The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-11-09
BEFORE THE WAR
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

because DAVID hau given up splendid |
position TO Join the army. He had given /
no reason for his desire to become "A
soldier save that he had "hunch." At |
least that had been Dnvid's way of put |
ting it.
But the "hunch," as David slaEging-
ly expressed 1t. had been a force so
strong that he had been quite unable
to resist its urge. Something some
thread of destiny, had drawn him from
his exceptionally remunerative 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 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 1t. David had deliberately
left her to join the army, and she
did not even know that her erstwhlle
sweetheart was now Lieut.. David
Cornwall.
War began blasting It's 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 its 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. 1t was fortunate that there
was vacancy.
Airline figured that, entering the hos
pital in 1914, she could be a 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. 1t
I was the last profession she would have
asked of herself. but she struggled des-
perately with duty's grip about her.
And still Airline was unconscious that
she, too, was following that mysteri
Gus thing called hunch even as Da-
vld had followed his. All unknowing-
ly she was steering her bark to the
head of the stream where she and Da-
vid had parted.
She was In her third year of training
when America entered the world con-
fict. Khakl-clad men were everywhere
and sons of the navy in blue and
white.
The first time she saw a battalion
Of soldiers, new to khaki, hiking along
the city streets, her heart squeezed up
into her throat.
When she returned to 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 1t suddenly &C.
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 at his country's call.
And with this personal remembrance
Of David sharp little pang stabbed
her heart. David'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 shrank from the thought Of what
might happen to David.
Without, moments hesitation she
went down to the Office and telephonet
David's home. She had not forgotten
the familiar number.
She had only expected to get his ad
dress from some member Of the fam
lily, but David's voice answeredsher.
When each had recovered from tn.
palpitating silence that followed thu
hearing of the others voice after prac
tically five years Of separation, airline
said softly:
David, / wanted to tell you, befor
either of us is called to the other side
; that I understand why you Joined tn
army. lunches are great, big, won
) derfu things In life. / am sorry
spoke to you as did and want to know
If you have forgotten me. / will finisl
my work at the hospital In two month
and hope to sail with the first lot o
Red Cross nurses. l don't want to g
away without seeing you"
Airline blushed hotly. David's laugl
over the phone was so possessive an
, so tender. Airline had not known
laugh could be so thrilling.
7 "And l don't want TO go without see
! ing-and marrying you, Airline" Da
, vid's voice was steady. 1--WE hav
loved each other all this time. 1knoy
1t and think you do, dear"
: ~ have always had bunch tina
S some wonderful thread of destin
$ would bind us together, dear" Davi
. said very softly.
5 Copyright 1917. by the Mcclure Newsps