The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-17
EVENING STORY
The Heart of Eileen.
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

help overhearing the conversation 60
ing on just inside the club window.
At the first words had no meaning.
for her own thoughts were busy with
things. Then she realized that some
one, an often referred to She was
most unpopular with the conversers,
and suddenly hearing her own name
mentioned she realized that she her
self was the subject of this unpleasant
discourse.
1t was Mrs: Langdon Merrill talking
to her sister. Mrs. Enoch Cuthbert,
about her son, Lionel Merrill, and
Eileen herself
Don't you see it all, Jennie?" said
Mrs Merrilrs voice "She's come back
because she's tired of nursing. You
know that's what both the Wainwright
girls did after their father lost his
money-trained for nurses. And as
she and Lionel had a sort of boy and
girl affair, she thinks she'll take it up
now where they left off. l shouldn't
worry about it, only the girls a raving,
tearing beauty. I'll have to confess I
never saw such eyes. She always was
pretty, but this nursing has done some
thing to her that I can't explain Her
eyes look as tho they had seen things.
In short, Jennie. she's got that sort of
ethereal look about her that appeals
to a man. And she knows it, you can
gamble, and she's going to play for
Dig game But IL not going TO pc
Lionel Merrill, If 1 know anything,
just when he was beginning to take
an interest in Mary Evans-the very
thing I've set my heart on all my life
1 don't know what the Aberdeens
meant by asking her here! Why didn't
she go to France. where she's needed?
I've no patience with nurses who don't
go to France"
There was more, but Eileen, decid-
ing she had heard enough, got UP and
left
Her Indignation had cooled to a quiet
amusement. The same things that
had given her eyes that look" and
her skin that pallor had taught her
that life is too serious thing to let
ones self be troubled by the idle
chatter of people who don't count. The
only thing about it that bothered her
was the fact that Lionel would proba-
bly, be approached upon the subject,
and it worried her to have him an
noyed.
She Joined the Aberdeens at the end
of the terrace, watching a set of ten
mis-
erdeen as Eileen came up. Lionel
Merrill and Mary Evans are winning"
1t was the first time Eileen had seen
him Tor seven years, and she approved
of what she saw. He was older. of
course, but the fine lines in his face
had deepened. his eyes had mans de-
termination, and his body, lithely sup
pie, showed excellent training.
why didn't Lionel join the army"
she asked Jean.
'Why!" jeans eyes were indignant
Because his mother wouldn't let him
It's shame, when he wanted to go So
She doesn't give him a chance He's
turned out to be man in spite of her.
She's tried to make him a puppy"
The set over, Lionel came up to the
GRO he T@,,
back again. he said, taking her hand
and looking searehingly down into her.
eyes. 'And she's come back a very
beautiful lady-but it strikes me, a
sad lady. Wen have to have a few
parties to brighten her up, 1 see that"
Eileen laughed and shook her head.
ITS not a time for parties. Lionel
One can't feel festive these days"
Mrs Merrill arrived in time to hear
the remark.
You're very patriotic, Miss VAIN
wright. One would think your patri-
otism would carry you across seas"
Eileen's face clouded. Il wanted to
CO." she saio simply. "My sister and
drew lots and she won. We think
an exodus of nurses from America
would be bad. Wome, and children
need care. 1t was my lot to stay and
do my bit to take care of them"
Several days passed in which Lionel
Merrill managed to see Eileen very
often. Just as his mother had feared.
the girl and boy affair threatened to
ripen now into full bloom.
Then, one soft evening in June,
when the stars were struggling thru
a long pale twilight, he told her he
loved her.
Eileen, dear. I love you." he said
suddenly Il can't let you go back
to New York, 1 can't let you go awav
again. my white angel"
She drew away gently. Lionel. we
must not talk of love. 1t can't be.
GU see, know your mother doesn't
approve of me. And I'll never marry
a man against his mothers wishes
Good-by, dear boy, 1 must go in. And
please don't try to see me again"
Two days later DR.. HARRISON came
downstairs at the Merrills's. where
him in the hall.
It's pneumonia, Mrs. Merrill.
Lionel must have a nurse right awav.
but there isn't an extra nurse in the
state. The Red Cross has drained the
hospitals dry, and there aren't enough
new ones volunteering to study. I
have places this minute for a dozen
and 1 can't get one"
But what shall we do?"
rill.'' ~ A"o"' MIS- Mer-
Il have it," she exclaimed. There,
81 Nurse visiting near here
Perhaps she'll come" But her voica
was unwilling
MRS Merrill herself called on tn.
telephone and stated her case.
m sorry said Eileen. NY -
is over, Mrs. Merrill. I must return to
New York today. The babies and
mothers need me I'm pledged to
them and to the soldiers, If they need
me on this side. l can't take any one
else"
But Lionel needs you, my dear Miss
Wainwright. If he were a soldier
would you nurse him."
Yes"
Then, my dear. he'll be a soldier.
He has always wanted to be one. 1t
is my fault he wasn't If consent
when he gets well will you Gomez
es' can do that without breaking
my pledge"
And Miss Wainwright, There is
another thing. I've been fearfully UNI