Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 295, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1918 — HELEN’S PROMISE [ARTICLE]

HELEN’S PROMISE

By MISS DOMINICA TRACY.

(Copyright, 1918, by McClure Newspaper .* Syndicate.) „■ . ... v . Helen Crawford, brown eyes sparkling, yellow curls bobbing, tripped*along the little winding path which led. from the old farmhouse to the open fields where she had been gatheringblUeberrles to bring home for breakfast. ■ • Helen made a pretty picture as she walked along the sub-flecked lane thl» early summer morning in her crispgingham frock with the basketful of luscious berries swinging carelessly on her arm. Her mind dwelt pleasantly on the festivities to take place that afternoon at the largest house of thevillage. ‘ The Rawsdons, but recent inhabitants of the little town of Banfield, were to give a lawn party in honor of their nephew, Philip, who was shortly to leave for the front, and .who, being a stranger to the young people of the town, was therefore awaited with keen interest by them. Absorbed by her own thoughts Helen did not hear the clatter of an approaching horse, until, rounding a curve in the road, she found herself directly in its path and had but Scarcetime to step quickly to one side, but alas and alack in her excitement Helen , dropped the precious basket and the ripe berries rolled out directly beneath the horse’s hoofs. Helen gave a little cry of dismay, the rider drew rein, and Helen glancing up was to meet the merry eyes of a handsome young officer. ■ Saluting her politely., he said: “I cannot tell you how sorry I am for having caused you to upset your basket. I did not expect to meet anyone so early and so I was riding' carelessly in the middle of the road r instead of keeping to one side.” Helen smiled brightly and pointed out that fortunately some of the berries were still In the basket, and picking it up she nodded smiling and walked on. A sudden thought struck the young; officer and turning around he called after her: “I hope we shall meet at the. lawn fete my aunt is giving this afternoon, as I understand all the young people of Banfield and their elders are to be present.” “Yes, indeed, I shall be there,” she answered, “and T shall doubtless see you, as I have been chosen to help serve the refreshments.”* At three o’clock, Helen looking prettier ever in her pink dress and drooping leghorn hat, was busy serving ice cream to some unusually spick-and-span little boys, when her soldier acquaintance of the morning joined the group, and persuaded Helen to help him eat some strawberry ice cream and cake, a zealous young waitress had pressed him to accept, and which he declared was altogether too much to be eaten by a single human being. ** v-., Seated at a little table Philip told her that he was to return to his home In New York the next day, to spend the last few days with his parents before sailing. He asked her permission to write, and when Helen consented he said: “As soon as I am’able I will send you my address from ‘Over There,’ but will you promise to write?’’ Helen, suddenly grown shy, blushed, as she answered: “I promise," and in the bashful brown eyes Philip thought he read more thank the promise of » letter. . ’