Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-16
THE LITTLE I,EFuGEE.
CHAPTER VI.
teaching Their Destinations.

"lcd over rough and muddy roads.
Along til: way they passed many
chmps, and half naked children and
babies nearly starved by the road
nlde. And all the while Vera sat hud-
died upon the wagon. II had 4 ton
on IT. with window on either side.
Mrs. Robertson sat on the other side
f"Vtling In the beauty of tho seen
crS. and trying to turn Ncra's mind
|" pleasantcr topic than the one
she wa. thinking about,
Those dear. good people" Vera
said. softly. rs TO herself. and TO
think Of having left them! Oh, how
wish ] was back in camp. among my
own people"
There now. dearie. don't fret" SAID,
Mrs. Robertson. soothingly. soon
well he in America and you will for
get et"rythinE but the wonder Of that
strange land"
This evidently cnlmcd Vera. for
she soon had n glow on her checks.
and she took more interest in the
scenery.
Suddenly Vera thought OF the letter
Berthe had given her. which vas still
"iaspcd tightly In her hands. And
very ncrvously she opened 81.
II was very simple letter. just a
few verses. but II made vera's heart
beat more faster than II was wont 70,
az she read the following:
"ay Little Refugee"
When you are III home. way across
the sea.
Then don't forget | love YOU. my lit
tie refugee.
When you havo gone. the stars won't
shine 50 bright.
And who'll be here 10 cheer me
every lonely night
But your presence, can feel Il IN
the air.
From your blue. b!uc-cycs TO your
pretty golden hair:
And I'll know that you're thinking.
way across the sea
Knowing that love you. Little Retu.
gee. BERTHE
1t was with flushed and smiling
face that Vera stepped out of the
wagon to Go to the camp near to get
n glass OF fresh milk.
Days passed. and Vera is in a little
village in France. in the harhor from
which ship would carry her by
channel to tho seaport in London.
She saw many wonders in France,
but II was Il sad wreck. Before the
war II was n peaceful country nest-
ling among the mountains. but Vera
houses. with the once peaceful ground
strcwn with shots and shells of the
war.
They also met peasants on the road.
their home wrecked, and they them
selves. had to keep from starving by
the scraps they could pick OFT the
ground, or the food they could beg
from tho soup Kitchens and camps. on
the way.
Vera's and Mothers" plans were
TO go on o ship from the village
fwherc they were now stoppirg) to
London. where they could 60 In \
steamboat to New York.
Vera had recovered her usual
gayety. her face ready to break into
smiles. and she felt like singing and
all the time.
But one thing saddened her, and
that was to leave her fathers country.
lie was born and lived there and he
loved II. and she did. too.
Her father was laying captive some
where. he needed her. AZ that one
thought Vera didn't care TO go TO
America. hut some unusual happen
ing would turn her mind back. and
she was her usual self again.
They stayed in the village for two
days, and then got ready TO go to
They boarded n large steamboat
and took a trip which Vera remem-
h"red all hsr life. The sound OF the
waves splashing around the boat was
like music in her ears. and when she
went on deck to watch the dark
voters rushing by. she was conscious
OF plcasurable thrill which was nc
by Mortified thought.
She was held in awe OF the big waves
TO-, 4
was both destructive and kind-for
II one was causht in it's whirling
eddics. then goodbye to the world.
The thought SO horrifcd her that she
returned TO her stateroom to sleep.
The next morning found Vera and
Mrs Robertson comfortably establish
ell in hotel in London.
Vera was delighted at the sight Of
the beautiful city. and charmed at
N" sight Of the enormous brick
buildings, which nearly touched
high heaven as Vera expressed it.
II was with vain regrets that Sine
went to tho wharf to go to America.
The trip was like q beautiful dream.
Vera had visited some of the shops
in London. buying many relics, which
'-'or" roUosinC In her travelling bag
Finally tho big ship. the "Europia'
arrived. and with ono accord Vera and
Mrs. Robertson went upon the deck
# tho ship.
Vera hardly dreamed of such bliss
an being on steamboat. Tho deck
was shiny and scrubbed so that you
could SEQ your face in II. The captain
"as kind and friendly. and the pas
scngers at once fell in love with the
little girl with the golden curls."
She won many friends OF tho pas
s"np"rS. Most Of them were rich
journcying with their
family To America. but some were
poor foreigners, spending ali the
money they owned to go to America,
where t\'r sorrows would he for
gotten and riches would walk in on
them. Most o: the passengers wcr.
sea sich, but not so Vera. she was
just az sif sho was on land, and (c3-
cepting when the boat gave n lurch
and threw her) she was her own
gay, happy self
Then one morning. Il chilly windy
day, she was startled by the do.
lighted yeiIs Of the sailors as they
screochcd at the top Of their lungs
the magic words; Land, ahoy."
Vera was so excited that cha
jumped out of her berth, and out,
ST.