The citizen., 1918-05-30
WOMAN'S VICTORY
e~~<<<>>
BY KITTY PARSONS.
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure News
per eyndicate)

per eyndicatsD
IF you love me. you wouldn't want
20 go to wari I don't see II at all.
You're married, and even II Tn not
dependent on you. don't want you TO
go-you'n be drafted IL they need you
badly enough. I can't understand the
way you feel at all-you just can't
care about me, that's all u The words
came In rush and the girl who had
spoken was trembling with excitement
and on the verge of tears.
"You're right, dear, You don't un-
derstand," agreed her husband. "You
know perfectly well that ! do care
about you, but there's a special call
for men in my line Of work just now,
and / feel more like a Stacker every
day I stay away. Can't you see how !
feel Dorothyf"
mo. ! can't just see II, but II you
want to go you needn't stay on my ac-
count. ! thought a mans wife usually
came first, but guess Tn wrong. BY
all means, go, II you want to leave
mel
you're talking nonsense, Dorothy
And Of course you know II you put up
that sort Of an argument, ! won't go
at least. not until I'm needed more
than l am now. wish you did not
feel as you do" he went on, with an
attempt at cheerfulness, "but II can't
be helped, ! suppose. I'm of for town
latn no
Dorothy caught her breath In a sob
as she watched him disappear down
the path. II was the first time In two
years that they had been married that
Tom had gone of without kissing her
good-by.
1t was with sense Of defeat rather
than victory that Dorothy went about
her household duties that morning.
Just as she was starting for the
bridge club that afternoon, the door
bell rang and Polly Anderson breezed
In. Polly was the newest bride in
their set.
"Oh, Dot" she cried, I'm so thrilled
I can hardly speak Bob's got COM
mission as first lieutenant and I'm
80 proud OF him I don't know what to
dol Isn't II wonderfulf'
Dorothy forgot all about the bridge
club and sat down.
But he'll be sent away. won't her
she queried vaguely.
"Of course, stupidi You didn't sup
pose he'd stay here. did your No. in
deedi He's going South a week from
today for a while and i suppose he
will be sent abroad from there-ever
so many Of them are"
"How terriblei Tn SO very sorry
for you, dear!"
swell, you needn't bel I'm SO full
Of pride over Bob and love for my
country thrown in. that there simply
isn't room for any other feeling. Don't
waste any sympathy on mew
"But. Polly. you don't want him to
go-you sound as II you really did"
Polly held her proud little head
higher than ever and winked back
tear.
"If a woman really loves her hus-
band" she began steadily, "she does
not actually want to get rid Of him.
But when his country calls and he
hears the call himself, she knows he
must 20. II he were deaf TO that call
and she is a true American woman,
she could never feel really proud Of
him again. You understand how II is,
Dorothy - you must feel the same
yourself about Tom. Every true wom-
an does"
Dorothy sat very still. but when
Polly rose to 60. she kissed her with
a new respect in her manner. She
had quite forgotten the bridge club.
When Tom came home a trifie ear
lier than usual. he found his wife
seated before fire in the living room,
busily winding yarn.
'why. Dot. what are you doingf"
"Starting a sweater for you 10 take
away with you" she returned
promptly.
Then, at his look Of amazement.
she ran TO him, and seizing the lapels
Of his coat. almost fercely, looked up
into his face appealingly.
i've been all wrong. Tom," she told
him. 81 didn't understand how II was.
OF course you've got to go-I didn't
realize how men felt about this thing
or women. either. for that matter
But now l see II all, Just as plain AZ
day, and I want you to go as soon as
you're ready-T'll help you every bit ]
can, tool"
Tom stared at her for a moment.
Then he caught her In his arms and
held her so close that she could scarce
ly breathe.
II can't leave you. darling-I simply
can'ti" he whispered. and waited for
the expected acQuiescence. But Doro-
thy pushed him away and looked
straight into his eyes again.
"Yes. you can, dear" she said with
a new firmness. II wouldn't have you
stay for anything In the world now,
and ! never loved you half so much
as I do at this minute. It's the only
thing to do and II other women can
give their men up. guesc can. too.
I'm proud that you want TO go-it
would break my heart 10 have you feel
a Stacker. now that understand. j
was one myself this morning. but I'm
not any more"
After a few minutes intermission,
she added: u never was so unhappy