now-th!s
very day." Marion said despniringly.
In order to bear it better she sat
down and wrote Ted a long letter. tell
ing him how disappointed she had been
when that telegram had come. She
wrote on and on, writing things she
never would have dreamed of saying
had he been sitting beside her. AT the
end she related some funny experience
she had had since the last letter. and
then ended with the hope of seeing
him soon.
Seven months more slipped by with
out so much as glimpse of Ted Nor
ton, and then one day the whole cOun-
try was in an uprOar of JOY. Agree
able terms had been found and HOSTILE
ties had ceased in the war-stricken
land. The camps ut home had begun
ito demobilize and soldiers and sailors
had already begun to start on their
way homeward.
The morning Of the last day Of the
last month of the year dawned bright
and sunny. The telephone rang jerk
lily and Marion ran to answer 1t before
her mother could reach 1t before her.
Hello, Miss Holt-Mafion," voice
said In musical tone.
Hello, who Is this speaking,
please" Marion answered back.
This is your very grateful friend,
one who is too grateful to tell you over
the telephone. May I call this eve
ning?"
Certainly" she replied; I'm so glad
to hear from YOU"
After few words he shut off and
Marion lost no time in telling her
mother the joyful news. The anticipa-
ton had been very pleasant. but now
the time had come when she was real
~ to meet him. His voice sounded
like flute, mother" she added when
she finished her story.
d. Her mother smiled. Oh, the Joy Of
youth, the ever-softening spirit Of
youth! She thought of how she had
met Marion's father years ago, and
how her head was just as care-free
then az was her daughters now.
Promptly Mt eight o'clock the bell
rang, and rather excited Marion went
to answer the call. What she saw