Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 February 1919 — THE CAPTAIN [ARTICLE]

THE CAPTAIN

By MARGARET L. AHERN.

(Copyright’ ’»»’ by ths McClure Newspaper •Syndicate.) Captain Wright carefully read the two Invitations before him. One, on heavy white linen paper, with a gold monogram, requested the pleasure of his company at dinner the following Sunday evening. The captain- laid the note on his desk and gazed out of the barracks window with a slightly contemptuous smile which might have been Interpreted in plain English as follows 5 “Aunt Alicia and Uncle Dan are all right, but they’d gtve me a ’ateencourse dinner of fancy stun that wouldn’t satisfy their strenuous nephew. And then there’d be Mildred Gorham Brooks for my dinner partner —with Mrs. Brooks and Aunt Allcln beaming on us when they thought we weren’t looking. And after dinner I'd have to listen to Mildred’s simpering chatter for two hours—or maybe she’d sing. I’d rather stay In camp over the week-end.”

The other invitation was a simplyworded note asking that "some lonesome boy, who is faraway from home” come to dinner tvith Mrs. dynes on Sunday at one o’clock. The letter went on to explain that Mrs. Jones’ son, .William, was a corporal in the captain's company, but that all of his Immediate friends In the company were from nearby homes. As the captain laid that note' aside there was a twinkle in his eye that meant: "Being twenty-eight, 1 may not qualify as a boy, but I’m lonesome. And judging from the boxes that Corporal Jones gets so often the pies ‘that mother used to make’ can be found In his home.” So It happened that the next Sunday Corp. William Jones received a great surprise. He had been sitting at the parlor window, comfortably ensconced in a ifiorris chair, with his feet-on another chair, and smoking, while he read the Sunday paper. Such privileges and ease were not allowed him in pre-war times, and William was making the most of the respect his family accorded his uniform. b rom the kitchen appetizing odors drifted In to complete his satisfaction. Occasionally he glanced out of the window to look for the expected guest. “Hope he’s a decent sort of a fellow, he muttered to himself.

Then his peace of mind was rudely disturbed. A gray touring car drew up at his door, with Captain Bright driving it. Before Bill’s startled gaze his superior officer methodically shut off the engine and locked the car, and then, climbing out, covered the radiator with a heavy robe. Bill jumped lip, littering the floor with the papers, and begun to fumble in his pockets. "Goodness, where’s my pass?” he spluttered. “And what on earth have I done_jiow?” He was still searching for his pass when the captain was ushered In by Mrs. Jones. She was a stout, motherly woman, and two sllyer b ars j “ khaki shoulder meant nothing to her until she saw her William standing stiffly at attention. Captain Wright snapped a sahite In return, and then laughingly shook hands with the discomfited corporal. “No more ceremony today, Jones.” His frank smile pdt Bill at ease. "I’m just a lonesome fellow with no place to go. And a mighty hungry one at that.” He sniffed appreciatively. "I don’t often have home-made apple pie.” Mrs. Jones beamed at this remark and the wily captain went on to further win her heart by telling her how lonely It was up In camp, with no folks to visit one and send delicacies such as the fortunate Bill received. Meanwhile, Bill, from whom all awe had departed at the signs of human nature displayed by his erstwhile commanding officer, had retired to the kitchen and brought his unsuspecting sister, Peggy, out to be introduced to their guest. As the captain told her long afterwards, “in a ruffly apron, covered with pink rosebuds, she looked like an angel ready to serve ambrosia.”

Needless to say, the dinner party was a great success, particularly the apple pie. After dinner the captain voluntarily assigned himself to K. P. duty, and became initiated into the mysteries of dish wiping. It is doubtful if he have been interested in manipulating a dish towel if Peggy had not been his partner ir the K.-P. work. • Afterward, he Insisted on taking them all for a long ride into the country. Peggy, of course, sat in the front seat with the driver, while Mrs. Jones, Bill and Bill’s girl, were In back. The captain’s invitation had been for dinner only, but It was after ten o’clock that night when he and Bill returned to camp. A sleepy orderly stared in open-mouthed amazement as his captain and Corporal Jones conversed in familiar tones about “driving home together next Sunday,” and then shook hands cord’ally at parting.