The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-12-01
How an American
Soldier In France
Took on Chains
By F. A. Mitchell

Guilford had lived In Paris several
years when the pan European war
broke out He at once enlisted IN the
Foreign legion and went to the front
with the American corps. He was q
handsome fellow and had q winning
way with him. Women were easily
attracted to him. There was an au-
dacity about him that took well with
them.
One day Guilford was knocked sense
less by the bursting Of a shell. He
was carried to the rear on q stretcher
to field hospital and put In charge
Of Red Cross nurse. Coming to him.
self suddenly and seeing beautiful
face bending over him, he threw his
arms around the woman to whom It
belonged, drew her quickly down and
kissed her.
A. soon as his arms were loos-
ened the nurse arose and without
word left him. But she sent surgeon
to him. who examined him and found
he was in nowise injured except for
the shock he had received. Within an
hour he was up on his feet, going to
rejoin his command.
Guilford did not forget the face Of
the nurse nor the look she gave him as
she rose and left him. He was very
much ashamed Of himself. The nurse
had been ready to succor him; he had
returned the care she would have be-
slowed ON him by insulting her. He
could have cut of the arms he had
thrown around her; he could have
blighted the lips he had pressed upon
hers.
Guilford was struck again, this time
not with soft dirt thrown up by a
bursting shell, but by shrapnel. As
luck would have 1t. he was placed
second time under the care Of the
nurse who had attended him before.
He recognized her at once. but whether
she recognized him he could not tell.
She regarded him with that impressive
look usual to those accustomed to see
suffering, brought restoratives as the
surgeon directed and otherwise minis
tered to him. r.
A number Of sick and wounded men
were under her care, and she treated
all alike. Guilford received his share
Of her attentions and no more. He
wished to apologize for his action
toward her when he had come under
her care before, but she gave him no
opportunity--that Ii, she kept such
reserve that he was unable to break
through 1t. He said something about
having been indebted to her for kind
ness ON 4 former. occasion, but while he
was saying It she seemed to be thinking
about something else. Before he could
make up hfs mind to break through her
reserve and express bis penitence she
was transferred to.another ward.
Guilford received letters necessitat-
ing his presence in America, and since
it was not probable that he would be
f1t for service again fol- long while,
he succeeded ii getting a discharge.
Before crossing tn. Gesan he resolved
to find the nurse whom he had treated
so wrongfully and ask her forgiveness
therefor. Guilford made inquiries for
her and was told that she had been
worn out by long period OF nursing
and had gone to her home in Paris for
rest.
Guilford learned her address, intend
ing to go to see her and get the burden
that was troubling him off his mind.
He dreaded putting an ocean between
him and the only woman who had
shown toward him-what? That was
the trouble with him; he was in the
dark as to her treatment Of him. How
singular that she should have treated
him exactly the same as hundreds Of
others who had not offended her!
As soon as he arrived in Paris he
took a conveyance and told the driver
to take him to the address that had
been given him. What was his sur
prise to be driven to q handsome resi-
dence in the most desirable part Of the
dwelling portion Of Paris. Leaving the
cab he looked at the house and wanted
to get back into the cab, It had not
occurred to him that the woman who
had been nursing soldiers might be an
aristocrat. The fact only made him
feel the more culpable.
How could he, an American, face a
lady, perhaps Of rank, whom he had
treated as il she had been q barbarian?
But he was resolved that he would not
leave France without setting himself
right with her. He sent up his card,
OH which was written lone who has
received your kind attentions in a field
hospital"
When mademoiselle came down to
meet the caller she stood for mo-
ment on the threshold regarding him.
Again that impassive look Then she
advanced into the room, bowed to him
tremendously and asked him to be
seated. He spoke Of the good work
she had done at the front; Of the poor
fellows who had been benefited by her
tender care. He commended her espe.
cially that she, lady surrounded BY
comforts in a splendid home, one who
would grace society, should have as
suned the duties Of a nurse for men
brought in from q battlefield. -.