Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-12-02
CHAPTER III
Home From the War

= ne war was over. OllVer october
Baxter came through without a
scratch.
In April, 1919, he sailed from Brest
ana on the tenth of May arrived In
Rumley, discharged from the army,
iubess. On the way home he stopped
oyer in Chicago to notify his employ
prs that he would be ready to resume
work after a months much-needed
rest. He was blandly informed that
as soon as anything turned up they
would be pleased and happy to take
him back into the concern, but at
present there wasn't a vacancy In
sight.
Being a captain in the army and
used TO plain speaking, he told the as
tonlshed general manager what he
thought of him and the whole works
besides, and airily went his way.
This time there was no delegation
at the station to meet him. His father
ana Sammy Parr were waiting for
him when the train pulled in.
old Oliver eyed his son narrowly.
What's this l hear about them not
taking you back on your old job?" he
demanded. He extended his hand,
which young Oliver gripped in both
III his.
Aren't you glad to see me back,
alive and we'll dad?" he cried.
"Of course, I'm glad you're back,
sonny-of course, am. I've been
praying for this ever since you went
away, But, didn't l say you were a
fool for giving up a $1,000 job to go
over and mix up in war that wasn't
any Of our businessW
"Oh, Pm not down and out, you
know, dad broke in young Oliver.
So cheer up! I'm not worrying"
Course you're not worrying" was
bis fathers sour retort you've got
mr. to fall back on, with a good home
and grub and a darned fine business
~ drop into when I'm dead and gone"
His son could hardly believe his
ears He was bewildered, hurt.
Sammy gave Oliver a significant
look
AS the two young men hurried
across the platform with the bags
oud bundles, he found opportunity to
say to the new arrival:
Your father will be in a good hui
NOR in minute or two. It's just a
habit he's fallen into since you've been
away. l guess it's that Internal gypsy
business. He's as peevish as blazes
a good part of the time"
They drove off in Sammy's car while
Oliver piled his old friend With ques-
tons.
Where is Jane?" he asked sud-
denly.
Jane Sage? Oh, she's around
same as ever. Things are lot easier
for Mr.. Sage ncw.- 1 guess maybe you
haven't heard about his brother dying
out in California and leaving him
4nte bit of money. 1t looks like a
pretty serious affair between her and
oo Lansing"
What's that?" demanded Oliver,
rtled.
n guess it's all happened since you
went away. Docs only been prac-
.-ns here since last summer. Fine
leler."
n don't seem to remember him." said
oliver, duly. You say she's-er-in
lhre with him?"
Looks that WY" said Sammy, in
differently. He's dead gone on her,
that's sure"
Presently Mr.. Baxter cackled. He
was in high good humor again.
'Serepty Grimes just can't wait to
see you" he declared. "You know
Sues keeping house for me now"
Aunt Serepta keeping house for
Your"
Yes. l thought that people would
o' sure to talk if she came over and
lived at my house. But the cussed part
Of i is, nobody thinks there's anything
@andalous about it. There hasn't been
lerned bit of talk. What the dickens
e YOU laughing at, SamT'
Just ran over a hen," lied Sam
promptly.
lune was well along before Oliver
.eSan seriously to contemplate bring
.as his self-styled vacation" to an
s'a. May had been glorious Even
,"' sinister stretches of Death swamp
0.'oNs which he looked from the oak
s..aed citadel that he would always
"t nome, were not so repelling as
"Ty had been in days of yore. The
".r'd was beautiful.
"FIhg the first week ne spent many
Y" ~ care-free hours with Jane Sage.
NE evening, lounging or her porch,
"7 AsGed her suddenly: