The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-10-26

r. came and told him be was wanted
by the quartermaster captain he turned
as white as O sheet and almost collaps-
ed. but in q second he bucked up like
q regular soldier. He couldn't obey
orders quick enough, because he want
ed to know what they had done with
me. It was a shame, for he had never
been up for anything before. and thu
hurt his record.
The first thing he blurted out when
he reached that impromptu courtroom
was:
"Where's the kiddieT'
He was on. The only answer he got
was a heavy volley Of cold looks. It
didn't take him long to discover q mill
tary court is no respecter Of Cupid.
He had a mighty uncomfortable half
hour worrying, until he finally found
out I was safe. All that time they
kept him busy answering questions and
denying he had planned the trip. It
was hard to make them believe he did
not know I was on the boat until we
we're well outside Of Sandy Hook.
They brought me back to confront
him and to question as together.
Wasn't I proud Of him, though, when
I saw him standing there. straight and
trim and full of courage. his chin in
the air, his shoulders back, ready to
face any kind Of music they had to
playl He half started toward me, and
I made a running jump for him.
Attention. shouted the quartermas-
ter captain. pounding che desk witt
his fist. It was y haro dtuation for
him to handle. he saw that. We
both stopped short and fell into posi-
ton. The habits and discipline Of the
army certainly get a grip on you.
On the Grill.
I don't know how long we were on
the grill. It seemed ages to me. We
stuck to our story-the truth. They
brought In the first sergeant Of my
husbands company and questioned
him too. He had to admit he knew
nothing about it. He might have suit
pected, but be figured 1t was none Of
his business. he didn't add this. how
ever. Sticking your nose into other
peoples affairs is:a dangerous pastime
In the army.
. Things looked pretty taugh for US at
times. but I did not lose my sense of
humor. The Q. O. kept referring to-
me as "he" part Of the time and she
the other part. Now I was Garter"
like q regular. and again I was Mrs.
Carter. When he looked at me In my
soldier suit. with my hair cut short
like a mans, he could not figure me aS
anything but q doughboy.
Finally they ordered the guards t0
take me back to the stateroom. did
not care what happened to me as long
as they did not court martial the "old
man." as the soldiers wife calls her
husband. I knew that would break his
heart and mine too.
While I was pacing the floor Of that
small room waiting to hear what they
had decided to do a couple of rockies
passed outside the portfolio.
"Whaddye think they'll do with herr
asked one rookie.
81 dunno. One o. the men that was
over in the Philippines SEE they'll Ell.
Their call out the firing squad and have
her shot at sunrise or else they'll make
her walk the plank"
"You mean they'll put out plank
and make her walk OF the end OF 1t
into the ocean,"
"Sure. One O. the men that was over
in the Philipp"-
I strained my ears. but ! could not
hear any more. The rockies had pass.
ed out Of earshot. I hoped by the time
they made me walk the plank I would
be near enough to France to swim
ashore. Then the laugh would be on
them. The prospect didn't disturb me
much.
After what seemed several years.
though as q matter Of fact It was only
a few minutes. my husband came to
my room. he looked very solemn. |
ran to him. He took me In his arms
and held me tight for a long time.
Then he began to pull of his coat.
Tell me-" 1 begged.
Il lose my stripes" he said. Il am
no longer Corporal Carter, but Private
Carter"
From the tone Of his voice and the
light In his eyes I knew he did not re-
gret the stripes. Neither did l. Being
with him all this time was worth 1t.
"Pnvate Carter" I said. Il salute
you. sir" And | did with a great big
fat kiss.
Then l sat down on the edge Of the
berth and with my own hands ripped
the stripes from his sleeve.
CHAPTER Y.