The Big Sandy news., 1917-11-09
BEFORE The WAR
~ DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

Desra ,'es,,,oc 10 ,oIn the army. He had given
no reason for his desire TO Decome
soldier save that he had "hunch. AZ
least that had been Dnvld's way OF pu.-
ting II.
Rut the "hunch." as David slanpng-
10 axnressed IT, had been force 20
strong TINT he had been quite unable
~ resist lts urge. Something, some
thread OF destiny, had drawn him from
his exceptionally remunerative posi-
uon and tied him firmly into the army.
So David went his way In khaki anu
Airline continued her life, missing
David FAR more than she had reckoned
an. A yenr or two dragged past. Ar
| line found one or two men whom she
accounted friends. but from time %
time she compared them with David
and found them lacking. She was not
aware that she was comparing them
with David and would have scorneu
herself for II. David had deliberately
left her 10 join the army, ana sne
ldid NOT even know that her erstwhilc
sweetheart was now Lieut., pavlu
Cornwall.
Il War began blasting Its horrible way
In Europe before Airline realized thht
soldering was noble calling. snc
knew. too. that should America join
| the conflict she would want more than
anything In the world 20 be In posi-
tion TO help her country and Its brave
men.
Not knowing that she, too, was the
victim OF a hunch. she went TO one oI
the great New York hospitals ana
. found herself making definite arrange
!, ments TO enter as probationary
nurse. Ii was fortunate thnt there
was vacancy.
Airline figured that. entering the hos
pltal IN 1914. she could be a trained
I nurse ia 1917 and should the war con-
tinue so long she could go and help In
I a foreign hospital.
She did not like hospital work. X
a was the last profession she would have
: asked 81 herself. hut she struggled des-
perntely with duty's grip about her.
And stIll Airline was unconscious that
she. too, was following that mysteri-
& GUS thing called a bunch, even rs On
y yid 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-
!, f,lct. Khnki-clad men were everywhere
aud sons OF the navy in blue ana
white.
The first time she saw battalion
(. OF soldiers, new to khaki. hiking along
. the city streets, her heart squeezed np
; into her throat.
when she returned 10 the club for
!, probationary nurses near the hospltnl
" and went into her narrow room ana
flung herself on her narrow white bed
abe stllI heard that steady shuttle Of
marching feet.
., AS she lay on that slim little bed In
ri the slim little room II suddenly oc'
! Cured 70 Airline that some power OF
which she had not been conscious had
prodded her along this nurses path
She knew. too, that David had beer
guided along his soldering way u
that mysterious manner. he nov
WOULD Ut one oi TIC tA"A ~ -" - -
seas at his country's call.
. And With this personal rememorane'
ID OF David sharp little pang stables
n her heart. DavId's feet would be shui
~ ding even as those ihe marching
2 men whom she had seen David woul'
march 10 battle; David would ente
the firing line; David might. Al
line shrank from the thought Of VIDA
~ might happen 10 David.
ed Without moments hesitation sh
NJ went down TO the office and telephone
DavId's home. She had not forgotte
the familiar number
She had only expected 10 get his at
:, dress from some member OF the fan
+ lily, but Davfd's voice answered her.
ma When each had recovered from IN
iet palpltating silence that followed n
Vi hearing OF the others voice after prni
y tienily Ave years OF separation, Arlir
q y, said softly:
rd 'David, wanted to tell you. befol
rsn either OF us Is called to the other SID
hi. that understand why you Joined q
army. lunches are great, big, wo
derful things In life. / am sorry
spoke to you as did and want to kno
= If you have forgotten me. ! VIII hni'
my work at the hospital In two mont
ley, and hope to sail with the frst lot
Red Cross nurses. don't want to
away without seeing you"
., Airline blushed hotly. David's lnuI
er | over the phone was 80 possessive al
nth so tender. Airline had not known
to- laugh could be so thrilling.
'is- "And don't want TO go without 50
hio ing--and marrying you, Airline" d
vids voice was steady. I'VE ha
loved each other all this time. Ilne
It and think you do. dear"
sa,v II have always had a hunch IN
some wonderful thread OF destll
: Of would bind us together, dear" Das
nan said very softly.
Dan Copyright, 1917, by tho Mcclure NewsE
per syndicate)
'orl -
the New oIass Industry.
"a. - IL