Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-08-23
CHAPTER xl-continued.

strange woman, with a baby on her
srH, met Them at the door. Grant in
quESd for Mrs. Bruce and her daugh-
ter
SUh, you haven't heardY said the
woman. Il suppose you are gust
back Well. It was a sad thing, but
these have been sad times. II was
when Hubert was killed l came here
FIRST. Poor dear, she took that to
heart awful. and couldn't be left alone,
and Phyllis was working In an office
so I came here part time 10 help out
Then She was just beginning to brace
up again when we got the word about
Grace. Grace, you know, was lost on
a hospital ship. That was too much
Cor her"
Grant received this Information
with strange catching about the
heart.
What became OF PhylllsT He tried
20 ask the question in an even voice.
II moved into the house after Mrs.
Bruce died" the woman continued.
"as my man came back discharged
shout that time Phyllis tried to get
on as a nurse, but couldn't manage II.
Then her office was moved to another
part Of the city and she took rooms
somewhere. At first she came to see
us often, but not lately. / suppose
shes trying to forget"
Trying to forget" Grant muttered
10 himself How much Of life is made
up Of trying to forget"
Further questions brought no fur.
ther information The woman didn't
know the firm for which Phyllis
worked; she thought # had to do with
munitions Suddenly Grant found him.
self lmpeled BY tremendous desire
90 locate this girl He would set
about It at once; possibly Jones or
Murdoch could give him information.
Strangely enough, he now felt that he
would prefer to be rid OF Llnder's
company This was a matter Of him
self alone. He took Under to a hotel,
where they arranged for lodgings, and
ehen started on hls search.
lie located Murdoch without diff
Guilty. II was now late. and the old
clerk came down the stairs with In
offensive lmprecatlons upon the head
OF his untlmely caller, but his mutter-
ings soon gave way 70 cry OF delight.
My dear boy" he exclaimed, EN-
bracing him my dear boy-excuse
me sir, I'm a blithering old man. hut
oh sir-my boy, you're home again!"
There was no doubling the depth or
old Murdoch's welcome. He ran he
fore Grant into the llylngroom and
switched on the lights In moment
he was back With his arm about the
young mans shoulder; he was with
difficulty restraining cai%sses.
Sit you down, Mr. Grant; here
'ghis chalr-lt's easier. must get the
women up. This is no night for sleep
sing Why didn't you send us word1'
There is tradition that official
word is sent In advance" Grant tried
10 explain.
aye a tradition, There's a tradl-
zion that a Scotsman Is a dour body
without any sentiment. WE'LL must
call the women"
He hurried up the stairs, and, re
turning. led in his wife. motherly
woman who almost kissed the young
soldier. In the welcome OF her greet
ing IL was a moment before Grant
became aware OF the presence OF a
fourth person in the room.
II am very glad 10 see you safely
back" said Phyllis Bruce. I'VE have
all been thinking about you great
deal"
why, Mlss-Phyllisl II was you l
was looking for" The frank confes.
sion came before he had time 70 sup
press It, and. having said so much, Il
Seemed better to finish the job.
Yes, Phyllis is making her home
@tth MS now" Mrs Murdoch explained
1T IS more convenient 20 her work"
Grant wondered how much Of this
arrangement was due to Mrs, Muir
doch's sympathy for the bereayed girl,
and how much to the addition which
It made 10 the family income No
doubt both considerations had con
grIbuted 10 II.
Il called at your old home, he CON
tinued. Il needn't say how distressed
was TO hear- The woman could tell
me nothing of YOU. SO l came to Muir
doch, hoping"
Eyes she said simply. as though there
were nothing more 70 explain. Grant
noticed that her eyes were larger and
her cheeks pa|er than they Ea1 been.
but the delight OF her presence leapt
about him. Her hurried costume
seemed 10 acceuuate her beauty de.
spite Of all that war had done 10 de-
.rtroy It. There was silence which
heightened our. They were all grop.
ing for a footing
Mrs. Murdoch met the situation by
insisting that she would put on the
kettle, and Mr. Murdoch. In a burst Of
almost divine Inspiration. Insisted thar
his wife was quite incompetent To
3ight the gus alone at that hour Of
che night When the old folks had
shHfiied into the kitchen Grant found
himself standing close to P&yllls Bruce
"XEhy didn't you answer NJ, -