Graham guardian., 1921-01-28
The New Life
By JESSIE ETHEL stIERwN

4
Bertha Druse purposely put herself
In the way Of meeting John Barker
whenever occasion encouraged. She
passed the time Of day quite casually
to all appearances, but always man.
nged to detaln him long enough TO ask
him question In which lay her vivid
interest.
"what do you hear from AllanT
At the first Mr., Barker had answered
with scowl and carping TRADE
against the boy who had run away
from home and had made all skies and
sevens Of his destiny. Some spark Of
humane interest IN the old man, how
ever, became revivlfied when he
learned Indirectly that Allan had gone
abroad a volunteer for Uncle Sam.
Then with some pride he told Bertha
that he had received a two-llno letter
from Allan. He even showed Il to
Bertha; ''Dess Old Dad: / have cut
out drinking. It's ail fighting now."
And such a glad. rspta;ons sparkle
came to ths ssss Of the longing girl,
and such gldfious Aush to hs+ fair,
fresh face that Mr. Barker exclaimed: /:
"Helloi what's thisi SrSfy you
haven't any hankerinT after that
young scapegracel"
"Bnt aren't you glad that Allan has
has feformedi. Oh fear Mr.. Barker.
II he only comes track to the world
and Its old sweet ~aysI"
Poetry Sentimentr scoffed Mr..
Barker. n haven't much faith in the
boy" but Bertha fancied there was 4
false note ~ his avowed disbelief
Hes coming home, Allan is," an
nounced Mr.. Barker one day IN the
armistice year. "He thinks next
month";" and he put out his hand TO
steady Bertha, for she acted as though
she was about to faint. She recovered
herself, however but her lips moved
tremulously as though In a mute
prayer of gladness and hope.
Allan Barker had made record for
himself at the front. Not only that,
but he had picked up small fortune.
He was one Of group which had sur
prised party Of looters among the
enemy who had slaughtered half OF the
inhabitants Of little town and had
burned down every house IN sight
There had been sanguinary fght. Aft
er II was all over Allan showed to his
commanding of1cer little sack filed
with gold and Jewels, which he had
wrested from one Of the foe.
"well," observed this Official, "you
had better turn II In"
ITO what Department. inquired Al
Ian.
"To your own personal safekeeping."
came the reply. "Its ownership can
not be traced, IL is fair jetsarn, we've
got too much heavy ffghting ahead to
bother with tribes. Cali Il a trophy Of
the eonfiet and take II home as 4
souvenir
You bet ri make good use Of IT,
declared Allan reverent1y, and he dfd.
And when he appeared at his native
town few months after that, stireiy
returned warrior never vaunted such
interesting menientoes OF his expert
ence abroad For when he left the
train, just At dusk, four neat-appear.
ing, happy.faeed children. ranging
from four to twelve years, accompa.
MED him.
"Allan Barker and family" was the
way he registered the strange group,
and the hotel landlord stared. and his
motherly wife took charge OF the lit
tie ones MS though they were her own,
when she learned that they were all
that was left OF Belgian peasant
family.
I've simply adopted the four.
That's my share. I'm thinking Of the
forlorn orphan refugees. I'm lucky
having quite snug sum 10 care for
them advised Allan proudly.
''oh, isn't IL tust like you. Allan Bar.
ker, and no one else I" enthused the
sympathetic lady. "You we're always
good and grand at heart. for ali your
wild ways"
''I wonder II dad win echo that sen
timcntl" said Allan. am on the look.
out for n mother for those little ones
and think l know where to 40 to fnd
her Then there's home needed
I'm going IN report to dad and find
out how he feels about IT,"
"Well, you've come bnek, see," wa,
the greeting Allan received ne - stood