The Washington herald., 1915-02-11

two wounded men and a nurse she
was completely taken by surprise
She had known that both her sweet
heart and Capt. Blake had been
wounded in battle. but never had size
suspected that they. of all two men
at the front, should have happened
to meet and journey home together
Neither did she suspect that the sec
ond of the two crippled men coming
to the cottage for recuperation Was
her own David Young. Marina stlfled
a cry when she caught sight OF the
two once stalwart men being Icnder!y
helped from the big limousine in
front Of the cottage. She saw quick
ly that other hands than those OF the
little nurse were required to get both
into the house and she went swiftly
forward.
Marina"
"Davic'''
Those were the only words Capt. Blake
and the nurse heard. but they told their
tale pang shot through the heart
OF the nurse. and she turned her eyes
quickly away from the sight OF Private
Young and the girl he had left behind
him.
Capt. Blake smothercd an exclamation.
whether of pure amazement or new
born jealousy he did not know. He did
realize. however. that his thoughts had
strayed toward Marina during his weeks
ON the battle-ground more often than he
liked. Had he been aware of the en-
gagement existing between Marina and
David Young Blake might have saved
himself the loss Of dreams. AS it was.
he must without moments hesitation
put the thoughts of Marina from his
head. He owed his life to Young and ii
would be the act Of an migrate to look
upon his happiness with anything save
friendly eyes. These thoughts had pass
ed through Capt. Blakes mind the NOM
ent of his arrival home. and during the
ensuing days tde situation developed
alarmingly.
Blake because ne was on a quicker
road to recovery than Young found
himself constantly thrown into Marnas
society.
And Young. feeling more OF a cad than
Blake. knew himself to be in love with
the little nurse who gave him such ten
der care. He recovered slowly his men
tai state retarding progress. and there
were times when he wished that the bat
tlefield had claimed his body since it
had given him a hopeless love. Young
did not know but that Marina loved him
a she had when their VOWS were eX-
changed.
However. things reached a climax on
the day that Marina slipped from the
perch upon which she was standing in
order to feed one Of the birds. Forum
ately Blake was standing close beside
her. and save for his swift movement
Marina would have had a bad fall He
caught her in his arms. and MarnL
looking swiftly into his face, saw him
turn pale Her own eyes hid themselves
with sudden shyness. and when she
erected herself and tried to thank him
her voice refused to act without a tell
tale tremor in it,
She slipped quickly away. leaving capt.
Blake glowing with the knowledge that
Marina loved him.
The girl, with heightened color. went
straight to David Young.
"Davie," she said softly and with a
smile in her eyes, we do not love each
other as sweethearts. do We? I think"
she added with dainty banter. that you
are secretly pining for
"Marna-you' a darling" David said
swiftly and put his good arm about her.
He was kissing her on either cheek when
Capt. Blake and the nurse stood In the
doorway.
CONSERVATION reigned for a moment
when David and Marina looked smilingly
at the two in the dor.
We are just breaking our engage
ment.' they said in duet.
'Capital!'' said Blake, and the little
nurse blushed.