The daily Alaskan., 1920-08-24
WlLL-O'- E-WISP
By A. MARIA CRAWFORD

"Your job is waiting for you, my boy" said Telford McGraw, batting the broad shoulder Of a COnvalescent pa tent in St. Luke's hospital.
 Jim looked up, a little smile twisting his wide straight mouth. You've been q great boss, Mir. MCGraw."
 "Tut, tut" said the old man. Ills merry round face was wTeathed in smiles. "Tu be glad when you are well enough to come back to the office. Girls were all right during the war when we couldn't do any better but give me a boy in my place of business, every time. Now that girl who took your position when you had to come out here to the hospital. She's clever little thing, but you know, sometimes l actually forget that I am diCtating because l am so busy watching the llt- tie brown curlS around her face and wishing that had a daughter as pret- ty. Well, here she comes! l didn't tell you, did l, that she asked to come along with me? Pretty little thing, isn't she?"
 He beumed h fatherly fashion on the girl who was walking slowly to- ward them. Here's Jim, getting as fit as a fiddle" he called to her. "Thls is Miss Mary Sue LcaOir, Mir. James Me Cornell, formerly Sergeant Mcconnell with the A. E. F. in France"
 q hope that you will soon be able to come back to the OfIice," she said soberly.
 Jim flashed her a quick look, half curiosity, half unbclief. Sure you're glud?" he smiled.
 "Ycs indeed" she answered. "I would like to get out of the office by April"
 shes oa the level, Jlm," said Me Graw, as he left. she's told me the same thing"
 You're making a pretty nice sal ary for q girl" suggested Jim, after McGraw had gone.
 Don't you like the work"
 She shook her head, turning to look out of a window.
 Jim leaned forward a little, looking at her. Mary Sue seemed sympathetic.
 "I can't hold down a desk job for q long time. maybe never again. I've de veIonrd nerves. I'd rather have lost a leg. or an arm" He leaned back in | ahis wheel chair, closing his eyes, half 1 ashamed ot himself for disclosing his i secret. She said nothing and presently ! Jim opened his eyes. She had taken | oT the sailor hut and was leaning her l head against the ledge. looking away at thr trees. Again Jim felt subtle 1 little thread of sympathy between ! them. "Thc doctor thinks that six months on a farm will fix me up but 1 ] don't know a thing about farming. | You know what farmers expect of | hired help. bruwn and muscle. And ! I'll have to do Sumcthing-to live"
 Mary Sue got up, smiling a warm, ] friendly litun smile at him. "Thcre are some peer trees in nluom down the path. I'm 2..n@ to wheel you there and we'll plan something together" Once under the trees. Mary Snr sat down on the gray~ at his feet. "JsA't ir lovely ! rcrcE" she crtnd Look. There's q 1 white throat huildiug her nest in the ] crotch of that tree, with the white 1 bloom ail over it. like a Towering vine on tiny cottage. love the country, the birds and rhr flowers. the green fields. with daisies and huttercupS Youu love it, too. when you go."
 Jim smiled. Not much." he said. l "Dark, old muddy roads, have tO car ry an oily, smelly lantern. I'm through | with the dark and cundlcS-had enough of it in PtrurIy and Flanders. i Rats, too, They're always in barns"
 Not our barn, I've a lovely plan for you. Its-tt'S just futc," she lifted her eager drcam-HIlcd gray eyes and 1 Jim admitted thar she was pretty. "I ! live with my Aunt Fanny and my ! Uncle SiIaS Lruolr. Noull like him. | Hes fine. He wrote tO me only today that they need a young man on the | farm this summer and they want me i to find somebody for them before l go l back. Uncle Si said thNt he wanted somebody who was good at figures, who could help him carry out some plans 10 improve Jhc stock. 10 make the farm pay maximum amount. You see. you're 1t! And Aunt Funne's cooking. It's too good to talk about. You'll get fat, SerEcant-"
 "Oh, say Jiu," he pleaded, the sha- dow on hls young face lifting for the first time.
 ] She clapped her hands and, as If in fairy-llke answer, a little furry of snowy pear blossoms slfted down on her head and shoulders.
 "Willo'lhe-wIsp-o'-Spring!" he whls- pcrcd. "It sounds great the farm, Aunt Fannie, Uncle Si--Ond you-but you'd get tired of your job. I can't let you fool yourself-and me"
 Mary Sue moved very close to him, and her hand found his hand and held 1t. in warm sympathetic companion ship, there on the wheel chair. Were