The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-27
CHAPTER XI (Continued.
 G.nI,% E--G2on


 Sight Unseen.
 I fell to trembling.
 "Is he-welr?'' I managed to ask.
 Perfectly; brown as berry. Bill's voice had become less strained
 Maybe he doesn't want to see me-
 ''Yes, he does.''
 How do you know?''
 "I had a talk about you with him, yesterday. Haven't had time to see him, today"
 Did he say -
 He said he didn't; but he was lying. I didn't tell him that you were coming"
 That drive was endless Leaving town, we drove along winding road with wooden houses of curious de- sign, set all about through the pine hills, and finally stopped in front or a little place that resembled a coun- try school house.
 What place is this, Bi1l?" I asked.
 '"The Walter Reed Hosp-t tai" q thought you said -" Hes been working here for the past five weeks; recuperating before that. He expects to get out this week.
 What day?" Nobody knows that See.A path toward the little house, looked at us inquiringly and paused. Bill motioned to him, and he came sm-r- ingIy into the road.
 This is Mrs Dennison. Captain. ''She has come to see her husband, Private Jarvis Dennison."
 I looked at Bill in surprise.
 "Pr.vate Dennison left yestercay afternoon" replied the captain.
 q saw him yesterday morning." said Bill. "He didn't expect to get away so soon. I thought he would surely be here this morning."
 They are alwSys anxious to ge, away" smiled the captain. "and we threat them we'll too," he added whimsica11y.
 .'Is he quite wel1?" I couldn't help asking, though Bill had just told me-
 Hes in splendid condition" replied the captain. "He has a fine physique and good habits; that's what counts"
 Thanking the accomm odaung cap tain, we turned away. Bill clearly knew whena Jarvis had gone.
 ''BilI," gasped, whats this about Jarvis-Priwate Dennison?"
 Just that. He enlisted at San Francisco in the summer of 1916," returned Bill. casually.
 
 breath was shut off "The summer of 1916! Immediately after leaving mel
 As we drove along that beautiful country road. Bill. who seldom talked. kept up the conversation, touching this thing and that-the woods at this season-what the President was doing - and the Senate - the after math of the war.
  ment is doing. for our disabled boys," he said.
 "I suppose so." I replied, I am ashamed to admit, with but little in- terest.
 Not only are they being fitted with new professions at the expense of the government; but they are to be paid definite salary for life"
 ooh, Bin.'' I cried. 1T want to hear about Jarvis! Pm selfish, know, but somehow I can't think of list as la private? He is an expert pharrniacist; he could have got a com mission" 1T asked him about that" said Bill "He said he didn't try for one. and he didn't write me again because ne didn't want you to fret. He says he just wanted to drop out"
 My eyes were like balls of fire; but no tears relieved them. "When did you find out he was here?" I asked. ''He wrote me. I got his letter just before the signing of the armistice." "Bil1"
 s'Yes, Nell" he returned calmly "I was within four days of stealing my friends wife" Not that, Bi1,' I returned gently. "Just that!' he snapped. tI knew l you loved him and that he loved you So when the world sang it's great Peace Jubilee, I was at war. It seem- ed as if I couldn't give you up. I oe- | cided to come to Washington. I 1 found he had been considerably 1 shaken up; and had had the ffu rather seriously" 'why didn't you let me come with you?" I demanded. t'I hadn't decided to give you up co him then, chi1d.'' There was the } merest shadow of a smile in the eyes \ that rested calmly on my race. ooh, Bill" My own thoughtless- | ness overwhelmed me. I was hot with shame. Don't worry" smiled Bill. Its all settled.' He was silent a while, then: 'tI was glad when I was rejected for | service-glad because I wanted to be near you So d:d Jarvis want to be near you. He went. One way or another we have each got to serve. 1 Jarvis has done his; now it's my turn You see, Nell, my faults are | only different from Jarvis'-we all | have clay feet, child.'' "Oh, Bill. dear!" I whispered. 'I want you both to go back with l me to Wyoming.' continued Bill. 'b. | was I who erected that little shack on Jarvis claim after he left, in &C., cordance with the requirements or the hom estead law, and I posted sign saying the owner had gone to war, being pretty sure that was where Jarvis was. was satisfied the government would protect the claims of her boys while in service; but even if she didn't those men out there would have made it hot for any fellow who tried to jump that claim" I couldn't speak. It seemed terr.- ble that the question of this land