Evening star., 1943-02-07


scholarship committee regrets to inform
YOU +" So brief! So medically blunt! They
misht at least have written to the boy on COL
lese stationery. she thought This casually
tvped note, on plain paper. after Tommy had
labored 80 hard to make the grade.
She put it aside and attempted to straighten
out his desk And found another letter. This
one was on college stationery. the proud seal
cleaning at the top. 1T 10 with the greatest
of pleasure that We are privileged to inform
YOU ;" He had won it!
BEwnDERED. she looked at the date. Then she
understood. The letter had been written two
davs after Dads accident. With Dad unable
to work the farm alone, he knew he was
needed! Her hand trembled as she returned the
letter to its hiding place. The other one. the one
he had written himself she stared at 50 long
that tear fell on it. His badge of courage! His
banner held high! He was not boy. but a man.
ready to mask his hurt to protect those dear
to him.
Were all men like that? She thought Of Bill.
of his nights at the Office and knew. bitterly,
that they we're not. Afraid to be found crying.
she went to her own room and locked the door.
An hour later a knock on the door startled
her. Its Dad, Sally"
She repaired her face quickly and let him in.
He shut the door. sat down and gazed at her.
Quietly he said, Feel like telling your Pop
what's wrong. youngster?
Sally's heart faltered for moment. Wrong?
Why why. nothing"
maybe it's none Of my business" he said,
but phoned Bills Office while ago. Thought
I'd prod him into getting up here mite faster.
Girl at the switchboard told me he didn't work
there any more Snppy. too. Said he was fired"
Sally thought her heart would shrivel and
die. But her voice was level. almost casual -
every inch a match for the brave indifference
displayed by brother Tommy. "Oh. thatr'
she said "He got himself fired on purpose.
He has much better job now"
Afterward. she wondered where the words
had come from. and how she had managed to
keep the truth from her face. Bill. fired There
was a reason, then. for his lying to her about
working nights at the office!
She struggled blind,y with the turmoil of her
thoughts, trying to make the Bill OF the past
two weeks fit into the beloved. familiar mold
of the Bill she had married. Suddenly. rainbow
like, it was clear He needed help" her heart
cried, and didn't know how to ask for it! He
was too proud! Rather than lower his banners
before me- he turned to someone elser'
And she had left him!
She didn't cry. There was no time for cry
ing She had to 60 back - back to Bill i and
had to do it without letting Mother and Dad
know more than they should. Snatching paper
and pencil from her suitcase, she wrote quickly,
important deal on. Can you come back at
once? Bill" Then with the paper in her hand
she ran from her room. down the back stairs.
IoaaMY was mending harness in the barn.
She told him swiftly what she wanted. and he
was a good boy: he asked no questions.
Sure. Sis" he said. Il can make it to Elm
dale in half an hour on my bike" And he was
gone, the message in his pocket In Elndale
there was a telegraph Office.
Sally returned to the house and did her best
to keep busy She arranged flowers in the par
Ior. pushed the carpet sweeper. If only she
could pack her things and be ready to fly when
the phone rang But no - that would be dead
Givezv4v She had to apDeaf surprised, even