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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 1918)
I Stories of 4 temtm. audi luov A CHANGE OF MIND By Walt Gregg ow Adversity Will Alter the Viewpo Int Ad R. HOWLAND stood in the palatial door way that formed an effective screen to hit apartment on the upper drive. -Well, Martha." Tie said soberly, I'm coins I'm go ing lo mar. Fart it, I've got to go nd " be hesitated a moment and cast a searching glance in the direction liis graceful young wife, as she stood serene in her magnificent height watch ing Mary, the maid, set the dinner table for their evening meal. Suddenly her eyes became (Slated like thost of a leopard eat She scrutinised her bu-band closely, lor she had fears, after a speech like that, that Norman might have stopped at his club before coming home. "To what ?" she echoed with a hol low sound fat her voir. - "To war to France," Norman repeat ed in a calm, even voice, GAINING A NEW GRIP KD now Mrs. Ray was convalescing. Once again she was bravely making the fight for aa in definitely prolonged existence here oa this terrestrial globe. ' Along came her weigbbor, Mrs. Gay. "Good morning, Mrs. Ray. So glad to see you out How are you feeling this morning?" "Fine, thank you," was Mrs. Ray's reply. "Oh, you always say fine Now -you must be careful this time. Don't over do. Take things easy. Just let things go. Your family will get along some how. Don't try to breathe for them. Suppose they should have to get along without you? Just remember that" And Mrs. Gay went gayly on her way. Good advice if only it had not gone too far. A PRACTICAL LT, Keflle." Rob pew tested. "I have the license and we have made arrangements i the sniaister for tuiam ioa afteraooa. Essryusso expects as so be aeiarried and ia we explain changing your mind at the last minute? Besides, you say ym still love me, and I am sure yoa can aot doubt my love for you." "Rob, I am a praetirat woman, as I have told yoa dorens of times, and love h not the only thing to make a happy marriage. The paper rays today that potatoes are 90 rents a peek and ether rhiogs will advance In proportion. How ran we afford to get married if I stop work, sod we agreed that it would be lt for ass to etop at the end of the month. One sheeUd look at these things sensibly. II oar friends want aa es- v.--"i----.,.. Mi lii-Vs hew LOVE LETTERS THAT WIN Ceatrtbsted by 1. I. H. , LAK WIFkv-1 am .Vm thinking el you to night although we are far apart To night sad every night I think ef yve ad king fur you for the touch ef your band, lbs sound A of your thrilling voice, the love which shines from your wec eyes. I close any eyes, deer love, tad pie line you ia lauutaad difletsut ways, 1 e you at break at sweet radiant sad lotous with happy asorumg saints. I pui hi e you at the piano, the soft I glil falling upoa your gltriou hair, your under ful bands running lightly srr the keys, llie clear, brauiilul notes I I s-i.iji suae ailing the room wilh tli'ir srtrlody I I eel the fiaaisnce of your presence, the magical rhaim ut oui love aur io i.i 1 1 as as. - I am ifutW mi lit Ike joy sod wonder c-l it Nothing raa srjal us sweetheart, betaut we lose ca.b other. I see thine. CLOKIjK. ( eetrlbeted by fi. B. 0. Somewhere ta the Field. Dtr Girl Surprised ia setting this? "Norman, you're fooling surely why, its preposterous yea simply can't leave me why" Mrs. Holland's pent-up emotions burst upon her husband like a torrent "Why. Nor she quieted down to her softer tones in a moment by way of persuading her husband to change his mind about what she considered his lat est hobby. Why, Nor " she repeated coyly, "you must reconsider a thing like that" "Yes, Martha, it's true. You don't understand, of course. You're woman, and " "You think, then, that women don't understand anything, Norman How land?" his wife flung at him in mock ery. "You think we women don't know anything about living and life and what must be and yes," she stopped now and caught her breath, "and war yes, war. Y'ou think we women don't under stand" Norman held tip a detaining hand to check her uncontrolled speech. The fight was a still one. The strug gle was imminent But the first and fore most implement in this war for suprem acy was courage. Courage first last and always. A sprinkle of cold water dashed over one's courage the first thing ia the morning when hope it renewed and expectant does not always daunt one's spirits, but in the afternoon or at aiglrt it is not so easily shed. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Ray I How are you getting along? Isn't it fine yon are out again? Too bad you have had such a siege) Now, do be careful this time. You know you are aot very strong. You ought to have a good spring tonic," advised Mrs. Ridout, who had stopped a moment at the curb with her automobile chugging the while. Mrs. Rajr was obliged to remain stand ing oa the walk for several moments while this and more similar advice was tiered. That evening found Mrs. Ray reclin WOMAN ptanatiea tell thera the truth. The high cost of Bviag ia enough te discourage anyone with less than (5.000 a year." "But, dearest, I am making $30 a week and there is that thousand in the bank to boy furniture with. Surely we have snore to start oa than many young folks. "That it aot the point, Rob. . I have told yoa ever and ever that I will not be content with an uncertain future and all the hardships of my BiOjlhrr's life and my childhood repeated. I am not mercenary ahd we could live nicely on 130 a week and save something if the price of food were at they should be, but with potatoes at 90 coats a peck I wiQ aot try ft One should consider the possibility of children. We both agree that people should have children and it is the duty of parents to tee that they have a start in life. It will take all we caa both earn to Ave oa now and there is svs aeed of thinking of getting mar No asore as than I ant ia sending it But I m just thanking yoa for the casual aseasage you sent through Sis. "My love to the little brother in the trenches.'' Jt kelps, believe me though ou prob ably wrote it much as you would have written. "Yes it is a nice day." You see, dear, tbey got me, and slang ily speaking, they got trie good. Kiglil shoulder. And there is no possible chaise for recovery. Tbey haven't told me outright but I know. They're aw fully good to me here at the hospital, hut sometimes, lilil girl I'm most Iran tie in warning my old Canadian bills snd you Can you imagine anything more for lorn than a wounded little trencher, 3,00 milrs from home, with an awful a' he in bis shoulder, writing to the only girl he ever loved, wbo doesn't Car a tap for hue? I know something more forlorn--tans lull trencher, with aot eten t girl be loses. I was at training when they wrote from hum that you had married. Dear, the shoulder aJi is heaven lo Ihe heart ache I carried sroend and down into the trenches. But year's sight of universal lain and heart he softened my ewa heartache until I can just be happy for yeu, and giad that you r not missing mi Besides ia the lew hours left, I'll "Just like you, Martha; fly right into a rage over nothing. Wait," he said, evenly; "wait until after dinner and we'll talk the thing over sensibly. Just listen to what I've got to sy and then when I'm through I'll listen with unrestricted attention to you." An hour later Norman, delicately fin gering his after-dinner cigar, opened the conversation once again. "What I was going to say," he began, "was that I've simply got to go to the war.' It's a case of my going or the draft getting me. And in the long run, counting out the fact that I ought to do my bit, I'm going." "Why cant you stay -at home and serve the government in the most ac commodating of ways? Can't you float some of the big Liberty loans for Uncle Sam and do your bit that way?" she asked him, eagerly. "Little girl," he said gently, now, "I'm sorry it's going to be hard on you but just as hard if not worse on my Being ing oa the couch. Said Mr. Ray : "Now, what you need to do it get outdoors all you can. That's the best spring tonic I know of." "I quite agree with the outdoor part if" she paused. "If what r he asked. "If only I could get away from folks. If only I could be outdoors somewhere out of the face and eyes of queries and advice. If only folks were not so lavish with advice did not spread it on too thick. Tbey mean it kindly," she explained "But well, I would like to forget it myself." Mr. Ray's face suddenly beamed. "What do you say? I think I could arrange it if you and I could go out to the lake alone, without the children, the last of the week. Possibly I can manage to leave the office for three days." Mrs. Ray sat bolt upright. "Really?" "Yes, really." - "Oh! if only I could arrange to leave I ried. Send the license back and explain why you do so. If the government wants the right kind of people to carry en the race it should provide again! potatoes selling at 90 rents a perk. Rob left Nellie with a heavy heart, but he knew she was a woman of strong will and would keep ber word, so the license was returned and plans for the wedding cancelled. Nellie had struggled up from a poverty-stricken home, through, many dis couragements and heartaches, until new she felt aa if she could call herself a successful woman. Her near relatives were all dead and the Kved alone in a comfortable little kitchenette apartment. She had furnished it prettily sad en joyed her play housekeeping at only a home-loving woman caa. She earned f 18 a week at a bookkeeper, and on this she lived and bad saved enough to buy some linen, pictures, etc., for I Us home she and Rob planned to establish fai an live again happy jammers way back ia kid days, and be glad, because I know a lot ef chaps without evea a memory to cheer them. " I suppose before you get this I'll be somewhere in a far greater field tkaa any we know but it't all right whatever tome i. But if you could only be with me wiiea I go. I really guest I'd ak you to kiss me. I'm tired. So long Cealiibatod by K. M. T. My Liar ling Husband This letter is Ihe gift win. h I am preparing for you on this, our wedding anniversary, for, darling, my love for you is so great that never m the five years of tmr married life have I been able to capres it te you mi words. Oh, Geoge my darling, I knew you love ase destet thaa hie Itself. But even that docs out eapress the extent ef say love for you. All day uben I nail so longingly for the hour which brings you home to me, Ui love in my heart forms into words endearing Iml sentences which are meant lo be ahi'pered Is yea in the evening But oh, my husband when I am f it p d in your arms, words seem a iacribge, and fa utter words when our ejci talk self, but the fact remains I am no longer the banker I was. I am no banker. Martha I am helpless bankrupt." ' The realisation of the fact stunned the much indulged Mrs. Howland like a hammer blow. The shock was so great that she did not speak. She could not. She simply stroked the strong hand which held her and looked deep into his eyes. "All right, Nor," was all she said after a few minutes, "guess we can manage somehow. I'll get a position and you yon can go to the war and welt, you'll get paid something, won't you?" - Several weeks later Mrs. Howland, seek, humble end entirely submissive, walked from the elevator at the em ployes' entrance of the firm of Newhall t Co, dry goods, and took her place behind the lace counter with the rest of the girls. At noon she was tired, at 2 o'clock her back ached like toothache. She had Just a Breath of ReU the children! Wouldn't it be be heav enly!" she exclaimed. And so it came about. The children were left with a kind, motherly house keeper, and Mr. and Mrs. Ray found themselves in the great out-of-doors where the combined odor of coffee and bacon can not be excelled1 for an appe tiser. It was the tiniest rustic camp; and they were just playing house. Being early ia the season, the morning breezes were keen though invigorating. The sun's rays, growing more direct each day, helped wonderfully to supply the necessary ingredients for the spring tonic He was rowing the little red canoe. "My, but I haven't enjoyed life like this for many a day." " 'Monarch of all you survey,' " she answered, smiling. "My right there is none so dis pute,' " be added. A Story of a Man's Lost Position other apartment a little larger than this one. Nellie had not given notice at the of fice of hrr intended marriage as she had planned to finish out the month there. So she went to work as usual the fol lowing day and no one but a few inti mate friends knew of her changed plaas. At first she saw Rob several timet a week at usual ; but soon more and more time elapsed between his calls, and one day she realized that she had not seen hint for two weeks. The knowledge made a strange empty feeling in her heart She really loved him and hoped tense day Is marry him and the thought of hit leaving her life gave ber a feel ing of alarm. To months had gone by since the day she decided to postpone the wedding and for the first time in that period the felt a twinge of regret. For a moment there seeased to be asore important things than potatoes at 90 cents perk. Dan Cupid Makes Good In Writing so uaderslandingly fevea now, darling, I see your dear gray eye, with your very heart reflected ia them, and all the love of my heart rises lo mine ia re sponse), and whea our hand ruup re veals our innermost thoughts te eerh ether. But ea Ibis day ef dayt I want lo tell you seme.of my feelings for you, so I will try' to write the words that the sacred happiness of your presence drives sway. Oh, my darling, do yoa know thai m the evening,, as 1 sal by your feet with your dear hand so vibrant with love stroking my hair, I leave this earth and enter another world heavens, I know'' it i, for you pre there. Just you and I, darling; ao werdi can express these moments ef bliss. Bui you will understand, dear, for I knew it it aot enty ia my imagination that yeu ac company me. I know thai your whole being it sensitive to my every mood, as mine ia lo yours, that the spiritual mag netism, or whatever it it called that draws one to another, is ever present between us making our thought and feelings one. Ou, my husband, I nescr thought that life could bold such perfect happiness and above all married life, whuh I ia my ignorance was afraid to enter lest packed and unpacked and showed to cus tomers no less than two hundred boxes of lace that morning. 1 "Clerk clerk," she heard a rapping voice call. "What in the dickens is the matter with you?" the stout arrogant woman asked indignantly, "if you're sleepy why don't you go home. When I come to a store where I pay big price, I want service and I intend to get It" Her voire, her gesticulating, her sharp speech arrested the attention of the floorwalker in passing. "What's the trouble, madam?" 'he asked solicitously. "Is there something wrong, anything I can adjust?" "Why I" the arrogant woman argued indignantly, "that tall girl behind there hat let me stand here for at least ten minutes waiting to be attended to and The floorwalker - turned glaring eyes en Martha Howland, then commanded her in stern tones to report to his office at once. The arrogant woman got her Life A The twinkle ia her eyes was good to look upon. "And that's the best part of it. None to dispute; none to advise; none to care whether " and here she broke of! sud denly. "Oh, I've got 'ira ! I've got 'iml No, don't reel it! Let me get 'im! I can do it!" He kept oa rowing. Hand over hand the line came in. Sometimes with a strong, steady pull, sometimes like magic. And then one swift motion and there it lay flopping in the bottom of the canoe. "That's a dandy I" he exclaimed. "Oh, you bcaotyl You handsome thing ! And I caught you all myself." How excited she was. "Yes, and without the net," he said "Why, I never once thought of a net I just can't reel them m. I'm sure to lose them if I do. I know real fisher men would laugh at me; but, never mind, I got him !" It was Saturday afternoon and a half holiday for her. On her way home she met Rob unexpectedly, and at the sight of his familiar figure she hurried for ward eagerly and said : "Rob, it has been a long time since I have seen you. Surely you are not going te drop me altogether." Aa she spoke she was startled at the change in him. His neat appearance had been her chief delight in the eld days, but now he teemed positively shabby. He needed a shave and bis fare seemed thinner than usual. "Let's go ever to the park and sit down," he answered soberly. "It it at warm as spring and I will not keep yoa long, but I want te say a few words to you where it is quiet." Silently Nellie walked beside him until they had found a bench and sat down. Then Rob spoke. "Yea showed better judgment than I we become like other married couples I know who lead hum-drum, unsenti mental lives. We thought we loved each other then, didn't we dear? But, ah our love lack ed the depth, the feeling of nearness ef being one and whea I think ef Ihe time we watted (yes wasted, for life did net begin 'for ut until our wedding day) from the day we discovered jod intend ed ut for each ether until we let Him make ut oas I feel guilty and remorse ful for making you nils so much ef 111' happiness. But I have tried to make up to you, dear, fof ever causing your dear heart to suffer and George, aiy husband, nev er ia thought word or deed will I make yeu suffer ag- Can it be possible thai it is is years since that happy day. It doesn't seem so to me, but wha I look si our two beautiful childrea I know il must be so, and my heart swells with thanks lo (tod. I closg my eyes now, dear, and Ay to you in spirit, and I know you will feel me close. You often tell me you do, as you work so hard in the! terrihl place. Oh, George, I do feel resentful when I think ef hew hard those dear hands have te work And oh, boor hard's try te tare that w may soon have our own lit tie home, and you can takt things casiet ; lace from another and more attentive clerk. "Why why where am I?" Martha was blinking her eyes in bewilderment as she gaaed about her in the dressing room on the tenth floor of the big de partment store. A little red-haired girl was holding smelling salts to her nose and fanning her gently. . "That's all right ; you're all right now, Girlie. You fainted on the way up to Mr. Parson's office end they took you in here. You're all right." Martha Howland sat up and looked around her. Then her gaze fell on lit tle Angela Cumirlins, who sat beside her in the rest room. "This is the girl who carried you in," began the little red-haired girl by way of introduction, but Martha heard no further. "You working here?" Angela com mented, astonished, as she now recog nized the familiar face of Martha How "Yet, you got hint; and never mind how. Won't the boys be delighted when they see mother's catch? Why, it must weigh five pounds. A beauty salmon !" was his comment "Now, let's tura and row with the wind," she said.. "And please let me row, so you can fish. This seems to be a good spot so let's go back." . "Do you really want to row?" "Sure thing! It's easy going bark. About all I need to do is steer." Drifting and steering brought them into deeper water. Silence reigned. She was absorbing the beauty of the sur rounding mountains. He was otherwise engaged, but she did not notice. "No, it isn't gone, either," he said. She looked. It jumped. "Oh, what was h?" Slowly, patiently, reeling in that never ending line, or so it seemed to her at last he landed rt thought wbea you refused to marry me, Nellie. I lost my job two weeks ago. Thry had to cut eapensei and the man ager thought I could be spared better than the man next to me. He has a wife and family, and, as the manager said, I have no one but myself to look out for. I have not been able to find anything else yet, so guru I am not much good after all." "There is the money you saved," Nel lie began, but Rob said quickly: "That went at the time my job did The day before my brother came to me with a hard-luck story about needing money to save hit little business with and 1 loaned him the thousand. He played the market and lest it the same day. So you see," he continued, "you are a lucky girl. Good-by. I am going to get out of here. Hope yeu still have belter lurk next time" s But Nellie caught his arm "Tell me By but if we gel to be millionaire., we can never be any happier, can e? Well my darling, I will soon have you borne now, so must gu get you a nice supper Oh, my George, I love you with aa intensity you alone know I am capable of. A love that can never change. May God bless you and our children, and make the remainder of our lit to gether at happy as the past ftv years aaaexaaaaa Your own Utile wife, MAMIK (eeLrfhaUd by B. . V. I epea my eyes and look up imo your weet solemn face and you smile dossn on me. Oik more I feel .those strong young arms encircle n and a crushing em brace at yea place your rhrrk against mine, and once more our lips meet in a carets thai aeemt lo last iernlly when at last you speak: "liear heart, w mutt go in; the cluck hat struck the midnight hour and 'lis growing chilly " Tenderly and unwillingly you place me on my feet and hand in hand walk through tli garden lo the house, but, William, dear William, you sr not with me! Vht hat happened? I rub my er-s and look around and before m is only the dimly outlined garden as teen from land. Mrs. Howland had been one ofi the most popular patrons of the store! before her husband's bankruptcy. "Yes," Martha Howland answered,, simply, extending her hand. "I've learned my lessor I shall never forget." She looked pitifully into An-' gela's eyes. "I shall never forget the' day I did the same thing to you be causeyou didn't wait on me quickly enough." "Oh that's all right, Mrs. Howland," Angela said, smiling, "only at that time' it was a little different. You nee labor wssn't so scarce then and I lost my job." "Please let me make up to you for it now." Mrs. Howland cut short the pain ful story. "My name from now on is plain little Martha Howland." "And mine," returned Angela, "is An gela Cummings and " extending beH hand in a friendly way, she added, "pleased to meet you." Martha had passed the first stage ln becoming a real woman. By Elsie Emms "A laker," she screamed. "G!o-ri-ous! And we've never caught one be fore Now won't the boys be wild?" , That is some catch. If we don't jet I any more. Guess that fellow is about as heavy as the salmon," he commented. "Oh, it's heavier, lots heavier. Isn't it great ou got it I'm so gladl Some body said lakers didn't jump. But sal mon for me. There is nothing quite so; thrilling for sport as landing a salmon."' The truth of hrr statement was plain-, ly written upon hrr countenance, which' he noticed. It was Hearing the end of the third day. "Hasn't it been glorious, just do ing as we jolly well please, with nobody' to ask once 'how do you feel?'" slie' said. And "how she has gained," he thoughti "She has gained a new grip on things." And then aloud he added. "Wish we might stay longer." By Harold Hass honestly, Rob, when you ate last Youl loot hungry,'' and before he could an swer she rose and half pulled him with her "You are going home wilri me to supper Let the neighbors say what they like. It is loo late to get a license to day, but you are to apply for one the first thing Monday morning, as tomor row is Sunday. In the meantime take thit $10. 1 ran spare it all right. I know of a place where you can get work. It only pays $15 a week, but I can keep on working as long as I want to. lift' is room enough and furniture enough in my apartment for us to get along wilh for the rest of the winter and we can. he as rory as can be. 1 am a prartiralj woman, as I have often said, and I'm not going to lei a good man lose his job a second time because he is single. lie sides, I love you, and that is every thing !" And that very day she had seen s sign) in s window: "Potatoes, $1 a peck!" Contributors my window Alas, I have been dieam-i tng! Yes, dear William, 'lis all a dreaiUjj with you as the ln-ro. I ne from the window wilh a siiili! and kneel to offer up a prayer that the) dear Lord may lecss you and keep you,, dear; that if it it bett we may tomrliini-j meet in that blissful dream called l"r. r.srr and lovingly yours, MARION. f.'eolrlbiitrd by (', F. These braulifu! lines I chanced upon not long time term prruliaily filled for al place among "Love liners," albeit tin)1 are addressed to a loved one who hasl passrd beyond : t I 'car, I am strong, and stoiking can for get you ; liear I can nerve my soul to fare llie niglll ; Hut, O, lirlov'dt I can aot face the asking, Can nol endure Ji lender dottiiing, light. After dep sleep, that seems lo cud all' sorrow, Mint I true ihe bitter fight ea, h dawn? Afler tweet dreams, svliuli t.od in inrr- ev send me, llu-l I aoakr and always find ;oU gone f