The herald., 1918-03-14
A Soldier S
Idyl
Copyright, 1917, Western Newspaper Union.,
B, Jesse ETHEL SaERwlN


alive going to the front seemed indlt-
ferent to the occasion.
1t was a pathetic picture, for all me
brave or mOck-buoyant bearing of the
bows in Khaki. In the minds OF all
was the sOrrOwful knowledge that
many among the odd five hundred re-
cruits leaving the training camp for an
eastern shipping point, were viewing
friends and home for the last time.
As to the soldiers, every man was
erect. bright-eyed, laughing, joking and
singing. One fair-haired fellow
seemed to be the prime favOrite of the
group with whom he marched.
"All got your troubles, fellows! ne
jollied. Free from care I-tra-la-la!
Not Il living relative in the world, so
no weepers, and if l get it on some
lone hill, why, no mOurnersS
There was q tug at his arm as ne
ranged up with the others on the depot
platform to await the backing In of
the train. He turned, off came his
hat, a gratified flush crossed his face.
"If you please, Mr. Wilbur" spoke q
shy, lovely, dimpled girl, scarcely his
own age. could mamma say gOod-by
to you?"
Roy Wilbur had said he had no rel
atlves 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 had
never dared to raise his eyes with the
fervor he inwardly experienced, but
now a sudden hope inspired him.
"You have neglected us of late, Mr..
Wilbur" spoke Mrs. Burt, but her
tones were indulgent, almost caressing.
No one could resist the appeal Of that
boyish, ingenious face and the pathos
of his environment.
"Training camp-getting ready to
leave" and like fragments of explana-
ton tided Roy through confused
apology.
1--WE shall think Of you wearing this
IN the trenches" continued Mrs. Burt,
handing Roy a parcel containing
sweater. Homemade, and especial
~ for you, and Eva"
The young girl fluttered like timid
bird ut 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 boyw said Mrs. Burt, herself
deeply affected, and her hand rested
upon the uncovered head with a gen.
tleness of a blessing. 81 know you
will make US all proud of you"
A quick order came from an officer,
and, waving his hand in adieu, Roy
fastened back into the ranks, a new
ideal come into his life at that mo-
ment.
"Strike her up!" hailed a comrade,
and the unslung ukelele twanged out a
melody he could now inspire with gen.
uine appropriation and fervor, 1.-The
Gin I Left Behind Me-"
At the open window Of the passen-
ger coach he was going over the
sprightly air to the accompaniment OF
the voices Of his comrades, when the
train started up. In the near distance
Mrs. Burt was waving her handker'
chief In adieu. Eva, standing just be.
hind her, kissed her hand to him. He
thrilled. He was no longer friendless
nor lonely.
you're putting the right punch into
that song" enthused a fellow soldier
and every note brought new life and
courage to dashing, reckless, single
hearted Roy Wilbur.
In the trenches the whimsical little
instrument did its cheering duty, and
jollity which makes hardship endur
able. One night Roy was returning
from visit to a near camp, when 6
portion of the brigade to which hi
belonged swept by him, bent on cap
turing q redoubt somewhat ahead. A!
he drew aside to let them pass a shell
burst directly over his head. He wa!
thrown PROSTATE, with dozen ugl!
wounds.
Roy lay there awaiting the comm,
Of an ambulance following the troop
He was faint, in pain and dangerousl!
hurt, but he unslung the ukelele will
which he had been entertaining thu
camp he had visited. Out upon tn,
clear air rang the notes Of his favor
lite air, encouraging those on tn
march, and they broke out into re
sounding cheers.
Roy Wilbur was taken to the hospit
al, to collapse. Then there was fever
delirium, two months convalescence
and one fair, sunny morning the chic
surgeon pronounced him on the wa,
to recovery.
"Where's my ukelele? I want to celt
bratew were almost the first word
Roy spoke, all his old sprightlines
coming back to him.
"What do you want with it?" ques
toned his attendant.
"Want to play, The Girl I Left Be
hind Mep"
'Tll send 1t in"
"Wonder If she ever thought of mel
ruminated Roy. "Wonder If"
: "They sent this in," spoke shy, bu
tender tones, and a girl in the garb &
l q Red Cross nurse entered the room
Il tho cherished ukelele in hand