The Washington times., 1918-08-18

his wounds he crossed the ocean TO serve
with the South African forces fighting for
the Allies at the front. There he is at
present, bravely doing his bit. With him
to Europe went his American wife, the
former actress and society woman, now
transformed into an earnest soldiers wife
and friend of all good Allied fighting men.
May Yohe had by this time changed so
that her friends of reckless Bohemian
days would scarcely have known her.
She had become a proficient war nurse,
skilled in nursing the soldiers wounds, In
preparing food for the sick and ever ready
to endure all the horrors of war without
finching. She is now serving with the
British Red Cross, and is reported to be
doing splendid work. While she has be.
come a thoroughly devoted and skillful
nurse, her old talent as an actress and
singer is of great value in cheering up the
sick and convalescent.
May Yohe may lose her last husband in
the great conflict everybody will hope
not-but she will have regained her own
soul She has paid nobly for the sins Of
the past and shown the true path to all
other transgressors.
And what of her partner in wilfulness--
Major Putnam Bradlee Strong, commonly
called "Puttie"? He, too, has undergone
strangely similar transformation. Early
in the European war, at nearly the same
time that May Yohe was married in South
Africa, Major Strong was overcome with
remorse for his defiance of morality and
the suffering he had caused to his friends
and family. Can it be that some current
Of telepathic communication caused him
and his former companion in recklessness
to take a similar path of regeneration
However that may be, Major Strong GER
tainly decided that his path in atoning for
the past lay in devoting himself to the
cause of liberty and the Allies.
At first he was unable to find military
employment. His blighted career in the
United States army was partly responsible
for this. He went to France and one Of
the first things that happened to him there
was to meet a young French girl, an
orphan, bereaved and beggared by the
first Hun invasion of France.
He wooed her tenderly and ardentiy and
in a brief time she consented to become
his wife. 1t was the happiest woment this
spoilt son of millions had known for many
years when he saw the thrill of girlish
happiness steal back into that terrified
face once more. He brought her back to
aIl
family property in Culpepper County, Vir-
ginia, and made her as happy as circum-
stances would permit.
That was the first step in the regenera-
tion of Putnam Bradlee Strong New he
had time to sit down and think about the
next. He was filled with a great desire to
strike blow at the monsters who had al
most wrecked the life OF his dear little
wife. What could he do? He talked the
matter over with her. They decided that
the best chance for him lay in seeking en-
listment in Frances famous Foreign
Legion, in which the most daring adven-
turers of every nation have for century
been accustomed to seek their fate. Ouida
helped to give it fame in Under Two
Flags" and a score of other writers have
paupers, millionaires weary of luxury and
artifciality, 'repentant highwaymen. the
offscourings Of the top and bottom ranks
of society," have sought in its ranks Oblivion
of their sorrows, forgiveness for their sins
and the absolution Of a soldiers death.
That was exactly the service that ap-
pealed to Putnam Bradlee Strong. His
young wife was now well enough to return
to France, and she determined to 90 back
IL II II y,.,l1r hi
tions. In Paris he quickly found accept
ance as a private soldier in that famous
legion whose members expect no quarter
from the German and go forth to fight
with the full knowledge that death is their
lot the moment they fall into enemy hands.
In this valiant force Putnam Bradlee
Strong will make his final atonement and
seek to win back the soldierly reputation
he LOST when he burnt his own commission
in the American army in the candle flame
of May Yohe's attractions.
Through many strange adventures these
two willful wayward characters have made
their way to this final stage of selfsacrifice
and atonement. May YOhe was born in
the town of Bethlehem, Pa, and was from
the first marked out as a girl of extra.
ordinary physical gifts. Her mother was
a successful dressmaker and gave her an
excellent education. She learned French
and German and she showed remarkable
skill in dancing even as a child.
She made her first success as singer in
church Her superb contraltO tones and
her rich, somewhat Oriental beauty riveted
the attention of the worshippers. Her
mother took her to New York and con-
suited the elder Mrs. John Drew concern
ing her future. Mrs. Drew Immediately
recognized her talents The girl began train
ing, and at the age of seventeen she played