The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-10-30
CHAPTER vi.
Home Again, but Not Glad Of 1t.

~ spent most Of the time allowed
me on deck daily for exercise.
watching and hoping for a glimpse of
my husband, eyes glued to the spot
where | knew the camp to be. The
boys must have been kept pretty close
because | did not see them again.
My husband had promised he would
do everything In his power to get them
to permit me to land. | knew he would
keep his word. l still hoped they would
relent and I could go and join the Red
Cross, even If I could not be q regular
soldier.
Every time a boat put out from the
pier l held my breath and prayed II
was some one bringing good news for
me. Then when 1t didn't I was 80 dis
appointed ! would start crying all
fresh again.,
Maybe you can imagine just how ]
felt. There was the shore, only a
stones throw away. I had braved all
kinds of hardships and dangers to reach
1t. My husband, the truest and best
Sammie that ever wore khaki, was
there. And here.I was a prisoner.
A hundred times at night I walked to
the portfolio and watched the lights
twinkling in the town. 1t seemed
closer some way at night. One even
ing the officer Of the ship was walk
ing by with a soldier. My light was
out, and they could not see me. He
was apparently questioning the pri-
vate. I did not recognize the silhou-
cite, so / took him for a rookie.
Garter said he tried to get her to 60
back, but she wouldn't do It," said the
officer. "She's one of those babies who
always have their own way. wish she
had been my wife for about a minute.
What he should have done was to
knock her cold. call an ambulance and
take her to the hospital. Maybe after
that she'd listen to reason"
Eyes? After that there would have
been two Of us in the hospital" l called
through the portfolio. And Uncle
Sam would have been minus n per-
fectly good soldier for awhile"
The officer wheeled around. BE
looked as if he would sell himself for a
plugged penny. he started to beg my
pardon, but l ducked back into the
stateroom in the dark and left him fat.
My husband went ashore on Mon
day. Wedn> sday one Of the boys told
me he had been back on board the day
before, but the captain had refused
him permission to see me
That night l kept my eyes on the
sailors on watch. IF one Of them had
fallen asleep or gone inside after some
thing / made up Eay mind l would go
over, take a chance and swim for it.
If / had to wait for one of them to
weaken l would die Of old age. You've
got to hand it to them for that.
Soldiers Get Great Welcome.
They told me the boys were having
a great time ashore. The people had
given them the keys Of the town and
were doing nothing but showing the
Sammies around. France was turning
itself upside down to welcome them.
The French girls were bombarding
them with kisses and good things to
eat, and the men were slapping them
on the back and calling them comrade
and more in French as best they could.
which was non too good
Don't it get your goat to think may
be one Of them French dolls Is plant
ing a kiss on your old mans brown
said the guard who brought me the
news. 1 knew he was trying to tease
me.
Goat nothing" l laughed. LET
them go to it. A soldier deserves all
the kisses he can collect"
The fifth day after l said goodby to
my husband | was up on deck watch
ing, as usual. for any sign of some one
! coming to get me when a transport
farther along the line Of ships began to
move out. In a few minutes it was fol