Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-12-28
WILL-O'-THE-WISP
BY 4. MARIA CRAWFORD


HSsssssessssesssessssesseeesessseesea8
&C. 1890. By Mcclure Newspaper syndieats)
sYour Job Is waiting for you. my
boy" said Telford McGraw, patting the
broad shoulder Of convalescent pa
dent In St. Luke's hospital.
Jim looked up. q little smile twisting
bis wide straight mouth. you've been
Q great boss. Mr.. McGraw."
~Tut tut said the old man. His
merry round face was wreathed In
smiles. .'rll be glad when you are well
enough to come back to the Office.
Girls were all right duridg the war
when we couldn't do any better but
give me 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,
I actually forget that / am debating
because am 80 busy watching the lit
tie brown curls around her face and
wishing that I had daughter as pref
ty. Well. here she comesl didn't
tell you, did l. that she asked to come
along with met Pretty little thing,
isn't she2"
He beamed n fatherly fashion on
the girl who was walking slowly to-
ward them. Here's Jim, getting as 1t,
as a fiddle" he called to her. "This is
Miss Mary Sue Lenoir. Mr.. James NC
Connell. formerly Sergeant Mcconnell
with the A. e. F. in France"
~ hope that you will soon be able
to come back to the Office" she said
soberly.
Jim flashed her a quick look. half
curiosity. half unbelief. "Sure you're
gladT he smiled.
"Yes indeed" she answered II
would like to get out Of the Office by
April"
"She's On the level. JIM" said Nc
Graw, as he left "She's told me the
same thing"
you're making a pretty nice sal
ary for a GIRL" suggested Jim, after
McGraw had gone.
Don't you like the workT
She shook her head. turning to look
out of window.
Jim leaned forward q little. looking
at her. Mary Sue seemed sympathetic.
VI can't hold down a desk Job for q
long time, maybe never again. I've de-
veloped nerves. I'd rather have lost
a leg, or an arm" he leaned back In
his wheel chair. closing his eyes, half
ashamed Of himself for disclosing his
secret. She said nothing and presently
Jim opened his eyes. She had taken
off the sailor hat and was leaning her
head against the ledge, looking away
at the trees. Again Jim felt q subtle
little thread Of sympathy between
them. "The doctor thinks that SIX
months on a farm will AZ me up but
I don't know q thing about farming.
You know what farmers expect OF
hired help. Drawn and musclei And
I'll have to do something-to live"
Mary Sue got up. smiling a warm.
friendly little smile at him. There are
some pear trees In bloom down the
path. I'm going to wheel you there and
well plan something together" Once
under the trees, Mary Sue sat down
on the grass at his feet. "Isa't 1t lovely
here" she cried. Looki There's a
white throat building her nest In the
crotch Of that tree, with the white
bloom all over It, like Towering vine
on a tiny cottage. love the country.
the birds and the flowers, the green
fields, with daisies and buttercups.
You'll love It, too. when you 60"
Jim smiled. mot much" he said.
sDark, old muddy roads, have to car
~ an oily, smelly lantern. I'm through
with the dark and candles-had
enough of 1t in Picardy and Flanders.
Rats, tool They're always in barns"
"Not our barnl I've a lovely plan
for you. lists just fate" she lifted
her eager, dream-1lled gray eyes and
Jim admitted that she was pretty. u
live with my Aunt Fanny and my
Uncle Silas Lenoir. You'll like him.
He's fine. He wrote to me only today
that they need young man on the
farm this summer and they want me
to find somebody for them before 90
back. Uncle 81 said that he wanted
somebody who was good ut figures,
who could help him carry out some
plans to improve the stock. to make
the farm pay maximum amount You
see, you're It! And Aunt Fannie's
cookingI It's too good to talk about.
You'll get fat, Sergeant"
"Oh, say Jim," he pleaded, the sha-
dow on his young face lifting for the
first time.
She clapped her hands and. as II
IN fairy-like answer, a little furry Of
Snowy pear blossoms sifted down on
her head and shoulders.
"Will-o' .the-wisp-o'-spring! he whis-
pered. "It sounds great, the farm,
Aunt Fannie, Uncle Si-and 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
It, in warm sympathetic companion
ship, there on the wheel chair. SWe're
not dreamers nor faddists In the coun-
try" she told him. "We're simple foM
and we feel personal responsibility In
our neighbors welfare. The folks In
cities live next door to each other for
years and never speak. We couldn't
do that. In months time In the cou1-
try, you won't be conscious Of a nerve
in your body. o Jim," she said softly.
Sthere's peace and happiness and God
In the still places. You'll come? What
shall write Uncle 81 tonight about
your
The boy leaned forward. feeling
again the old urge Of life. renewed
dreams, hopes, the longings common to
man. "TeH Uncle ST." he said eagerly.
"that ri follow wherever you beckon.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
The Circus
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