Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-04-21
0'-THE-WlSP
BY A. MARIA CRAWFORD

poy, Shlu icllOTu NicbIdN, phltlilS the
broad shoulder OF convalescent pa
tient In st. Luke's hospital.
Jim looked up. little smile twisting
his 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. "Tll be glad when you are well
enough 10 come back TO the Office.
Girls were all right during the war
when we couldn't do any better but
give me boy in my place of business,
every time. Now that girl who took
your position when you had to come
out here 10 the hospital. She's "A clever
little thing. but 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 daughter as pref
~. Well, here she comes! l didn't
tell you, did /. that she asked TO come
along with me? Pretty little thing,
isn't she?"
He beamed IN fatherly fashion on
the girl who was walking slowly to-
ward them. Here's Jim. getting as fit
as fiddle" he called 10 her. This is
Miss Mary Sue Leaoir, Mr. James Nc
Cornell, formerly Sergeant Mcconnell
with the A. f. L. in France"
II hope that you will soon be able
to come back to the Office" she said
soberly.
Jim flashed her n quick look, half
curiosity, half unbelief Sure you're
glade" he smiled.
"Yes indeed" she answered. 81
would like to get out Of the Office by
April"
"She's on the level, jim" said Nc
Graw, as he left. "Shes told me the
same thing"
you're making a pretty nice sal
airy for a girl" suggested jim, after
McGraw had gone.
Don't you like the work."
She shook her head, turning to look
out Of a window.
Jim leaned forward little, looking
at her. Mary Sue seemed sympathetic.
81 can't hold down a desk job for
long time. maybe never again. I've de-
veloped nerves. I'd rather have lost
n leg. or an arm" He leaned back in
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
off the sailor hat and was leaning her
head against the ledge, looking away
at the trees. Again Jim felt a subtle
little thread of sympathy between
them. "The doctor thinks that six
months on a farm will fix me up but
] don't know a thing about farming
You know what farmers expect Of
hired help, Drawn and muscle! And
Ill have to do somethng-to live"
Mary Sue got up, smiling warm
friendly little smile M him. "There are
come pear trees in bloom down the
path. I'm going to wheel YOU there and
Wen plan something together" once
under the trees. Mary Sue sat down
on the grass at his feet. "Isa't It lovely
hereW she cried. Look There's
white throat building her nest in the
crotch of that tree, with the white
bloom all over 1t, like n Towering vine
on tiny cottage. / love the country,
the birds and the flowers, the green
fields, with daisies and buttercups
You'll love 1t, too, when you 90"
Jim smiled. "Not much" he said.
'Dark, old muddy roads, have 10 car
ry an oily, smelly lantern. I'm through
with the dark and candleS-had
enough of 1t IN Picardy and Flanders
Rats, tool They're always in barns
"Not our barn! I've n lovely plan
for you. lists just fate" she lifted
her eager, dream-hlled gray eyes ana
Jim admitted that she was pretty. II
live with my Aunt Fanny and my
Uncle Slas Lenolr. You'll like him.
He's fine lie wrote 10 me only today
that they need a young man on the
farm this summer and they want me
to find somebody for them before ! 60
back. Uncle ST said that he wanted
somebody who was good at figures,
who could help him carry ont some
plans To improve the stock, 10 make
the farm pay maximum amount. You
see, you're It! And Aunt Fannie's
cooking, It's too good TO talk about.
You'll get fat, Sergeant"
"Oh. say jim" he pleaded the sha-
dow on his young face lifting for the
first time.
She clapped her hands snd as II
in fairy-like answer, a little furry Of
slowy pear blossoms sifted down on
her head and shoulders.
evil .o'-ihe-wisp-o'-spring ~ he whis-
pered. "It sounds great, the farm,
Aunt Fannie, Uncle Si--ana you-but
you'd get tired of your job. l can'G let
you fool yourself-and me-"
Mary Sue moved very close 10 him.
and her hand found his hand and held
II, in warm sympathetic companion
ship, there on the wheel chair. "We're
not dreamers nor faddists i'm the coun-
try" she told him. "We're simple folk
and we feel personal responsibility in
our neighbors' welfare. The folks in
cities live next door TO each other for
years and never speak. We couldn't
do that In n month'S fine I'm the conn