Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-24
The Daily.
Short Story
A SOLDIERS IDYL.
b. Jesse Ethel Sherwin.

sister looked sad. Only the thought.
less sweethearts and those who b.a
no relative going to the front SCENES
Indifferent to the occasion.
1t was q patriotic picture. for all n.
brave or mock-buoyant bearing OF n.
boys In khaki. In the minds Of Al
was the sorrowful knowledge tb..
many among the odd five hundred =.
cruits leaving the training camp n,
an eastern shipping point, were view.
Ing friends and home for the last tim.
AS to the soldiers. every man -.
erect. bright-eyed, laughing. iokin,
and singing. One fair-haired fello~
seemed to be the prime favorite OF tha
group with whom he marched.
All got your troubles, fellows,~ n.
| 1ollied. Free from care I-tra-la.l.,
Not living relative in the world. -
no weepers, and IL l get it on soms
lone hill, why, no mourners."
There was tug at his arm a hs
ranged up with the others on the depot
platform TO await the backing in ~
the train. He turned, off came hi.
hat, a gratifled flush crossed his face
"If you please, Mr.. Wilbur" spoka
shy, lovely, dimpled girl, scarcely bis
own age Gould mamma say good-hv
to you?"
Roy Wilbur had said he had no rela.
tives or friends in particular. He rec.
ognized his mistake Was not Eva
Burt here at his side? And her moth.
er had sent for him; And because he
had been poor and obscure he haa
never dared to raise his eyes with the
fervor he inwardly experienced. but
now sudden hope inspired him,
You have neglected US of late, Mr..
Wilbur" spoke Mrs. Burt, but her
tones were indulgent. almost caress-
ing. No one could resist the appeal Of
that boyish, ingenious face and the
pathos of his environment.
Training camp-getting ready t o
leaYe," and like fragments of explain.
ton tided Roy through a confused
apology.
I'VE shall think of you wearing this
in the trenches" continued Mrs. Burr.
handing Roy parcel containing q
sweater. Homemade, and especial
ly for you, and Eva"
The young girl futtered like a timid
bird. 1T is only little comfort kit.
Mr.. Wilbur" she said.
Their eyes met as he accepted the
little package. Then Eva Burt burst
into tears and hid her face against her
: mothers arm.
poor boy!" said Mrs. Burt, herself
4. deeply affected, and her hand rested
. upon the uncovered head with a gen.
tleness IA blessing. Il know you
will make US all proud of YOU"
A quick order came from an oficer,
and, waving his hand in adieu, Roy
t FASTENED back into the ranks, new
j., ideal come into his life at that mo-
! ment. y
Strike her up" hailed comrade
and the unslung ukelele twanged out a
melody he could now inspire with gen.
uine appropriation and fervor, "The
Girl l Left Behind Me-"
At the open window Of the passen-
t ger coach he was going over the
Y sprightly air to the accompaniment Of
: the voices Of his comrades, when the
e train started up. In the near distance
e Mrs. Burt was waving her handker-
: chief in adieu. Eva, standing Just be-
y hind her, kissed her hand to him. He
r thrilled. He was no longer friendless
nor lonely.
You're putting the right punch into
j that song" enthused a fellow soldier,
: and every note brought new life and
t courage to dashing, reckless, single
r hearted Roy Wilbur.
n In the trenches the whimsical little
instrument did its cheering duty and
z it's lovable owner was the soul Of that
t jollity which makes hardship endur-
s able. One night Roy was returning
S from visit to a near camp, when .
portion of the brigade to which be
belonged swept by him, bent on cap
r turing q redoubt somewhat ahead. AS
J. he drew aside to let them pass a shell
n burst directly over his head. He was
S thrown PROSTATE, with dozen ugly
r wounds.
Y. Roy lay there awaiting the coming
: of an ambulance following the troop.
IS He was faint, in pain and dangerously
hurt, but he unslung the ukelele with
which he had been entertaining the
If camp he had visited Out upon the
e clear air rang the notes of his favor
J. tie air, encouraging those on tne
S. march, and they broke out into re-
c sounding cheers.
r Roy Wilbur was taken to the hos
st pital, to collapse. Then there was
le fever, delirium, two months conya-
e lesence, and one fair, sunny morning
j. the chief surgeon pronounced him gu
d. the way to recovery.
h where's my ukelele? want TO cele'
IL brate!" were almost the first WORDS
a, Roy spoke, all his old sprightliness
e. coming back to him.
n, What do you want with itT' ques.
ID toned his attendant.
st Want to play. The Girl Lett "
d. hind Net"
"Pl send it in" !.
wonder if she ever thought Of me
n ruminated Roy. wonder if"
ri They sent this in," spoke shy, pu,
IS tender tones, and a girl in the garn o
d Red Cross nurse entered the room
s the cherished ukelele in hand. :,
rs Roy looked up, wondering, then isor
is ant The girl looked down, dehsnf
ID fully, blushing and quivering with en'o
Or ton. No.
Id At the side of Roy Wilbur stood tn'