The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-02-05
BEFORE THE WAR
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

Airline had broken their engagement
because David had given up a splendid
position to join the army. He had given
no reason for his desire to become a
soldier save that he had lunch At
least that had been Davidss way of put
ting it.
But the 'shunch," as David slanging-
~ expressed ii, had been a force so
strong that he had been quite unable
to resist its urge. Something, some
thread OF destiny. had drawn him from
his exceptionally remunerative posi-
ton and tied him firmly into the army.
So David went his way In khaki and
Airline continued her life, missing
David far more than she had reckoned
on. A year or two dragged past. Ar
line found one or two men whom she
accounted friends, but from time to
time she compared them with David
and found them lacking. She was not
aware that she was comparing them
with David and would have scorned
herself for it. David had deliberately
left her TO join the army. and she
did not even know that her erstwhile
sweetheart was now Lieut.. David
Cornwall.
War began blasting its horrible way
In Europe before Airline realized that
soldering was noble calling. She
knew, too, that should America join
the conflict, she would want more than
anything in the world TO be in a posi-
ton to help her country and its brave
men.
Not knowing that she, too, was the
victim of bunch, she-went to one OF
the great New York hospitals and
found herself making definite arrange
ments to enter as probationary
nurse. It was fortunate that there
was vacancy.
airline figured that, entering the hos
pital in 1914, she could be d trained
nurse In 1917 and should the war con-
tinue so long she could go and help In
a foreign hospital.
She did not like hospital work. 1t
was the last profession she would have
asked of herself, but she struggled des-
perately with !duty's grip about her.
And still Airline was unconscious that
she. too, was following that mysteri-
GUS thing called bunch, even as Da-
vid had followed his. All unknowing-
" she was steering her bark TO the
head Of the stream where she and Da-
vid had parted.
She was In her third year Of training
when America entered the world con-
fiict. Khaki-clad men were everywhere
and sons of the navy in blue and
white.
The first time she saw a battalion
of soldiers, new to khaki, hiking along
the city streets, her heart squeezed up
into her throat.
When she returned to the club for
probationary nurses near the hospital
and went into her narrow room and
flung herself on her narrow white bed
she still heard that steady shuttle of
marching feet.
As she lay on that slim little bed In
the slim little room it suddenly oc-
Cured to Airline that some power Of
which she had not been conscious had
prodded her along this nurses path.
She knew, too, that David had been
guided along his soldering way In
that mysterious manner. He now
would be one of the first. to go over
seas at his country's call.
! And with this personal remembrance
of David sharp little pang stabbed
her heart. Davfd's feet would be shut
fling even as those Of the marching
men whom she had seen; David would
march to battle; David would enter
the firing line; David might. Ar
line shrank from the thought Of what
might happen to David.
Without a moments hesitation she
went down to the Office and telephoned
David's home. She had not forgotten
the familiar number.
She had only expected to get his adj
dress from some member of the FAM
lily, but David's voice answered her.
When each had recovered from the
palpitating silence that followed the
hearing of the others voice after prac-
ticaliy five years Of separation, Airline
said softly:
David, wanted to tell you, before
either Of us is called to the other side,
that / understand why you joined the
army. lunches are great, big; won
derful things In life. I am sorry I
spoke to you as did and want to know
If you have forgotten me. viii finish
my work at the hospital In two months
and hope to sail with the first lot Of
Red Cross nurses. I don't want to 60
away without seeing you"
Airline blushed holly. David's laugh
over the phone was so possessive and
so tender. Airline had not known a
laugh could be so thrilling.
"And don't want to go without see
ing-and marrying you, Airline" Da-
vid's voice was steady. "We have
- II.