The Dolores star., 1921-09-02
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HOME.
BY GERTRUDE ROCKWELL
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lhe big lilac bush by the front door
lung 10" with Its load of purple
clusters. Mrs. kepts scissors shipped
'"N'shiy, and occasionally she held a
spray against her white cheeks. Her
'"eeks ana her hair had whitened
rhpldiy since that day nearly a year
ago when Derry had come home. She
.ried TO Keep her thoughts from going
pack TO that Homecoming, so different
from her plans. She tried to THANK
God that Derry had come home. even
though in some strange way he had
left the living, thinking part of him IN
France.
She looked tenderly over to where
Derry sat on the door step, playing
with spray of lilac
Down the street came a swift pattcr
IN rect, and little girl stopped at
the gate. She was dressed in white.
with red, white and blue cap.
FLOWERS ready, Mrs. Kent? she in
qutred, smoothing down her starched
skirts.
"All ready, Gladys, and about all
you can carry, my dear" She came
over and placed the big bouquet in the
child's arms. Derry was looking at
the red, white and blue cap. He shook
his head slowly, and brushed his hand
over his eyes.
you aren't going to the parade 2"
asked Gladys, as she started off.
No dear; don't think Derry wants
to 90 today" Mrs. Kent replied, stead
lily.
Derry went over and lay down in
the hammock. Mrs. Kent paused on
the steps to see him settled.
while you have a little nap, I'll get
the work done, dear" she said, as
she went In the house.
Presently down town the band be-
gan to play. AS the faint sounds and
the rumble Of the drums came up the
street, the boy in the hammock sat
up. Again the slight frown wrinkled
his forehead, and he brushed his eyes
with his hand.
The boom of the drum drew nearer.
i'Niis Siopi up IlC Ntll uONH tllG
gravel walk, and opening the gate,
stepped out He paused. The splendid
strains of the national anthem came
to his ears.
Derry looked puzzled and walked to-
ward the sound.
Mrs. Kent worked quietly about the
house for some time. Derry usually
slept most of the forenoon. She tried
to shut her ears to the music, and the
knowledge that out there, khaki-clad
lads, strong, intelligent, were paying
honor to those who slept.
The boom of the saluting guns smote
upon her ears. She went to the door
and peeped at the hammock. 1t was
empty. In swift alarm she glanced
about the yard and saw the open gate.
In 10 months Derry had never been
out there alone. She ran down the
street trying to steady her trembling
knees With sure instinct she made
for the cemetery. He had gone to
the parade.
She sped on. The procession was
SioNls Jul,
music stilled. The sun caught in the
folds of the silken flag at the head
of the column, and the breeze flung it
forth, red as the sacrticlal blood of
its slain, white as the souls of its
heroic wOmanhOod, blue as the heav-
ems that had gus; led and moulded it.
But she had eyes for none of these.
Only dimly did she see the thin line
of blue, the whiteclad girls, the sturdy
marching lines of khaki. On and on
they passed, and at last she saw him
across the moving pageant. He was
standing alone at the edge of the
crowd the dazed wondering frown
still on his face.
Forgetting the procession she started
across the street. The last of the
marchers had passed, and the autos
carrying the old veterans were follow
ing.
1t all happened so quickly. In the
very instant that Mrs. Kent started
across the street Derry saw her. saw,
too the autos bearing down upon her.
Mrs. Kent saw him leap. felt his swift
arms about her. and did she hear or
did she dream that vibrant voice
shouting "Mother?"
Darkness closed about her, thick,
palpitating darkness that whirred and
sang with strange noises. After long
time 1t lifted. and she saw the kind old
face of DR.. Brown bending over her.
She lay on her own bed Mrs. Kent
started up with one cry-"Derry." The
doctor put out OBTAINING hand.
"Just minute Mrs. Kent, Some
thing remarkable has happened.
hardly know"
"Where is Derry?" demanded the
mother.
"Derry is awake and is asking for
you"
SIS osking?" Then the vibrant voice
was not n dream.
She sped down the stairs and into
tbe living room. He turned from
where he was standing at the window