Rockingham post-dispatch., 1922-11-09
THE CLOUDS LINING
BY JENNIE LITTLE
% ~ Mcclure Newspaper syndIeate.J

NVWs anu rows OF men reclining In the
sunlight. patiently waiting for the
feeble sparks of vitality to be famed
to a steadier glow. -,
A frail lad laid an open letter on his
neighbor's knee. "Read it to me, bud
My hands are SO heavy today, 1t tires
me to lift them"
With plying look, the older man
hesitatingly glanced first at the sigma.
ture. Little Mother" Reassured, he
began aloud: Dearest Boy" When
he finished, tears had washed away the
bitterness from hls eyes.
Say" he murmured, IF l ever got a
letter like that, ii would pull me clear
back from the heavenly gates If / was
lucky enough to be headed that way
Little old BRICK" agreed the other.
Since left home In 1917, she's never
missed a week except when she was
SICK last fall. Can't be strong yet, as
her writing isn't the same."
Must be quite an old lady," thought
the reader, picturing the dream mother
50 often In his own mind, with soft
white curls and gentle touch. A fer
tioie pity she and the boy couldn't be
together!
rate plays some scurvy tricks" he
said, aloud. Here am /, the lonesom.
est derelict---a second edition Of
Io9sy, pulling out of the scrap whole,
whiie fellows with families got theirs.
And then, after the flu had a go at
me, I'm getting over this lung busl-
ness, too. Wish to heaven | could
take your place, Davy, and send you
back to her as good as new"
You old blutfer," said the boy, affec.
uonately, "you're worth a dozen of me
or any other, and there's nobody knows
1t better than this same me. I've told
her a little of what you've done since
| knew you."
A sudden light glowed in his ewes.
Say, Rupert, make me promise, will
your"
"Sure. kid. The whole of my king
DOM"
Il figure, Rupe, that about the time
you go out cured, I'll go out, too-yes,
cured. 1t won't be long, know. You've
NOBODY else, you say. Will you go and
comfort her bit, and look after her
for. me? For she thinks I'm just it,
bless her."
All letters afterward were shared by
Rupert Kay that he might get better
acquainted with his charge, the boy
said. His soul knelt In homage be-
fore the purity and sweetness Of her
life, expressed In her written thoughts.
Priscilla Dean" Quaint old name,
just suited to her.
As the boy predicted, the two were
discharged together. Rupert by the
government, he by higher power, and
Rupert turned his face toward the
North.
ON balmy Sunday morning in
spring he reached David's Vermont
Lossil. Out in the suburbs he found
he little gray home.
oh'the wall hung David's picture. on |
he rack his hat and coat. Everything
waiting for David, who was coming |
With his gallant heart still and unre-
Rupert trembled as footsteps came
lurryihg. but II was not the object
II his search who paused in the door.
instead, he saw girl who reminded
I'm OF apple blossom time-and David.
Her hair was the same gold, her eyes
ne same blue, but holding a vague
ook of patient pain.
Il wanted David's mother-Pr!scilla
)ean.' He knew he was bungling
hings, but hadn't realized how hard 1t
as going to be.
She smiled. "Hls little mother'T'
IN she. Our parents died when we
ere small, and he always called me
lat. Have you seen him? Is he still
citing better?"
He asked me to give you this letter.
am Rupert Kay"
"Will you read 1t to me, pleaseY' she
sked, quietly. ."You see, / am quite
ind
The visitor almost staggered -aBlind!
Id he know?"
She shock her head "He had enough
BEAR" she said, simply. ut was last
ovember, was teaching, and there
as fire. Two little ones got trapped
! the second floor, and when l got
en safely out, my eyes were ruined.
lt-tell me Of David"
He led her to an open window,
here Easter chimes floated In like
mforting voices. "Will you remem-
4 what day 1t is, and the message
at 1t brings?' he urged, then told his
Dry.
A long, fearless silence. Il must noti :
BEL" she said at last. "But he was
dear and gay. and must stay here
be.a burden" y
'Don't!" he cried. "This is the an.
er to the riddle of my lonely life
lay was waiting for me all the time. :
T the sake OF the love we both gave ;,
'vid. won't you grant his wish, and = :
me take his place as best I cap?n