Evening star., 1943-01-03

h Davy All these traers here in the railroad park where
the community flower gardens were!
Look this way instead Nancy At my impressive rubber
pile mean at my overly Jealous Scouts impressive rubber
pile Doggone did have time taking back the gaden nose
they snitc1ed in the name of patriotism!'
He headed the out of town. down the winding wooded
river road Green fields rolled away from the thoroughfare
and black with the smell of freshly turned eart
Wild phlox wild crab made purple and pink patches the
woodlands How familiar - and dear it all was! The path
of life in bit of world untouched.
Untouched? The challenge of the word hung Nancys con-
scousness like cigarette smoke in quiet atmosphere
OUr in the field her right farmer riding his COM
planter this Sunday morning and David was saying Uncle
Eric shouldn't be working weekdays and Sundays at his
But his hired man is in an ordnance plant"
Nancy turned her head look back at Uncle Eric You
know David she said the way heard was that the little
in the sticks don't know there's war going on
But everywhere I've turned, I've I've seen - She
choked up with emotion
you've seen folks back doing their flag waving with
out benefit of uniforms and brass bands" David asked quietly
And that's what you're doing, Davy! she gulped
He flushed turned onto trail leading into the timber, ask
ing quickly Hows about voets for your dinner table
He stopped the car around with his brave limp and
gave her his hand Nancy was startled that touch she had
thrilled in her adolescence could be 50 well She
cried about the voets and fell to picking hem but her
hands reached blindy, for tears sreamed from her
In her ears dmned the whine of bombs and cries of
Mangled flesh and lmbess bodies black spots obscng
her von still tying her knots that tense read
ness for death at any moment.
And like overtones here Sunday morning, the
Path of Life the of leaves rsted by spring wind
the call of chewnk Sweet bird sng! these voets, lush
under unshattered oaks; this peace this security
Nancy what this emotion was this emotion deeper
oy deeper than grief 1t love Love of the place she
had FROM these woods and fields and shaded village
streets; and of the path of life which in them.
and Dayd bringing his His fingers fingered on her
hands, You've been crying, Nancy You're still weak You've
been through - 50 much
eyes," she said and lifted her head Sometimes, Davy,
there I've been just about sunk with the seeming ftty "
who hasn't been?"
Men fighting for domination of worthless bare rock
desoate bit of sky water; goatng many enemy
killed Did they what they killing for? Did matter
to them personality 1t almost didn't me- at the worst
times"
1T doesn't make sense to any of u.s. sometimes, Nancy
Il had to go away and come back, to see, Davy."
'To see" he asked gently, lust what?"
THE pattern The path of life Here in the little towns
specic can see and feel -wat fighting for.
For the little towns are the concrete Da "
DAvD swooped her up and stood her stump mot that
YOU need he said You're good politician any day.
But his voice was all roughened and his lower lip twisted in
that way it had
"Pm not Grating" Nancy said I'm thinking out loud.
Go way you can't stand it, But her hands his