St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1917-10-10
BEFORE THE WAR
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

Airline had broken their engagement
because David had given up splendid
position to join the army. He had given
no reason for his desire to become
soldier save that he had ''hunch." At
least that had been David's way Of put
ting it.
But the "hunch," as David slanging-
~ expressed 1t, had been 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 it. 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 a noble calling. She
knew, too, that should America JOIN
-1,- n ov,% fe,o
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 a bunch, she went to one of
the great New York hospitals and
found herself making definite arrange
ments to enter sas probationary
NURSE It 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. It
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 bunch, even as Da-
yid had followed his. ALI 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-
fiict. Khaki-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 bee
she still heard that steady shuttle Of
marching feet. - !
AS she lay on that slim little bed ir
the, slim little room it. suddenly oc
Cured to Airline that some power o.
which she had not been conscious hat
prodded her along this nurses path
She; knew, too, that David had beer
guided along his soldering way IL
that mysterious manner. He nov
would be one Of the first to go over
seas at his country's call.
And with this personal remembrance
Of David q sharp little pang stabbed
her heart. Davfd's feet would be shut
fling even as those Of the marching
men whom she had seen; David woul'
march to battle; David would ente
the firing line; David might. Ar
line shrank from the thought Of wha
might happen to David.
Without a moments hesitation sh
went down to the Office and telephones
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 answered her.
When each had recovered from tn
palpitating silence that followed tn
!, hearing of the others voice after prac
tically five years Of separation, Arlin
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, wor
derful things in life. I am sorry
spoke to you as did and want to kno,
If you have forgotten me. will fms
my work at the hospital in two month
and hope to sail with the first lot 9
Red Cross nurses. don't want to 6
away without seeing you"
Airline blushed holly. David's laug
over the phone was so possessive an
80 tender. Airline had not known
laugh could be SO thrilling.
"And / don't want to go without SCI
iing-and marrying you, Airline" d.
ivid's voice was steady. 1--WE hav
loved each other all this time. Ikno'
1T and I think you do, DEAR"
81 have always had bunch ths
!. some wonderful thread. Of destin
would bind US together, DEAR" Davi
said very softly.
lCopyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspl
, ~ per Syndicate.)
49,. Af~.~ 4. A..&uu