Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-02-10
on OUTY,AS EVER
E.sergeant Merely In Another
Line of Trenches.
IN Fact ons-TIms Commander Thought
Him More Valuable In Civil Lie
Than During the Hot
Days In France.

contributor to London Punch, Joyce
had announced firmly that II / really
loved her would take the pattern
up to town with me and see what
I could do" What she failed to realize
was that, II ventured alone Into the
midst of so intimately feminine 4
world as Bibby & Renns' for the pur'
pose Of matching stuff called PINK
Reorgette, I should become virtually
Incapable of doing anything at all.
The only redeeming feature about
the whole nerve-racking business was
that he found me as soon as he did.
"Good afternoon, sirI" he said IN a
most ingratiating voice. "What can we
have the pleasure Of showing you,
sirf"
He was tall and handsome. with q
perfectly waxed mustache and fault
less frock coat. He bowed before me
with a solicitous curve to his broad
shoulders, and the way he massaged
one hand with the other had a highly
soothing effect.
"Plnk georgette, sir? Certainly, sir !!
To my inexpressibl, relief. he seemed
to consider 1t the most likely In the
world
"Miss Robinson !" he called; "pink
georgette."
] With a polite wave Of the hand, ne
motioned me toward the lady. he how
cred about while i opened the bit OF
tissue paper containing the pattern
and murmured my needs to MISS
Robinson. His very presence gave me
confidence.
When II was all over, he came up
and led me away. AS we emerged into
the stronger light near the door peer.
ed at him closely. Then l touched him
on the arm and beckoned him behind
a couple Of Paris models.
I took hold of his hand and wrung
1t fervently.
"Sergt. Steel" l said, you always
did have the knack Of being in the
right spot at the right moment. have
not set eyes on you since that hot day
in 1915, when you brought up. the
remnants Of IA platoon and pulled me
out of that tight corner at Guillemont.
That was a valuable bit Of work.
sergeant, but nothing to this-simply
nothingl"
The solicitous curve had straighten.
ed out from his broad shoulders. His
hands has ceased their soothing mas
sage. His heels were together. his
arms glued to his sides, his eyes glar.
Ing at fixed point directly over the
top Of my head.
Thought It was you, sir, as soon
as saw you. But Of course wasn't
going to say anything till you did" 1t
was not the ingratiating voice now, but
that rasping half-whisper he always
used for nocturnal conferences In the
front line. "Never heard anything OF
you, sir, since you went down with a
blighty after Guillemont. Beg your
pardon, sir. but you looked q bit windy
as you came In just now. so ! thought
I'd keep in support. Yes, sir, got
my ticket last month-only been back
on my old job fortnight"
tapped the parcel that Miss Robin
sons own fair hands had made up for
me.
"This is a good issue, sergeantT !
asked. Sound, reliable. and all thati"
Couldn't be better. sir. ! had my
eye on her. We only drew 1t ourselves
lately. That's the stuff to give 'em.
80. perfect match.... exquisite
blending Of color. 80. those art shades
are to be very fashionable this season,
I assure you. sir"
Imperceptibly his hands had resumed
their message. the solicitous curve had
returned to his broad shoulders. his
voice was ingratiating again.
1--WE have large range of all dainti-
est materials. believe our charmeuse,
ninons and crepe de chimes to be un.
rivaled. sir. A little damp underfoot
to-day. sir, but warmer-much warm.
er. Yes. sir! Thank you. sir Good day,
sir!"
And Sergt. Steel ID. G. NJ. and four
chevrons) bowed me into the street.