The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1920-03-05
IN THE TWILIGHT
Dy ElIzABETh M'NAUGAT

The early dusk was falling A. Doc
tor Carroll shook his long hank form
from the envel"piny coat aud dropped
into a chair beside his desk. II had
been hard day and he was tired. His
shoulders sagged tri1c and as he
stretched his long legs out in weari
ness the weak member achcd. But yci
far more depressing than any mere
physical WEAKNESS was the dull heavi-
ness that oppressed his spirits II was
not of recent date. either: he had felt
it ever since The first medical unit
had sailed to foreign shores on their
errand of mercy.
Earnestly and hopefully he had
made Application to be accepted, hui
politely, yet firmly, he WAS made To
realize that war was no place for dam
aged goods. This was bad enough of
itself, hut when the idol of his heart
gave him a hurried kiss, an under
standing pat on the shoulder aud set
sail Ia do her hit he knew his cup Of
bitterness was overlooking. Still, one
must 90 on. No use being uuiiter,
pitfalls and the countless demands IT
he Office, there was little time for
hrooding.
Now they wcrc coming back The
city was wild with enthusiasm in wei
coming hack these Slper-lnen and
women who are ever tn he found
where the brulaities OF their fellow
mon wage the fierceSt.
He finally arose and closed the door
none TOO gently and as he sat down
again he felt little ashamed of him
self for not having recognized the OPP
orators friendly little smile. Still, II
VAS all put on, he told himself, it was
her stock in trade Just AS the anxious
mother OF an ailing baby too poor to
pay fee will carry the child in to
him and smile with plea in every
smile that he take an especial interest
in her offspring.
Suddenly he realized that it was
dark. switched on the light, and began
washing mp preparatory to going out
IN dinner.
The house was very quiet by now,
all tho others having gone forth to
their many interests. Even the smiling
operator had given place to n youth
whose rasring monotone WAS all that
broke the stiffness. These were the
lonely hours OF Doctor CAROLS busy
life, and paradoxicaliy for every other
man in the house these few hours were
the most pleasant of the whole day,
their moments Of leisure, alone with
their own.
At last liz strobe out and his limp
was more perceptible than usual.
Wonder Of wonders, the headlights ON
his car We're OIL. He had forgotten
them entirely Ii sure was uncanny
70 receive such service, and he must
remember to reward the long anky
youth with tip when he returned.
He reached for The door OF the car.
but simultaneously he was almost
blinded by the glare Of light that shot
suddenly from within. Too startled
for even thought, he saw the small
foot spring back from the switch. Il
soft, white hand touched his an in
Stanl AS il snapped open the door of
The ear. and before he knew il "A dainty
f2ure in white linen. with Il blue cape
thrown iaunilN back from one arm,
displaying the insignia of The cross
tumh'ed unceremoniousy into his
arms.
Howard, and her smiling. happy
face was very close TO his. 'I've come
back 10 YOU. Just AS | am really
dlfn mean to appear spectacular, bur
| Just couldn't believe | was home IN.
I'll saw YOU, and a. | lacked the cour-
ago Ia run in on YOU In your office, |
lust stepped in here and waited and |
thought to goodness you'd never
come
But Helen, and in his vote" urked
volume of eagerness, you surely
don't moan you're going +" pass up all
the opportunities you must have had
over there and come back here 10 a
fellow thai couldn't even don a uni;
fnrm?'
That's lust what do mean" al.
answered very promptly, that il. Of
course, If YOU SIN want mo" Sha
knew in her heart and read il in his
fa'e that he did. 81 SIT. went ON in the
voice OF woman who understands Nil
things. Don't You think ! know you
would have been RICH, over with me II
YOU could. That one thing stood on:
50 clearly between the lines of every
letter Nou wrote to me and. believe
me dear hoy. there wasn't a fellow in
uniform over there who could evcr
take Your place in my heart
VERY we'll. colonel" said Doctor
Carroll, raising his arm in true mill
tary salute. II AIN yours 10 command
Tho twilight deepened into night. and.
we'll, a. every one knows. sedan car
with Wrll-hehsved lighting system
IS one al The greatest little places in
the world for welcome home reunion.
The Reading Habit.
mere are some persons who are so