The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-11-19
BIZ Adrienne Thum

The two Indies came In and greet.
cd him with great cordlallty-nor
would Jim have felt any lack OF the
oldtime friendship II lie had not
overheard the conversation on tho
stairs, Mrs. Ross was exnggcratcdiy
sorry about his legs being parai.
yzed. listened with absorbed inter.
est 10 some Of tbe details Of tho
treatment That he had Undergone;
then when he paused she excused
herself. saying she had most im.
portant engagement. Grace was
not ms effusIve an her mother. but
Jim felt there was moro sympathy
for him behind her silence. There
was n rather awkward pause after
Mrs Ross left, then Grace remark.
cd: 1T In a grcnt thing 10 have
the war over. We can all get back
to our normal life"
But. Miss Grace, I had the time
Of my life while was In tho hospi.
tai here. never can be grateful
enough for nll you did for me.
know II was Just because the war
was going on and you all wanted
TO DO good 10 us sick holders, but
then thought II was all me"
Grace flushed ~ don't know what
you mean"
"WcIl, ! cant say things very
well. know. but / thought II was
mo that the folks were 80 good 10
and not Just sick soldier"
We'll, Il was you, Of course We
would never have met you II you
had not been n soldier In the hospl-
tai"
Every one In no busy II seems
ms II they don't have the time they
used to have two years ago. Mother
Wilson IL such n busy woman, II
seems ms II she don't have the fun
In her she had then"
20, she Is the one who took you
to tho Methodist church, and you
liked going no much she wanted you
to join and told her you couldn't
because you we're waiting to Join
the church your wife belonged to-"
laughed Grace
That's the one, but think now
I'd take most anything for my
chance OF getting married"
You are only II. wouldn't
give up yet"
IT amt my age. II Is this" and
he touched the brace on his leg
After a few moments silence
Jim asked Grace II Ghe knew any.
thing Of the two boys who had
had cots beside him al tho hosDi.
tai.
20, yes she answered, relieved
to change the subject. "The little
Virglnian went home soon after you
left Louisville, and he sent me an
invitation to his wedding. And the
other one. Lltton. ! think his name
was, | met on the street tho other
day, and he asked after you.
would not have known him he
looked so well and robust, II he
had not stopped me. was glad
to see him, too" and Their eie added,
II shall always take ar interest IN
the boys that were out al camp"
After little more talk, Jim re.
membered about Grace having nm
engagement TO luncheon, so he awll-
wardly rose TO go
"Oh, don't go yet" said Grace un.
easily. II have an engagement 10
luncheon. but" looking Mt her wrist
watch, II don't have to go for half
an hour yet"
Jim muttered something about
some other folks expecting him.
Wont you come to dinner tomor.
row night?" begged Grace earnestly.
mo, I'm going back tomorrow
night"
This IL too short a stay Well.
can't you come to dinner tonight.
/ know mother would be delighted
She did not know your stay would
be so hurried. Why don't you let
your friends get moro than this lit.
tie glimpse of your"
IL told Mother Wilson I'd come
there to supper tonight.
THAT Is too bad for us not TO be
able to see any more of you than
this"
Jim fancied he saw relief In
Grace's eyes II not In her tone, lie
felt instlnctively that had II been In
her power she would have gladly
gone back to the old feeling OF In.
terest she had had for him only
the interest was not there and, try
as she would. she could not get il
back.
well. good bye. and good luck
To you" she said stretching OUT her
hand IRE sure and come back
soon again. and then you must
stay longer, II hardly seems worth
while to come so Tar for only oue
night"
III IL 80 hard to act around la