Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1920-12-15
ILL-O-THE-W ISP
BY A. MARIA CRAWFORD

your job is waiting for you. my
boy, said Telford McGraw, patting the
broad shoulder of a convalescent pa
tient in St Luke's hospital.
Jim looked up, little smile twisting
his 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. I'll 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 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,
j actually forget that l am debating
because am so busy watching the lit
tie brown curls around her face and
wishing that had daughter as pref
ty. Well, here she comes I didn't
tell you, did l, that she asked to come
along with me? Pretty little thing.
isn't she?"
He beamed IN fatherly fashion on
the girl who was walking slowly to-
ward them. Here's Jim, getting as fit
as fiddle" he called to her This is
Miss Mary Sue Leaoir, Mr.. James Nc
Connell, formerly Sergeant Mcconnell
with the A. E. F. in France"
az homo tbot rro,, will eoor ho obin
to come back to the Office" she said
soberly.
Jim flashed her a quick look, half
curiosity, half unbelief "Sure you're
! glad?' he smiled.
Yes indeed" she answered. 81
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
airy for girl" suggested Jim, after
McGraw had gone.
Don't you like the work."
She shook her head, turning to look
out of window.
Jim leaned forward little, looking
at her. Mary Sue seemed sympathetic.
81 can't hold down desk job for a
long time. maybe never again. I've de-
veloped nerves. I'd rather have lost
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 subtle
little thread of sympathy between
them. 1.-THE doctor thinks that six
months on farm will fix me up but
don't know thing about farming.
You know what farmers expect Of
hired help, Drawn and muscle! And
I'll have to do something-to live"
Mary Sue got up, smiling warm.
friendly little smile at him. There are
some pear trees in bloom down the
path. I'm going to wheel you there and
we'll plan something together" Once
under the trees, Mary Sue sat down
on the grass at his feet. isn't it lovely
here?" she cried. Look 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 tiny cottage. I love the country.
| the birds and the flowers, the green
! fields, with daisies and buttercups.
You'll love 1t, too, when you CO."
Jim smiled. Not much" he said.
"Dark. old muddy roads, have to car
ry an oily, smelly lantern. I'm through
| with the dark and candles-had
enough of it in Picardy and Flanders.
Rats, too! They're always in barns"
mot our barn! I've a lovely plan
for you. lists just fate" she lifted
! her eager, dream-filled gray eyes and
Jim admitted that she was pretty. 81
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 go
| back. Uncle 81 said that he wanted
somebody who was good at figures,
who could help him carry out some
plans to improve the stock, to make
the farm pay maximum amount. You
sec, you're It'll And Aunt Fannie's
cooking! 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 If
in fairy-like answer, little furry of
snowy pear blossoms sifted down on
her head and shoulders.
"Will- 1.-The wisp-o'spring !" he whis-
pered. sit sounds great. the farm,
Aunt Fannie Uncle Stand you-but
you'd get tired of your job. l 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. Were
| NOT dreamers nor. faddists in the coun-