The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-12
She Blew Kiss to Soldier in "Blighty";
Today She's Known as "Mrs. Private Peat"

terribly lonesome and l sent him n
Canadian postcard with u line on it
about my bumped head. After that,
until we were married, there was not
"A single day when we failed to ex-
we're not love letters; many consisted
of friendly bits of repartee. But we
always had something to say to each
other.
Nearly year later he got his awful
wound and was sent back to England
IL was two weeks before l could see
him, and even then thought we should
lose him. But gradually he improved.
and went to visit him every Sunday
In the convalescent hospital at Wool
wich. At that time l was general
manager of the Efficiency engineers,
an organization Communicated by the
government to help with the manage
ment of munitions making. For months
travelled about among all the NUM-
tons factories, pointing out ways in
which appliances and rules could be
modified to increase the output and
make easier and safer the toll of the
women employees.
Mr. Peat has told me that the sec
end Sunday l came to see him he be-
tan to think about--what happened
afterward.' Mrs. Peat admitted smil-
ingly "..
Looking at the womanly strength
and beauty of her, l rather wondered
that Private Peat waited so long--and
told her so.
Even then he couldn't say any
thing she explained, because he
| knew he was penniless and was afraid
that he would never regain his health
and strength. One day he walked
| five miles through the mud to a rail.
way station in order to call on me at
my office. left him for two minutes
in the reception room and when l re-
turned he was in a deep faint of utter
| exhaustion.
My aunt asked him to finish his
lconvaleseence in our home at Bedford
Park. There we saw more Of each
lother, and-well, found out that I was
not playing. When the time came for
him to go to Canada and be discharged
it was understood. without word be-
tween us. that | was to come out to
| him as soon as he had time to lock
around and make arrangements.
| We never were formally engaged,
and l never wore an engagement ring.
But as soon as my husband found
that the Canadian Red Cross wanted
Ills services he cabled Come I
i.started at once, my aunt accompany
ing me TO see the last of the family
married. Our boat train, running at
i.55 miles an hour, was sent crashing
linto troop train containing 700 men,
by a signainan who, we believe, was
working for the Germans. We were
not hurt, but badly shaken up. and I
lost my trousseau. except a dressing
bag and a suitcase. After lodging
submarines all the way across we final
~ arrived at Edmonton, where the
Thermometer registered So degrees be-
low zero. My husbands right hand
was so paralyzed that he could not
take mine during the ceremony. and
shook hands with him for the first
time some eight months later
After staying eight days in the
home he had ready for me. we started
on speaking tour of Canada and
Alaska, l always have been his sec
Rotary. and l typed his book for him
last summer. Our home now Is in
Chicago. ana we plan to remain In the
United States" -
| There was little pause. and then
asked Mr., Peat the question: eoswhich
airs&ds he'd the answer. you do