The Crittenden press., 1920-07-27
WILl.0'.THE.WlSP
0y A. MARIA CRAWFORD

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
t@ 1859, BY Mcclure Ns~spapsr syndisatsl
"Your job 10 waiting for you, my
boy" said Telford McGraw. pstting the
broad shoulder Of 4 cOnvalescent pa
tent In st. Luke's hospital.
Jim looked up. q little smile twisting
bis 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 10 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. hut you know. sometimes,
] actually forget that ] am debating
because am so busy watching the lit
tie brown curls around her face and
wishing that had a daughter as pret-
ty. Well here she comes didn't
tell you, did |. that she asked to come
along with mef Pretty little thing,
isn't shef"
He beamed in fatheriy fashion on
the girl who was walking slowly to-
ward them. Here's Jim. getting as tl
as fiddle" he called to her. This h
Miss Mary Sue Leaoir, Mr.. James Nc
Connell, formerly Sergeant Mcconnell
with the A. F.. F. In France"
81 hope that you will soon be able
to come back TO the office" she said
soberly.
Jim flashed her a quick look. half
curiosity. half unbelief. "Sure you're
gladT he smiled.
Yes indeed" she answered. u
would like to get out Of the office by
April"
shes on the level. jim" said Nc
Graw, a. he left. "She's told me the
same thing"
You're making . pretty nice sui.
ary for q girl" suggested jim, after
NcGraw had gone.
Don't you like the work."
She shook her head, turning TO look
ont Of q window.
Jim leaned forward little. looking
ut her. Mary Sue seemed sympathetic.
VI can't hold down q desk job for q
long time. maybe never again. I've de-
velOped nerves. I'd rather have lost
q leg, or an arm" He leaned back 10
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
of the sailor hat and was leaning her
head against the ledge. looking away
at the trees. Again Jim felt u subtle
little thread Of sympathy between
them. "Ths doctor thinks that siI
months ON 4 farm will aI 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 a warm.
friendly little smile at him. There are
some pear trees In bloom down the
path. I'm going 10 wheel you there and
we'll plan something together" Once
under the trees, Mary Sue sat down
on the grass at his feet. "lsa't II lovely
here" she cried. Look There's Q
white throat building her nest In the
crotch Of that tree. with the white
bloom all over II. like towering vine
on q tiny cottage. love the country,
the birds and the flowers, the green
fields. with daisies and buttercups.
You'll love II. 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 II in Picardy and Flanders.
Rats, too! They're always In barns"
mot our barn! I've q lovely plan
for you. It's-it's Just fate" she lifted
her eager. dresm-filled gray eyes and
| Jim admitted that she was pretty. ~
live with my Aunt Fanny aud my
Uncle Silas Lenoir. YOu'li like him.
He's line. He wrote TO me only today
--thnt they need q young man on the
farm this summer and they want me
TO nnd somebody for them before ! ~
back. Uncle ~ 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 q maximum amount. You
see. you're Il! And Aunt Fannle's
cooking! It's too good to talk about.
You'n get fat. Sergeant"
"Oh. say Jim." he pleaded. the sha'
dow on his young face lifting for the
arN time.
She clupped her hands and. ~ "
IN fairy.like answer. u little aurry of
snowy pear blossoms sifted down on
her head aud shoulders.
"will. .o'.ihe-wlsp-o-spring!" he whis-
pered. at SQUADS great. the farm,
Aunt Fannie. Uncle Stand you--bnt
you'd get tired ~ your job. ! can't let
you fool yourself--and me"
Mury Sue moved very close TO him,
and her hand found his hand and held
Il. IN warm sympathetic colnpaalon.
shin there on the wheel chair. We're
| M, dr.amers nnr fpddlsts In the rolin.