The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-27
A Belgian
War Romance
BY LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

One quiet evening In the summer of
1918 pair of young lovers stood on
a bridge that crossed the river Lys, In
Belgium. They were there for part
ing. The young man was to leave for
the coast early the next mo.ning and
thence for America. Nothing could be
more peaceful than the scene about
them. young moon stood In the
west II an occasional breeze stirred
the leaves on the trees they were stir
red lightly. AS for sound. there was
only slight gurgle beneath them as
the current passed the abutment of the
bridge.
Nina" said the young man. "cheer
up 1t will not be long before in Amer.
lea ] shall have saved enough money
to send for you. That we may have
definite time to be reunited ! prom
lse you that one year from today. If
not before, you shall receive the pas
sage money to bring you to me-"
"And l, Hans, will work and save
so that If you do not succeed in gain
ing enough to send for me may have
enough for the journey"
When the year had passed a great
change had come over Belgium. The
Germans were pouring into the coun-
try from the east. the French from the
south. Wilhelmina had received let
ters from her lover in New York that
money would be sent her for her pas
sage. but before it was dispatched the
war had stopped the mails.
On the anniversary of their parting.
at evening, Wilhelmina went to the
bridge on which they had stood year
half of 1t having been destroyed. Here
and there across the fields were flashes
followed by distant roar of guns,
while searchlights sent their columns
Of light across the sky like the tails of
nearby comets.
been that day in the line Of fire and
was a ruin. Before leaving 1t she had
snatched up her savings. and these she
had with her. Standing there in the
Identical spot where she had stood IL
quiet with her lover, she resolved tC
go to him If possible.
There was no way of announcing heI
coming beforehand. She had neither
writing materials nor way to send
a letter. Indeed. 1t was doubtful il
even she could break through the lin.
Of war to reach the coast And If she
arrived at port would she find yes
sci? Nevertheless she turned her face
toward Holland and set off in the da rk
ness.
Her adventures are long story by
itself. Fortune favoring, she reached
Rotterdam in safety and there foun6
that she had the means to buy steer
sge ticket on an outgoing steamer tt
New York.
On the arrival Of the vessel the eIni
grants were landed at Ellis island, ant
Wilhelmina among others was brough
before the emigration commissioners
There she was asked how she woult
be provided for in America. ana wheI
she said that she had no money sh,
was told that she would be sent bacl
to Holland
Her modesty. the consciousness tina
she was coming to marry man with
out a special bidding. had caused he
to conceal what she expected. Be
sides, suppose Hans had changed
But the prospect of being sent baci
to land running In blood. where ever
the little home I'm which she had beel
born and always lived had been level
ed, overcame her reticence. and sh
told love story that no pen, howeve
inspired. could put on paper.
"Hans must be foundw
Such were the instructions given t
a messenger. who departed on his Ell
| rand.
There is a committee of Belgians fl
New York whose purpose 1t is to lool
after their incoming fellow country
men. The head Of the committee wa
found. and he In turn started a hun
for Hans.
Ever since the war had broken ou
Hans had been anxious about his WI
helmina. He had not dared to send he
his savings for fear they would be los
Indeed. one of the troubles brought o
by the war was the inability to sen
| funds to Europe. He had written hel
but without expectation that she woul
receive his letters. AS to receiving le
ters from her, he had no faith in tina
| either.
Hans was at work one afternoo