The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-07-15
WILL,O'-T
BY A. MARIA CRAWFORD

e. 1870. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicsts.l
"Your job is waiting for, you. my
boy sold Telford MEG patting the
broad shoulder Of convaiescent pa
dent In St Luke's hospital.
Jim looked up. little smile twisting
his wide straight mouth. you've been
q great boss Mr.. McGraw."
I 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
ont here to the hospital. She's a clever
little thing. but, you know, sometimes.
/ actually forget that / am dicta.tng
because am so busy watching the lit
tie brown curls around her face and
wishing that had a daughter as pret-
IT,. Well. here she comesl didn't
tell you, ,edid l.. that she: asked to come
along with me? Pretty little thing.
isn't she7"
:. he beamed n fatherly fashion on
the girl who was walking slowly to-
ward them. Here's Jim, getting as ft
as a fiddle" he called to her. "This is
Miss Mary Sue Lenoif, Mr.. James Nc
Connell. formerly Sergeant Mcconnell
with the A, q. F. in France"
'T hope, that you win soon be; able
30 come back to the ONCE" she said
soberly.
Jim flashed her a quick look, half
curiosity. half unbelief. "Sure you're
glad7r he smiled.
"Yes indeed" she answered. II
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"
ary. for a girl" suggested Jim. after
IcGraw had gone.
Don't you like the work?"
. She shook her head, turning to look
out Of a window.
Jim leaned forward . little, looking
at her. Mary Sue seemed sympathetic.
II can't hold down desk job for a
long time. maybe never again. I've de-
veloped nerves. I'd rather have lost
q 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
on 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 a thing about farming.
You know what farmers expect Of
hired help, Drawn and musclei And
I'll have to do something-to live"
Mary Sue got up. smiling n warm.
friendly little smile at him. There are
some pear trees In bloom down the
path. I'm going to, wheel you there and
wen plan something together" Once
under the trees, Mary Sue, sat down
on the grass at his feet. isn't It lovely
here2" she cried. Look There's
white throat building her nest in the
crotch of that tree. with the white
bloom all over it, like a Towering vine
on tiny cottage. -Ilove the country.
the birds and the flowers, the green
fields. with daisies and buttercups.
You'll love 1t, too. when you CO."
Jim smiled. mot much" he said.
Ozark. old muddy roads, have to car
~ an oily, smelly lantern. I'm through
with the dark and candles-had
enough of 1t In Picardy and Flanders.
Rats. tool They're always In barns"
'Not our barn! i've lovely plan
for you. lists just fate" she. lifted
her eager, dream-flled gray eyes and
Jim admitted that she was pretty. ~
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
see. you're It! 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
3rst time.
She clapped her hands and, as If
n fairy-Iike answer. a little furry Of
saowy pear blossoms sifted down on
ser head and shoulders.
'Win-o' '-the-wlsp-o'-spring" he whis-
pered. at sounds great. the farm,
Aunt Fannie. Uncle Stand you-but
you'd get tired of your Job. can't let
7ou fool yourself-and me-"
Mary Sue moved very close to him.
and her hand found his hand and held
il. in warm sympathetic compa7ion-