Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1917-11-29
BEFORE THE WAR
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.


least that had been David's way of put
ting It.
But the "hunch," as David slanging-
~ expressed it, had been force so
strong that he had been quite unable
20 resist its urge. SomSthing, some
thrend Of destiny, had drawn him from
his exceptionally remuneratiye posi-
ton and tied him firmly into the army.
SO David went mis- way in Khaki and
Airline continued her life, missing
David far more than she had reckoned
on. A year or two dragged past. Ar
line found one or two men whom she
accounted friends, but from time to
time she compared them with David
and found them lacking. She was not
aware that she was comparing 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 its horrible way
In Europe before Airline realized that
soldering was noble calling. She
knew, too, that should America join
the conflict, she would want more than
anything in the world to be In posi-
ton TO help her country and It's brave
men.
Not knowing that she, too, was the
victim OF bunch, she went to one of
the great New York hospitals and
found herself making definite arrange
ments TO enter as probationary
nurse. II was fortunate that there
was a vacancy.
airline figured that, entering the hos
pital In 1914, she could be trained
nurse In 1917 and should the war con-
tinue so long she could go and help in
a foreign hospital.
She did not like hospital work, II
was the last profession she would have
asked Of herself. but she struggled des-
And stlIl Airline was unconscious that
She, too, was following that mysteri-
GUS thing called a bunch, even as Da-
yid had followed his. All unknowlng-
~ she was steering her bark to the
head Of the stream where she and Da-
vld had parted.
She was In her third year Of training
when America entered the world con-
ilct. Khaki-clad men were everywhere
and sons Of the navy In blue and
white.
The first time she saw battalion
Of soldiers, new to 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
feet.
AS she lay on that slim little bed in
the slim little room 1t suddenly oc-
Cured to Airline that some power of
which she had not been conscious had
prodded her along this nurses path.
She knew too, that David had been
guided along his soldering way In
that mysterious manner He now
would be one of the first TO go over
seas Mt his countrys call.
And with this personal remembrance
of David Il sharp little pang stabbed
her heart, Dayid'S feet would be shut
fling even as those OF the marching
men whom she had seen; David would
march to battle; David would enter
the firing line; David might. Ar
line shrnnk from the thought of what
might happen to David.
Without n moments hesitation she
went down TO the office and teephoned
Dayid's home. She had not forgotten
the familiar number.
She had only expected to get his aa
dress from some member Of the fam
lily. but DayId's voice answered her.
When each had recovered from the
palpit0tug silence that followed the
hearing Of the others voice after prac-
tically five years OF separation, Airline
snid softly:
David, | wanted to tell you before
either Of us Is called to the other side
that | understand why you Joined the
army, lunches are great, big, won
dcrful things In Ufe. l am sorry I |
spoke TO YOU as did and want to know
II You have forgotten me. I will finish !
my work at the hospital IN two months !
aud hope to sull with the first lot Of |
Red Cross nurses. l don't want to 20 |
away without seeing YOU
Airline hlushed houy. Dawd's laugh |
over the phone was SO possessiye and |
40 tender Airline had not known II
laugh could be SO thrilling.
and / don't want to 60 without see. |
ing-and marrying you, Airline" Da- |
vids voice was steady. 1--WE have |
loved each other all this time Ikuow
II and 7 think you do, dear"
4 have always had bunch thar |
some wonderful thread OF destiny
would bind US together, dear" David |
said very softly
Copyright, 1917 by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate1
New Glass Industry.
The commercial spinning Of glass
has been lately reported as new Ven.
ice industry. The straight tibers. IN