The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1917-11-09
BEFORE The WAR
~ DOROTHY DOUGLAS.


position to Join the army. He had given
no reason for his desire TO become
soldier save that he had "hunch. AZ
lenst that had been Dayid's way OF put
ting IT,
But the "hunch." MS David slanging-
IN expressed Il, had been force 20
strong that he had been quite unable
10 resist Its urge. Something some
thread OF destiny. had drawn him from
his exceptionally remuneratiye posi-
ton and tied him firmly into the army.
So David went his way in khaki and
Airline continued her life, missing
David far more than she hnd reckoned
on. A year or two dragged past. Ar
line found one or two men whom she
accounted friends, but from time to
fine she compared them with Dnvld
and found them lacking. She was not
aware TINT she was-conparing- them
with David and would have scorned
herself for II. David had deliberately
left her to join the army, and she
did not even know that her erstwhile
sweetheart was now Lieut.. David
Cornwall.
War began blasting It's horrible way
in Europe before Airline realized that
soldering was a noble calling. she
knew. too, that should America join
| the conflict. she would want more than
anything in the world TO be In a posi-
ton TO help her country and It's brave
men.
Not knowing that she, too, WINS the
victim OF bunch, she went 70 one OF
the great New York hospitals and
found herself making definite arrange
ments to enter MS a probationary
nurse. II was fortunate that there
was vacancy.
Airline figured that. entering the hos
pltnl IN 1914, she could be a trained
nurse IN 1917 and should the war con.
,Inue SO long she could 20 and help In
a foreign hospital
She did not like hospital work. Il
was the last profession she would hnve
asked Of herself. but she struggled des-
pernteiy with duty's grip about her.
And stlll Airline was unconscious that
she too, was following that mysteri-
Gus thing called bunch. even as Dn-
yid had followed his. All unknowing-
~ she was steering her bark 70 the
head OF the stream where she and Dn-
yId had parted.
She was In her third year Of training
when America entered the world con-
diet. Khaki.clnd men were everywhere
aud sons OF the navy In blue and
white.
The FIRST time she saw a battalion
OF soldiers. new 20 khaki. hiking along
the city streets, her heart squeezed up
into her throat.
when she returned 10 the club for
probationary nurses near the hospital
and went into her narrow room and
flung herself on her narrow white bed
she still heard that steady shuttle Of
marching feet.
As she lay on that slim little bed In
the slim little room II suddenly oc-
CURED to Airline that some power Of
which she had not been conscious had
prodded her along this nurses pnth.
She knew, too, that David had been
guided along his soldering way III
that mysterious manner. He now
would be one OF the first 10 70 over
seas at his country's call.
And with this personal remembrance
OF David sharp little pang stabbed
her heart David's feet would be shut
ding even as those he marching
men whom she had seen; David would
march to battle; David would enter
the firing line; David might. Ar
line shrank from the thought Of what
might happen 10 David.
without moments hesitation she
went down to the Office and telephoned
Davld's home. She had not forgotten
the familiar number.
She had only expected to get his nd
dress from some member OF the fam
lily. but Davfd's voice answered her.
When each had recovered from tho
palpltating silence that followed the
hearing OF the Others voice after prnc-
tlcally Ave years OF separation. Airline
said softly:
| DuNlut 4 Wuutcu " ttit lNuf NNA"AN
either OF us is called to the other side.
that l understand why you Joined the
army. lunches are great, big. won
derful things In life. am sorry
spoke to you as did and want to know
II you have forgotten me. win finish
my work at the hospital In two months
and hope to sail with the FIRST lot OF
Red Cross nurses. don't want TO 90
away without seeing YOU"
Airline blushed hotly. Dayld's laugh
over the phone was so possessive and
SO tender. Airline had not known q
laugh could be so thrilling.
| "And don't want to go without see
ing--and marrying you. Airline" Da-
vid's voice was steady, 1--WE have
loved each other all this time. know
II and / think you do. dear"
II have always had bunch that
some wonderful thread Of destiny
would bind us together. dear" David
said very softly.
| Copyright. 1917. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per syndicate.)
New Glass Industry.
Tho aornu.orciol ur,fnr,irr ~ .Iatm