Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1920-02-26
Wartime
Speed
@0
BY CATHERINE PARSONS
Copyright. 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)

iASiilAul ldSh Ol palulluS Ally ltOldnuS
portrait. If you had seen Amy you
would have really cnvied him, for
she was truly lovely.
On this particular day Amy left the
studio somewhat later than usual for
the picture was just at an interesting
stage and Gardner could not bear to
stop work till the last bit Of daylight
had vanished. Mrs. Roland, who al
ways came with her daughter, had left
early to keep an appointment and
Amy had promised to meet her at
five.
Gardner had kept her till the last
possible moment and she was hurry
ing toward the front door, when she
ran directly into q young man who
was coming in the opposite direction.
II beg pardon" exclaimed Amy, as
she bounced back in surprise. "Why,
Billy Lane" she added, as she recog-
nized him. "Where in the world did
you come from? haven't laid eyes
on you Tor over two years."
Just got here. Amy. I've been out
in Colorado working hard. But evsn
an obscure farmer has a right to a
vacation now and then, so I'm taking
two weeks this time. Maybe it isn't
good to see you again-you haven't
changed much except to grow up more.
I suppose you'd forgotten all about me,
though"
Amy blushed slightly. but it was too
dark to see.
Il hadn't, really; but of course two
years is a long time. In another one
I might forget whether your hair was
red or brown. It's hard to remember
much when you're kept pretty busy"
Billy laughed ruefully.
Amy held out her hand with q frank
and engaging smile. In another mo-
ment she was gone.
"For heavens sake" cried Gardner,
spying his brother from the floor
above. when did you get here? Well,
maybe it isn't good to see you again,
too! Is this a pleasure trip?"
"Not exactly. The truth of the mat
ter is I'm enlisting in about two weeks
and l wanted to see the old town be.
fore l went over"
Great Scott, you don't say so!
would myself but I'm beyond the draft
age and l nate to leave my work
I'm really needed here. Could they
spare you all right?"
"Well, you see, Pm my boss, SO
inst sold out and came along. !
couldn't stay out of it any longer and
I'd nothing to hold me back, ether
I'm single. too, but l may 0 be
iong-that's one reason why l don't
want to enlist"
"Who is it-Louise?"
Gardner laughed. II should say
not! I've had a dozen since Louise.
It's Amy this time. l haven't told her
yet. but Pm going to marry her."
Two days later Amy went for IN
other sitting for her portrait and again
she found Billy in the hall on her way
home.
Hello, Mr.. Hermit" she scoffed
"You're not wasting time on your old
friends this trip, are you?"
Most of theft seem to be pretty
busy themselves"
well. I'm not for one. and TO prove
1t I'll invite you to go for q walk with
MI o.
"Isn't it lovely out today?" cried
Amy enthusiastically.
"les. but you'd never call his beau.
tiful if you could see it out where
live. Mountains and hills and valleys
everywhere you look. And the sun.
SetS-yOu'd love those sunsets. Amy
They just make the whole world q
blaze of glory and put peace into your
soul. cant explain how it is on,
there--it's too big for that. But I can
tell you it impresSes one. Maybe I'm
daffy on the subject. but it's simply
life out there to me. | feel like our
poet friend who said: Il want t. &C
back. and | will You'd love it GU,
there. Amy"
"Oh. | would love it y. she agreed
and almost surprised herself by hel
own fervor.
"Will you visit me some day then
you and your l%usband?"
"Well he d"Iighted-prOvided have
one by that time"
"In the meantime will you consider
an invitation to dine with me this eve
ning?"
I'm sorry. Billy. but I'm going tC
dinner at the SeatnnS' with Gardner
they asked me ages ago. Rut I've haC
a lovely walk With Won"
$50 have /. too. Good night"
Billy"
What can ! do for ynu?"
, Don't You ever want 10 walk home
, with me again? | have three more sit
tingS."
"Of course want To. But a mar
doesn't do AL the things he wants 10
worse luck. I'll see YOU before long
though. GOOd-hy."
II lhink you're thr limit. nud yDu
make me cross" Haired \ny. and re
fused to notice his prollrrrd hand.
Wher"up0n Billy pondered long or
the vng,,rieS Of women and kept on,
of Any'S way for the mex, two days