The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-08-30
The Call of Home
BY GENEVIEVE ULMAR

awards or destiny.
II love the old town, my neighbors
are like brothers and sisters, the place
live In Is cheap as to rent and very
dear to my soul on account of old
memories make a llving-what more
does man wantW
"The old place-yes, it's the Dab
ney home, isn't 1t? Strange about
that family" spoke the man who was
listening to Moxley's statement "They
were three fine girls. What became
of them and how is 1t that you came
20 inherit the placer
"Oh, l haven't inherited It," said
Darius. "After the family moved II
was put up for sale, but nobody want
cd it. Then it was offered for lease
1t just suited mother and myself 50
we've been tenants ever since. The
agent tells me he sends the rent to
the elder of the ladies', Miss Flora, Aft
er they settled in the city Annette
died, Vera got marrled-did very well,
too, hear, and ! think Flora has
been living with her."
Darius sighed and u dreamy far
away look came into his eyes. There
was a reason he did not disclose as
to his fondness for the old Dabney
home. At twenty he had settled his
mind down to the fact that the only
girl in Wellston worth admring was
Flora Dabney. He had never courted
her in the real sense of the word for
she and her sisters were rather ex-
elusive, but they all liked the neigh
borly, unassuming ways of Darius, par
tlcularly Flora, and only because An
nette and Vera her sisters had fired
the ardent soul of Flora with mighty
ambitions, was the latter deferred from
encouraging this adorer, mute as to
words of love, but betraying a silent
devotion that was sincere tribute
from a worthy young man.
Darius suffered secretly when Flora
told of taking up their lives amid new
scenes, and she realized this and sor-
rowed for his sake. She could not trust
herself to a last meeting alone with
Darius, and after she bade a final
good-by to Wellston she sat back in
her seat in the train crying softly over
the abandonment of q love so pure,
simple and steadfast that she recog-
nized that she was making cruel sac
rilice.
"I1l be content" he decided. "She
was sweet girl, she liked me some
I ,la IN
humble to ever meet her ideals, though,
so I'll stick to mother and the old
town."
1t was like going into temple that
was sacred and revered, when Darius
rented the old Dabney home. There
was a particular flower bed that had
always had the exclusive care of Flora,
and this Darius tended and nurtured
with tender memories.
Constantly he would close his eyes
and would fancy Flora coming down
the stairs in all her airy grace and
beauty.
Darius was manager of large farm
near the village in the ploughing and
harvesting seasons. For the rest Of
the time daily he drove an old-fash-
ioned carryall down to the trains
morning and evening, to receive and
deliver light express shipments and
passengers. His horse was slow and
old, the vehicle had grown rickety and
sagging, and an enterprising innovator
had put into service an automobile for
the same line of service. His charges
were high, however, and the old-fash-
toned element in the village adhered
to their faithful townsman.
One evening just at dusk Darius
drove to the depot to meet the six
o'clock city train. A yelled lady alight
ed. She set her suitcase at her feet
and shook her head negatively as the
driver of the automobile bus solicited
her as a fare Darius noted that she
glanced all about until her eye rested
on his old carryall. Almost eagerly,
he fancled, she advanced to 1t. She
seemed flustered, pleased, embarrassed,
all at once. She placed a caressing
hand on the head Of old DObbln and
pneFc Seellleu 10 D6 CdlNn III HeI
voice as she half whispered his name.
Darius was surprised and puzzled.
"You seem to know my horse" he
submitted.
Eyes, years agone," came the reply
in a subdued tone. "Has Wcllston got
hotel YETI"
mo, maam," answered Darius.
81 wish to find board and lodging
for week." spoke the yelled lady.
"Nly mother accommodates tran
sIents once in a while" said Darius.
"Oh. yes, yes" replied his passenger
eagerly. 'Please take me there. And,
first drive all about the town, will
you? l want to see what it looks like
after some years OF absence. Darius,
don't you know me?"
She had thrown back her veil and
Darius was spellbound. 1t was Flora
Dabney. She looked more sedate than
of yore, and sad and wearied. There
were tears in eyes and voice. She got
into the carryall by his side, and as
in a dream the slow conveyance went
all about the village as in a vision. In
deed, Darius listened TO the story Of
his early love, world tired and dis
appointed in ideals that were delusiOns,
coming back like a straying bird to