The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-05-29


Before putting .Iim's body in the
ground I took the ring Off his finger
and put II on my own. | seemed to put
on with 1t singular condition. 1t was
MS il two girys were waiting for me to
cUne back tS them. My troth had been
pledged to one, and felt in measure
bound-thD6ugh my lost friend-to the
other. Bit as 1t was not my habit to
try to gross bridge till got to 1t l
settled nothing in my mind rs to what
! would do in the premises. Indeed, 1t
appeared to me that Jim's plan for me
and his sweetheart was but fancy
OF his which had died with him.
The war lasted two years after jim
was killed and brought great changes.
chester and sent to hospital, where l
remained some months. A number OF
young women in those days came
down to devote themselves to nursing
soldiers. and it so happened that ! fell
under the care of young woman who
ministered to me. | am quite SURE
that it was due to her attention that
Il TtCONeTtu lIOib WOuhus
This being cared for by an attractive
woman was dangerous situation for
Il man to be placed in who had already
two women TO whom he might be said
to be in a measure bound. believe
there are more marriages resulting
from men being nursed by women dur
ing sickness than through any other
cause. | am ashamed to confess that
my betrothed and Jim's betrothed both
faded before my growing attachment
to my nurse.
Another weak spot in the situation
for me was that; not having my nat
ural physical strength, l did not have
my full moral strength. craved a
demonstrative sympathy from my
nurse and showed that craved it. AT
first l got only an indulgent nurses
petting. but little by little the barriers
were broken down between us, and we
became lovers.
The day l was discharged from the
hospital marked the close OF my mill
tary service, for the war had ended.
was surely in an unenviable position.
I was expected to go home and marry
my fiancee. i felt that l should pay
some attention to my dead friends
wishes, and l was in love with my
nurse, who showed willingness to
listen to my suit. What should do?
Providence was kind to me. for on
rejoining my regiment for the purpose
Of being mustered out of service
found letter from the girl to whom
had been engaged, but had not seen
for four years. 1t was long effort to
excuse herself for breaking her en-
gagement with me. She said that when
we parted she was little more than q
child, while now she was woman
She had recently met man who had
been very kind to her and had the
means to make her very comfortable
To refuse him would spoil his whole
life. This was the gist Of the matter
though II was spread out over sixteen
pages OF letter paper. II might have
been condensed into six words. "You
are thrown over for another"
released her joyfully, though In o
sorrowful letter. and an important
point Of my triangular complication
was Cancelled. 1t remained for me tc
go to Jim's sweetheart and see what
was in store for me there. could not
divest myself Of the feeling that
would soon forgive myself II l did not
do my part In bringing about what
haI 4 "a NJ
ter Of feeling rather than one Of honor
but the feeling was very strong. j
wondered II Jim had ever written bel
on the subject II he had and 1t ap
peared that her future happiness as O
wife depended on me would moi
shrink from acceding to Jim's plan.
tried to make up my mind to g
to see the lady and abide by what tn
meeting brought forth. but In cowardic'
we always prefer to write rather thar
take the bull by the horns" wrot'
her a letter telling her of Jim's wisl
and leaving it with her as to wha
should be done In the matter. ! receiv
ed kindly note In reply, couched II
delicate terms. the main feature y
which was that IL were fancy FREE
she would be happy to see me. bu
IL not the matter of Jim's wish nee,
not even be taken up.
This reply helped matters amazingly
I wrote her that I loved another. II
due time reply came releasing III
from any obligation to Jim. but invit
ing me to bring the ring for friendl.
visit. She had great desire to NEE
dear Jim's bosom friend.
I resolved to clear up this secOn
point at once. then go and offer m
heart and hand to the woman VIII
had nursed me. took train the mex
day and on arriving at my destination
| drove to the house and sent up IN
| card. Presently ! heard soft ste
| OH the staircase. and who should ente
but-my nurse.
| While | was paralyzed by astonlsi
ment. her face was covered wit
smiles and bushes. l stammere
something about remarkable coinc
dence. when she stopped me:
The coincidence is not here. It wa
in our meeting In the hospital, you a
| patient. | as nurse. And ! knew VIII
you were the moment ] saw the rim
Jim had from me the day he marche
away to the war"
did Jim write you