The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-10
A TALE OF
ADVENTURE
By PAULINE D. EDWARDS

ciolHes Tor Belgian orphanS at Red
cross headquarters. Naturally they
talked as they worked.
Come, Madeline; can't you tell us of
some adventure that has befallen your,
My life has been very uneveufful,"
was the reply.
You We're 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 romance"
"Oh, do tell us about It'll! chimed a
dozen voices.
1T wasn't much Of happening. but
since you want to hear it don't mind
telling you.
You see, i was in Belgium when
war was declared, but l didn't know
tnat the Germans were going to come
In such hurry, and l 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. | set myself up for nurse.
taking care of load of wounded men
VINO were being carried to the rear,
TILL shell exploded under it and blew
1t 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"
Il was leaning over a wounded SOL
dier 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?'
Nor shouted every woman present
''They took the ambulance I was In
to Calais
II thought it was blown to atoms"
put in listener.
''That was French ambulance.
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 ?"
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 a long while,
caring for wounded soldiers in the hos
pital At last sailed for America in a
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 wore a tailor
made suit | 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 well treated. II was drowned
my corpse would be well gowned.'
How thoughtfulw remarked several
| listeners SCito NONe.
1--WE hadn't been out thirty-six hours
when there came the sound of an ex-
plosion forward knew at once it
was submarine went to my state
room, got ont all my jewels and put
! them on"
what for?' asked surprised lis
tener.
"For the same reasons ! wore my
tailor made gown. I've been asked
not to give any unnecessary informa-
ton. think ! won't tell any more
Of It."
| "Go on was the universal cry.
I "Well. when I went up the compan-
! ionway found a terrible scene on
deck. The officers were protecting the
boats at the point of the pistol for the
women and children. When one Of
! them saw me and how well dressed
was-most of the women looked like
frights-he offered me his arm and es.
corted me to a boat. I got In, and as
we we're pulled away from the sinking
ship threw him kiss Of thanks"
"How lovely. Was he the romance?"
mo. I'm going to tell you about the
romance now The sea was running
high, and one huge wave came along
and turned our boat over. l gave my
self up for lost Fortunately my tailor
made gown | told you about caught a
lot of air under it, and this kept me up
for awhile But the seas finally took
| all the air from under me, and l was
I about to sink when felt myself drawn
upon some boards. Ii was an impro-
vised raft looked up into the face
of the handsomest man / ever saw.
".This raft is not capable Of support
Ing US both. he said L give my life
that you may live.' With that he rolled
of into the water"
How beautifulw exclaimed chorus
I'VE women don't appreciate the ef-
feet of own adornments. There was
admiration in my preservers eyes,
which no doubt was heightened by my
tailor made suit and my jewels, all OF
which were becoming to me. l have