The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1948-12-23
Connie Comes Back :, i ssSp M sGSa5 ; Men

train was moving and BHfs stalwart
figure had slid out of sight.
The third day after she reached
Los Angeles, there was an air-mail
letter from Bill. She smiled when she
opened 1t, thinking that Bill always
said the same thing in his letters.
This one was no different. He wrote
in that vigorous scrawl of his: Dear
est, Hurry up and get your vacation
over. I'm so lonesome / stay at the
office until time to go to bed at
night. Tommy Longtail misses you
a lot too. Every night he me-ows
around the house asking me where
you are. I hope you'll soon be COM
ing back. A world of love and kisses,
Your Bill"
Everyday after that Connie had a
letter from Bill so much like the first
one that she always smiled happily
and contentedly to herself. Some
times she thought, with a tender lit
tie giggle, that Bill just might have
sent a carbon copy of the first one.
She and Mabel had a good time
going about in Mabel's car and Con-
ME was having lots of fun, although
she was getting little homesick.
Mabel leased her about it.
Then one day she had a letter
from Bill that was different, so diff
ferent that Connie read it with a
startled gasp 1t read:
my dear little wife, I've been
thinking things over, and I've come
to the conclusion that you must stay
in California just as long as you like.
There's no reason for you to hurry
home. So stay two or three weeks
longer, and have yourself a splendid
time. Yours, Bill"
Mabel laughed at her when she
said she was going home at once.
You two kids, never did see any,
body as much in love as you are"
Connie didn't tell her about Bills
letter and what he'd said about her
staying several weeks longer. This
was the thing Connie simply couldn';
1t was nice to have 0
but home was the sweetest
place on earth and when Bill didn't
seem to care about her coming back
so soon well, any woman would
hurry home. Bill had never been
like this before in his life He want
ed her with him every possible mo-
nent, but it wasn't because he was
selfish. He was the kindeSt, most
generous man in the world No mat
;sr what they were doing, or how
good time they might be having,
hey were not happy when they we're
lot together. Now It didn't seem to
make much difference 10 Bill. The
thought made Connie swallow q
mall sob.
At last, after interminable hours
N the train, the engine was snort
ng Importantly into the little red
rick station, and Connie was home.
There was Bill waiting (she'd wired
Jim, Of course) but he had a sort Of
ueer expression ON his face.
He took her arm when she stepped
rom the train. 81 didn't expect you
0 soon, Connie. I mean, I thought
:"
you wanted me to stay longer.
Why, Billp"
He didn't answer. They were in the
ar now and Bill put his foot on the
tarter. Connie said again, her voice
little tremulous, Didn't you want
lie to come back so soon, Bill? Why
ont you tell me?"
Bill got the car started, slowed it
own and looked at her. Didn't
amt you to come homep" His voice
'as almost like shout. Then he
miled, "You see, it was like this:
rrs. Barton told me just how selfish
was in writing and begging you to
urry home. She made me promise
} write and tell you to stay as long
s you wanted to. And I did, but oh,
oney, how wonderful it is to have
OIL backl"