The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-01
A TALE OF
ADVENTURE
Bv PAULINE D. EDWARDS


Cross headquarters. Naturally they
talked as they worked.
'Come, Madeline; can't you tell US Of
some adventure that has befallen XouT'
my life has been very unevehtful,"
was the reply.
"You were in Europe, weren't you,
when the great war broke out? Surely
there must be something interesting in
your experience at that time"
There was q romance"
"Oh, do tell us about It'll" chimed q
dozen voices.
ut wasn't much Of a happening, but
since you want to hear it don't mind
telling you.
"You see, l was in Belgium when
war was declared, but I didn't know
that the Germans were going to come
In such a hurry, and hadn't seen all
the sights. So delayed getting away
till they were driving the French be.
fore them toward Paris.
That's the way got into Red Cross
work.
'The only means by which l could
travel were the ambulances carrying the
wounded. l set myself up for nurse,
taking care of load Of wounded men
who were being carried to the rear,
till a shell exploded under it and blew
it and its contents sky high"
Weren't you killed?" asked one of
them.
NO" said the story teller; II wasn't
killed."
What saved your"
II was leaning over q wounded SOL
der at the time, and when he was
blown up his body constituted a pro-
lection for me. He was killed, though"
1T seems to me-" remarked one Of
the ladies'. that there is some unnec-
essary information given here. Go on
with the story so far as regards your
self alone"
And leave out the romance"
"NOw shouted every woman present.
"They took the ambulance was In
to Calais
II thought it was blown to atoms"
put in listener.
'"That was a French ambulance. I
was picked up by English Red Cross
workers and at Calais was taken
across the channel"
The speaker stopped short, as though
she had finished her story.
"Where does the romance come in r
asked several ladies at once.
"Oh, I'm going to tell you that. Do
you want to hear it?
"Of course" all responded.
II stayed in England long while,
caring for wounded soldiers In the hos.
pital At last sailed for America In q
British ship That was when the sub.
marines had got to work, and we were
all fearful Of being sunk to the bottom
of the ocean. Most Of us remained
| dressed day and night. 1 wore tailor
made suit l had bought in London
You see if l got through safely
wouldn't have to pay duty on it, and II
we were blown up and was saved
would be well dressed and correspond
ingly we'll treated. If l was drowned
my corpse would be well gOwnei."
How thoughtfulr' remarked severa
listeners soto voce.
I'VE hadn't been out thirty-six hour,
when there came the sound of an ex
plosion forward. l knew at once i
was a submarine. went to my state
room. got out all my jewels and pu
them on"
what for?' asked a surprised lis
tener.
"For the same reasons l wore m
tailor made gown. I've been aske'
not to give any unnecessary informs
ton. l think / won't tell any NOR
Of It."
"Go onw was the universal cry.
"Well. when l went up the compar
ionway l found q terrible scene o
deck. The officers were protecting th
boats at the point Of the pistol for th
: women and children. When one Z
= them saw me and how well dressed
was-most Of the women looked lik
fnghts-he offered me his arm and e.
corted me to boat. got in, and 9
We were pulled away from the sinkin
ship / threw him kiss Of thanks"
. How lovely! Was he the romance
I. mo. I'm going to tell you about th
romance now. The sea was runnin
high, and one huge wave came alon
and turned our boat over. 1 gave m,
!. self up for lost. Fortunately my talk
made gown told you about caught
lot Of air under it, and this kept me q
for awhile. But the seas finally toe
all the air from under me, and WI
about to sink when felt myself draw
= upon some boards. 1t was an impr
4 vised raft. l looked up into the fas
q Of the handsomest man l ever saw.
r This raft is not capable Of supper
r Ing US BOTH he said. L give my III
J. that you may live With that he rolle
= OF into the water"
h How beautiful exclaimed a choru
n I'VE women don't appreciate the e
Ie feet Of own adornments. There ",
r admiration in my preservers eye
a which no doubt was heightened by n
/ tailor made suit and nv fewelc all