Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-07-13
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HOME.
BY GERTRUDE ROCKWELL.

hung low with lis load II purple
clusters. Mrs. kent's scissors shipped
lavishly. and occasionally she held "A
spray AGAINST her white cheeks. Her
cheeks and her hair had whitened
rapidly since THAI day nearly year
a-0 when Derry had come home. She
tried % keep her thoughts from going
back o. that homecoming. 50 different
from her plans. She tried 10 thank
Cod that Derry had come home, even
though in some strange way be had
left the living thinking part of him In
France.
She looked tenderly over % where
Derry sat on the door step. playing
viii a spray OF lilac
Down the street came a swift paiter
OF feet. and little girl stopped az
the gate. She was dressed IN white,
with a red. white and blue cap.
Flowers ready, Mrs KentT" she in
qUired, smoothing down her starched
skirUs.
~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. lie shook
his head slowly. and brushed his hand
over his eyes.
"YOu aren't going 10 the paradeE"
asked Gladys. as she started OF.
"No dear: don't think Derry wants
20 go today" Mrs Kent replied, stead
ily.
Derry went over and lay down in
the hammock. Mrs. Kent paused on
the steps q see him settled.
'WhIle you have a little nap, III get
the work done. DEAR" she said, as
she went In the house.
Presently down town the band be-
gan o. play. As the faint sounds aud
the rumble ~ the drums came up the
street. the hoy In the hammock sat
up. Again the slight frown wrinkled
his forehead. aud he brushed his eyes
with his hand.
The boom 81 the drum drew nearer.
Derry stood up. lie went down the
gravel walk. and opening the gate.
stepped out. lie paused. The splendid
strains ~ the national anthem came
% h~s ears.
Derry looked puzzled and walked to-
ward the sound.
Mrs. Kent worked quietly about the
house Tor some time. Derry usually
slept most al the forenoon. She tried
10 shut her ears 20 the music. and the
knowledge that out there. khaki-clad
lads. strong. intelligent. were paying
honor 90 those who slept.
The boom Of the saluting guns smote
upon her ears. She went "a the dooI
aud peeped M the hammock. Il was
empty. In swift alarm she glanced
about the yard and saw the open gate
IN 10 months Derry had never been
ont there alone. She ran down the
street trying a. steady her trembling
knees. With sure instinct she made
Tor the cemetery. lie had gone to
the parade.
She sped ON. The procession was
winding slowly cut. drums muied,
music siiiled. Tie sun caught IN the
folds Of the silken tag at the head
81 the column. and the breeze flung IL
forth. red as the sacrifcial blood Of
its slain. while as the souls IF its
heroic womanhood. blue as the hcav-
Ems that had guarded and moulded IL.
But she had eyes FOR none Of these.
Only dimly dld she see the thin line
u blue. the whitehead girls. the sturdy
marching lines Of khaki on and on
they passed. and az last she saw him
acroSS the moving pageant lie was
standing alone az the edge Of the
crowd. the dazed won1 ering frown
stiil on his face.
Forgetting the procession she started
ross the street. The last Of the
nlarchcrs had passed. and the autos
carrying the old veterans were follow
ng.
II all happened 50 quickly. In the
rery instant that Mrs. Kent started
across the street Derry saw her. saw.
too. the autos bearing down upon her.
Airs. Kent saw him leap. felt his swift
arms about her. and did she hear or
aid she dream that vibrant voice
shouting Mother"
Darkness closed about her. thick,
palpitating darkness that whirred and
sang with strange noises. After long
time Il lifted. and she saw the kind old
face ~ Dr. Brown bending over her.
She lay on her own bed. Mrs. Kent
started up with one cry-"Derry." The
doctor put our n OBTAINING hand.
~Just a minute Mrs. Kent Some
thing remarkable has happened.
hardly know"
where Is Derryy" demanded the
mother
DERRY Is awake and Is asking for
you."
Is asklngg~ Then the vibrant voice
was not a dream.
a aHa 49, nd HFfH "a