The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-09-01
HOW AMERICAN GIRL
FLED FROM EUROPE

woman had more than Is CEN
times in cash in the black MORE
baE she carried.
That was the widest night of
my life. Some of the time.
tried TO sleep, but wild, fever
ish dreams made sleep impossl-
Bile, and finally we sat by the
windows and looked down into
The Rue de Msthurin and up aud
down the street to the corners
where carriages and machines
tore past, all night, crowded
With soldiers.
Americans and all other for
eleners were leaving in great
numbers, whole families togeth-
er, hurrying along, sometimes
talking in shrill voices, some
times silence, which was worse.
hey were all on foot, for no
one but soldiers could ride in
machines and almost all the
horses were taken for the army.
NO one could take baggage
with him which he could moi
carry himself, and the people ID
arms and hands were full. Often
Two men carried a trunk be-
tween them. All night long the
life of Fhris streets went on.
ana fragments of 1t floated nm
10 us In sight and sound. The
cafes were fun OF men. Women
or the street piled their trade
diligently.
One of these women, a large.
oark' strange creature, can
never fofget. Her large hat and
lowered ample, silk waist
CLEANED up at me every time she
sauntered under a street Hight
SO unconcernedly she stroIls1
along, at midnight, and still
When the dawn came, always
with futfvo eyes, always flirting
the tiny. glittering white fan she
carried In her pudgy, beringed
fingers.
At O'Clock great coach
load OF Americans drove I'M 10
eur door. The relocated dri .
e. took down all the luggage
and rang the bell. Then he bear
upon the door, and roared at
Tire top of his voice.
They had engaged rooms. bnt
WOuiu not let them
IN. He put his head out of The
door and said many things 10
them. They answered him alao
many things, and the red-coated
driver piled the luggage on the
coach top again and drove them
away.
And SO that first night wore
on. The soldiers dashed bv in
motor cars. and the FOREIGNERS
Tucked out to the stations. TIE
cafe doors swung in and out. and
the little white fan elittared
slowly mp and down the stree,
Eh1ning wanly under the straef
lights. Now and then we would
hear the tramp or many feet.
and snatches of the 'Marseil.
laise sung by many voices. All
Paris was awake.
Up by our windows we had al
most forgotten our share of fbe
troubles, but sometimes we r.-
marked that we had no monev
that probably the train wouId -.
De given up TO soldiers for the
next Few days. that we werss
somewhat alone, and really very.
very much afraid. knew that
u was the experience OF a lffe-
time for which amy one OF the
American men I knew would bar.
ter his very soul. Hut I was nor
an American man, only an Amer
lean girl. and I dared not efoD
stRni1g - the Paris street, for
fear of sleep and feverish
creams from which waking
could bring no relief.
Morning came at last, and We
ate our rolls and coffee, for we
were not sure of another hotel
TO give us meals along with a
room and no money In advance.
No offices we're open, and we
went to the American consulate.
The crowds there were forming
into line to have papers of fden-
LITIGATION made out so that s
long stay in Paris, a. necessary.
would be safe.
We Joined the line. Perhane
IL was lack OF sleep which made
us do IL. for someway now II
seems foolish that we, whose one
chJect was TO find . way out.
we're seeking the only safn
means Of STAYING in When the