The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-01-01
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WELCOME HOME 3
BY LIZZIE N. PEABODY. .,

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a.. 1878. By Mcclure Newspaper syndicate
The old mill town seemed STEPPED In
glorious sunshine the day Il welcomed
home IT, returned sons from the va
rious branches of war service. bells
rang. bands played and banners ~h,sd
everywhere.
The beautifully staged floats. each
representing is bit 81 history. each
bearing loyal men and women who had
In their appointed way fought hard 20
help win the war, were also generously
applHudcd rs they passed on their way.
After the parade came the banquet
and speeches. aud then dancing In the
town hail. Certainly each returned man
and boy should have felt hls heart
warm with appreciation ~ the hearty
welcome given him. ani stephen
Glenn. honorably discharged that very
day, and who had arrived In town only
a short time before the parade start.
"a had honestly appreciated every -.
fort made In his behalf as returned
soldier. and yet there was dissatls.
feed hook in his dark eyes ~ they
rovcd around the hall. even NJ he
danced with the pretiiest girl aud best
lancer there.
lie was looking for little BETTY
Plummer. and she had not yet ap-
peared.
Seven lahoriously written letters
which should have passed the censor.
be had sent 20 her.
Even while keeping step to the gay
music he sorroWfully admitted to him
self that as far as hc was concerned
be might as well have tied n stone to
each letter and have dropped 1; into
the deep sea. for he had not heard
from her. Members of his company
had received letters from the home
town more or less regularly. but the
seusitiyencss which made him hide
deep his hurt feelings. counseled II.
lencc, and he had asked no questions
Of them.
Although he was fond ~ dancing he
suddenly decided early In the evening
10 go home; and as result soon
found himself walking rapidly In the
direction ~ the old Plummer home
stead, where Betty lived with her
grandmother. aud which was Ia the
opposite direction from his boarding
place.
Surprising that Betty had stayed
away from the dance In order 20 avoid
him. he argued 20 himself -supposing
even that she preferred spending the
evening at home with someone who
had taken his place In her heart.
There really wasn't any reason why he
shouldn't siroll down by the oldiash.
toned gambrel-roofed white cottage
where she lived. and he was soon
standing close 10 the old furrowed
stone which after many years Of serv-
ice as part % the busy old grist
mill had BEEN che "a by Betiy's grand
/ father as a suitable stepping stone TO
I his front door. In the sitting room
there was "A CHEEKY light and outside
/ the old-fashloncd flowers which grew
| about the sides Of the odd stone
seemed To slcepily nod to him a wei
/ COME as they swayed toward him In
/ the pale moonlight. Then the uneN.
pectcd happened. From force % habit,
and almost unconscious II the act. he
raised the cld brass knocker aud
/ knocked upon the door.
II was Betty who came, opened the
door quickly, and then stood gazing AZ
him.
Without being wholly successful size
! tried Ia veil the look 81 happiness
which sprang into her blue eyes NJ she
recognized him. and checking an excla
nation. with hands hanging Imply b!
her sides. she silently waited for him
to speak
Don't stand there looking like that
Betty he burst out. you must have
known that couldn't Keep away that
I would have to learn from your owl
lips your reason Tor not answering nay
letters To you. Maybe they weren't In
tercsting. maybe they weren't vel
written; hut, ola, Betty! couldn't yoJ
have written Just ouceT Her expires
Z NitNl flNANAfM anu NNf lllfA 10 NiitAN
calmly. but her voice trvmblc,l an,
broke
"Nou told me yon would send youl
address. aud waited Tor you 10 write
at first / was very patient. and ther
but oh. l didn't get any letters
Stcyie-" and Tor moment she GOV
er-d her eyes with both hands.
A feeling 81 perfect comprehensive
I crrpt over him. Couldn't he under
stand well enough bow hard Il had
been TO bear tho Strain OF waiting
Eagerly h. caught et her hands and
drew them swiftly away from her facr
"Seven letters. Betty" he cried
SEVEN letters I wrote and sent aud
would have written ~ more. only |
made up my mind at last that you did
not care for my letters. or Tor me-" la
his voice was the ring ~ truth. Truth
shone In his clear. young eyes. and all
her doubts and fears vanished; bur