The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-01-28
TRUE BLUE
BY ANNA M. GORDON.

Somewhere in the prOsaic little town
Of IrOntOn, there lived likely lad by
the name Of David Glen, TO be exact.
David never had been a handsome boy,
and two years Of trench life had added
no new beauty to his appearance. His
deep gray eyes were still weak and
watery from the binding effects of
gas; there had grown slight stoop
in his thin shoulders; and patches Of
iron gray hair had mingled with the
black along his temples. Not one per-
son In a hundred would throw more
than a casual glance in his direction
on passing him In the street. Blue
eyed Hazel did, though, and now Da-
vid doesn't want anyone else to, that
Is, not In the same way.
Back in the DAYS Of the world war
not handful OF people had ever given
David Glen a thought. On his return
from France he found that his repu
tation, running ahead of him, had paw
ed royal road for his feet to travel
as he marched into Ironton. Build
ings were decorated with banners;
speeches were being made and crowds
Of people thronged the streets.
In the midst Of 1t all, David was
homesick and lonesome, until slen-
der girl, stopping by his side as he
rested from the march, rewarded him
with her praises and with the light
of her eyes for all the hardships
through which he had passed.
That is why David Glen sat every
IL IN
piazza-by Hazers express command,
and invitation. Under ordinary cir
cumstances they might never have met,
for Hazel was as rich as David was
poor. This fact caused Aunt Caroline,
Hazel'S guardian, many sleepless
nights, and as yet she had arrived at
no definite conclusion regarding how
| to dispose of David.
For that matter, David's concerns
as much as they were bothering Aunt
Caroline. Totally Oblivious Of any
thing or anybody save himself and
Hazel he discussed them. Two hours
| they had sat on the wide front piazza
| OF the red brick house talking over
plans, and the topic was still fresh.
The afternoon sun had slipped
| away; dusk had fallen; a solitary
woman coming into the house by the
side. entrance, and passing through the
| hail. had paused by the screened pi-
azza door unnoticed. Still the young
| people continued to discuss plans for
| the future.
81 can understand, Hazel, just how
you feel" said David You want to
| hire this new house beside Aunt Caro-
| lines and furnish 1t we'll, because
Aunt Caroline has a big house"
At the words Aunt Caroline" the
quiet woman inside the doorway gave
a slight start A puzzled smile
wreathed her mouth as she listened.
Then, deliberately standing farther
back in the shadows, she cupped her
hand over her left ear that she might
| hear a little palmer.
"Now, I say" continued David (;
let's start honest. Let's live our own
| lives where I can afford to. You know
| l lost what few clients I had when
went to war"
1 The quiet woman I'm the doorway
leaned breathlessly forward awaiting
the reply 1t came at last, slowly, but
yielding.
1 81 know you're right, David, but
Aunt Caroline has been like mother
to me, and the new house Is a dream
4 Try as hard as she could, not an
other coherent sound could the listen.
ing woman hear. AS for the incoher-
ent ones-they were not meant fol
her.
$50 they plan to leave me-" she
sputtered, all indectsion about David
> flown. '"They plan to leave me al
alone in this big house-no honest man
to advise me about my property-nC
little girl to help me FIX my clothes de
cently-those two, out there-the only
man I've ever heard talk hOnest-anG
the little girl I've brought up from 9
baby. Not much! Not If l know it !"
Back through the hall Aunt Caroline
FASTENED. Opening the door with {
= bang she confronted the guilty mis-
creants.
t "You come In here with me, botl
, Of you" choked she. wen soon make
2 some Roadway about your affairs"
Blinking painfully at the bright light
David and Hazel meekly followed az
: ter the irate little woman along tn,
;. hall to the living room. There, stand
ing hand in hand by the round centel
= table, they surveyed her with question
, ing eyes.
2 Now children" she calculated, ges
: tfculating with both hands. I'm al
$ old woman, and one who must hav,
r her own way. Don't interrupt me I'm
8 til I finish. That new house on thu
4 right has come into my possession, anC
I intend, just as soon as 1 can, to max,
it over to you for your wedding pres
emit"
{ 1--WE thank you but we can't affort
S TO live" began David.
s "Wait until / finish" commando
s Aunt Caroline. "TU give you thi