Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-03-26
the girls wouldn't be friends at al,

crazy about yOu; every n of them,
and they made up to me after that
and told me their secrets and shared
their lunch and we had great times.
And it was all because you gave me
the rose that day. The rose itself
was lovely and I was tremendously
happy over it for it's own sake, but 1t
meant a whole lot to me besides, and
opened the little world fof school to
my longing feet. always wanted to
thank you for it, but you looked as
if you didn't want me to. SOL never
dared; and lately I wasn't quite sure
you, knew me. because YOU. never
looked my way any more. :
But when saw you standing on
the platform the other day With the
other drafted men, it all cameGaSer
me how you We're giving up the life
YOU had planned to go out and fight
for, me and other girls like me- !
hadn't thought Of the warNthat way
before. although, of course Il had
heard that thought expressed in
speeches; but it never struck into my
heart until I saw the look On your
face. 1t was a kind of "knightliness,' =
thought about 1t I realized it was the
Very same look you, had worn when
you burst through the hedge after
Chuck Woodcock, and again when
you came back and threw that rose
on my desk. Although, you shad a
big, broad boy's-grin. on your face
then, and were Chewing gum L re-
member quite distinctly; and the 9TH
er day"you lookedS.. soF serious and
sorry as if it meant a great deal to
you to go, but you were giving up
ieverything gladly without even
thinking Of h%esitating. The look on
. your face was a mans look, not a
boys. i.
+ It has meant so much to me to
realize this last great thing that you
are doing for me and for the other
girls of our country that I had to
write and tell you how much I APP
preciate it.
I have been wondering whether
some n has been knitting you a
sweater yet, and the other. things
that they knit for soldiers: and if
they haven't, whether you would let
thing 1 can do for you who have
done SO much for mn
I hopeoyou will not think l am pre-
Stunning. to have written this on the
strength of a childish hacquaintanq.
I wish you all honors that can come
to you on such a quest as yours, and
l had almost said all good luck, only
that that word sounds too frivolous
and pagan for such a serious mat
,ter; SO I will say all safety for a
swift accomplishment of your task
and a swift h~omecomingl used to
think when was a little child that
rothing could ever hurt you or make
you afraid, and I cannot help feel
ing now that you will come through
the fire unscathed: May I hope to
hear from you about the sweater and
things? And may I sign myself.
Your friend?
Ruth Macdonald.
John Cameron lifted his eyes from
the paper at last and looked UP at
the sky. Had it ever been So blue
before? At the trees. What
Whispering wonders of living green.
Was that only a bird that was sing
lark. not an Angel? Why had he
never appreciated. meadow larks be-
fore? n %S
He rested his head back against d
oak and his soldiers hat fell on
on the ground. He closed his eyes
and the burden OF loneliness that
had borne downgsupOn him all these
weeks In the campss1tfted frem his
heart. Then he trjedsto realize what
had come to- him Rlths Macdonald,
the wonder and admiration his
childhood days. the admiredsAnd en-
Wed OF the home town. tug petted
the girl who had everything that
wealth could purchasea She hadSr
membered the little old rose he had
dared to throw on her deak, andSha0
sbridged$t the. years with his letter. y
He was carried back III spirit to