Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-03-12
MACS and CUPID MIX
BY HARMONY WHEELER.


with his regiment to the front, his
chief regret was the fact that he must
leave his birds and flowers in the care
of strangers. The young officer had
hobby for rare songsters and still more
rare flowers and had nurtured them
most devotedly in his small but lovely
domicile in the London suburb. His
concern over their welfare was deep.
He felt that only one who loved birds
and flowers could understand and care
for them according to their sensitive
demands.
The advertisement he inserted In
the papers was human and appealing
and brought a quick response in the
person of Marina Vance. She having
hidden her sweetheart good-by when
his regiment had gone forth to battle
felt thatNshe must do something to &C.
cupy her mind and rid it of the horror
of visualizing the scenes of the battle
ground
Captain Blake knew the moment he
saw Marna's face light up at sight of
his birds and flowers that they would
be in perfect care during his absence.
He went off to the front with light
heart Marina took possession of his
home and his old housekeeper re-
| joiced In the presence Of mistress.
An communicative male person was
at times trying as master.
"a 4.
| tlefield only one of the many deeds
of valor was the going out under fire
of Private Young of the Bucks Light
infantry to save wounded officer who
had fallen. Young, though shot through
the shoulder himself, carried Captain
Blake back to safety. They were both
almost across the great border, but
awakened to recover in the base hos
pital in Paris. Captain Blake, realizing
that he owed his life to Private Young,
offered him all that he had to offer for
the time, and that was lasting friend
ship Young also received the Victoria
Cross a short time later.
When they could be moved from the
| uOOplIdl DldhO lnoloICo thuS \ Suh6 6S
with him to the suburban cottage to
recuperate.
The little English nurse who was
ministering angel to some twenty
wounded men and who had admins.
tered to them during eight weeks with
out full nights rest, took charge OF
them even to the moment when they
were put on the hospital ship and
transferred to England. She too, was
in need of rest.
A great wave Of guilty Joy swept
over Private Young when he knew that
Blake had asked the little nurse tC
continue her good work and stay with
them until the last bandage was re
moved.
Marina stified cry when she caught
sight of the two once stalwart men be
ing tenderly helped from the bis
Limousine in front of the cottage. She
saw quickly that other hands thar
those of the little nurse were required
to get both into the house and she
went swiftly forward.
/ "Marna!"
"Davie!"
Those were the only words Captain
Blake and the little nurse heard, bu
they told their tale A pang sho
through the heart of the nurse, ant
she turned her eyes quickly away from
the sight of Private Young and thu
girl he had left behind him.
Captain Blake smothered an excla
nation, whether of pure amazemen
or newborn jealousy he did not know
Blake, because he was on quickel
road to recovery than Young, fount
himself constantly thrown into Mar
mas society.
And Young, feeling more Of cat
than Blake, knew himself to be II
love with the little nurse who CAV,
him such tender care.
Things reached climax on the da.
that Marina slipped from the percl
upon which she was standing in orde
to feed one of the birds. Fortunatel,
Blake was standing close beside heI
and save for his swift movemen
Marina would have had bad fall. HI
caught her in his arms and Marina
looking swiftly into his face, saw hin
turn pale. Her own eyes hid them
selves with sudden shyness. and whel
she erected herself and tried to thanl
him her voice refused to act without
telltale tremor in It,
, She slipped quickly away, leavin
\ Captain Blake glowing with the know
edge that Marina loved him.
The girl, with heightened color
went straight to David Young.
"Davie," she said softly and with
smile in her eyes, I'VE do not Low
each other as sweethearts, do we?
think" she added with dainty banter
that you are secretly pining for"
"Marna-you're darling!" Davi
said swiftly and put his good arr
! about her. He was kissing her O.
either blushing cheek when Capital
Blake and the nurse stood In the dool
way.
CONSERVATION reigned for momen
whom David and Marina Iookad ami