Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1922-01-27

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Q. 1922 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
It all started that beautiful summer
night in 1919, when the little club
house was filled to oyernowing with
merry, laughing young people whose
minds had not yet adjusted themselves
to the dark shadow of the war that
WAS looming over, them. The music
was %athrobbing plaintively, and + It
strangely affected the tall youth lean
ing against the porch rail, putting a
cigarette. Something within him made
him long: for vague something that
he could not define. He was lonely,
very lonely, and still he had no need
to be, for with his money, position
and good looks he had host of
friends. But tonight he kept away
from them, strangely disturbed. Gay
figures flitted past, the; open door DOR, ! Of +
/ the clubhouse, .sWayng gracefully to to
the music, ..*iy~ tHs3yru ny <. .Y4.E =
Suddenly the slouching figure Of the
/ boy stitfened as a..girl whlskedshys the
door, 0nythe arm; of q, tall yeungs man:
/ Who was she? Surely he had never
seen her before. He hurried inside
the dance hall, and looked in vain for
her. She was gone For over an hour
he searched, until at last he found
her, standing by the porch rail in the
very spot he had occupied a, little
while before Her gown was Of some
soft, sheer white stuff-the skirt full
and fluffy, her white shoulders and
arms were bare. her shining brown
hair piled high. Never had he. seen
such loneliness. His longing, was no
longer vague. '.',.> -
Later he managed to dance with
her, aud his heart thumped madly as
the brown eyes smiled up into his:
That same week he learned she was
an artist, and to his unspeakable de-
light she wished to make a sketch OF
his head. The afternoon was one
never to be forgotten. He was an adj
mirable model, and under her slender,
! clever fingers the sketch took form
his clear-cut features his dark, wav-
, ing hair-almost unreal in it's perfec-
ton.
You have wonderful face" she
said dreamiiy, when it was finished.
Don't let anything ever mar it! Keep
those eyes as clear as they are now,
that chin as frm-that mouth as
sweet"
| the winter, till the spring-they were
:! inseparable. He loved her with all
! his young heart, and still he never
| told her So How could he? He didn't
! dream she cared for him! There were
! 30 many. and while she was always
! kind to him. still she was always kind
/ to everybody! Then, in the midst OF
their happiness came the war! The
! boys young blood was hot with anger,
and he was one Of the first to CO.. In
! his trim uniform he was unspeakably
! handsome, and the slim girl in white
trembled as she saw him 60. There
had been no word-no promise-only
that they would write. She had kissed
| his cheek very softly when he said
good-by, and that was: all.
Christmas, 1921! The little club
! house was gayly decorated with ever.
! green's and holly. Little twigs Of mis-
! tletoe were hung in out-of-the-way
, places-snares for pretty, cleve,
! maidens. High on a stepladder perched
! the girl--a little older-a little wise,
-lovelier than ever. Before her or
; the wall hung a picture-the boy In
his uniform, gazing steadfastly at he'
with solemn, pleading eyes. She fell
, tightening about her heart, and he1
straight shoulders sagged little.
! Come, come, Jeanie-don't give
! way now. We've far too much to do 7
The girl at the foot of the stepladdel
was very practical.
II can't help it, Mary-he was 81
perfect! Why did it have to be tn
one I loved best in the worlds"
But the girl at her feet wasn't lis
tening. She was busy directing thu
hanging Of a huge bell. Then sh'
hurried out. 1t was late afternoon
and the Anal decorations were care
fully placed. The others were read!
to 20.
Coming, Jeanne? Or are you 80
ing to sit there on the ladder moon
ing over Carlos all night? Poor Carlos
He'd give his life again to see yo1
thus!" And they were gone. Tn
sun, almost set, cast last glory o
pale sunshine through the window
setting all the holly berries glowing
The girl on the ladder sobbed unheedet
! Suddenly her figure stinened: A
uncanny feeling that she was no
alone crept over her, and she LITE
her face from her hands. There a
the foot of the ladder was a man. Hi
face bore q horrible scar across tn
left cheek-a lufid crimson scar! BIZ
the eyes were the same clear eyes
the chin as firm-the mouth as swee
"Jeanie!" he whispered, brokenly
the staring girl. Il just couldn't hel
coming. They wanted to wait unit
tonight, but I couldn't. wanted
see you sou His hand crept to h
cheek. I'm horrible to look a
! Jeanne
The girl crept down the ladder, an
grasped the man by his shoulder
"Where have you been all this time
Way back in the fall of 1917 you wei
reported missing. Where did you e
Why didn't you come back to me? ~
waited so long"