The Washington times., 1919-01-14
When a Girl Marries
A STORY OF EARLY WEDDED LIFE
Jim Proposes to Anne, Now That Neal
Is-<Going, That She Share an
Apartment With His Sisters

self-pity. The one splendid friend
ship that had grown out OF our
headlong marriage, was the tender,
understanding big brotherly rela-
ton between Jim and Neal. l fix
ed my mind on that. There was
the blue in my sky-the friend
ship between my boys.
And then like a whirlwind Neal
came into the room. He flung
himself upon me, and. seizing my
cold hands in his strong, warm
clasp, he began swinging me about
at arms length in q regular whirl-
ing-dervish dance.
I'm flt. They took me. report
Monday. I'm a soldier. Little
Ned's of for the artillery camp out
near home. Amt 1t bully? We've
got to fall to and pack-pretty
darn quick pronto. Come on,
Babbs-give us a hug, and then
well get busy" he cried all in one
stream OF tTip-hammer notes.
And they fell on my heart with
heavy impact. Thud - thud! 1
hope I'm a patriot. know I'm
proud OF my Neal But I wonder
il when the moment of separation
comes every woman-heart doesn't
cry out to Heaven, mot yet Not
today. Oh. let me keep him a day
, longerr'
But bit my lips and steadied
my voice as 1 murmured:
boy, dear-Tm proud OF you.
There will be no soldier finer than
my brother. Oh, Neal-how glori-
ously proud father will be-"
Then we sat and planned for a
AL -
corporal-when he'd get the SER
geant's third stripe-and how long
after that before they'd discover
Other women-all over the land
have talked like that I'm sure. And
other women have folded in a tear
or two. like lavender, between lay
ers Of socks and ties and linens as
they packed for their soldier boy
But Neal didn't see the tears, I
was the sister Of a soldier now,
and IL my lonliness was complete,
1 had to be a fine enough woman
to bear IL without stealing his
strength to help me meet 1t.
An Impossible Suggestion
BY six our packing was finished,
and then came a wonderful twi-
light chat. We sat close together
on the big couch. Neal forgot his
boyish horror of being soft" and
sat-quite unashamed-his fingers
locked in mine. Whispered conf
dences, little promises-our youth
conjured up again Then Neal
very shyly:
"Babbs-do you think might
have this evening with Phoebe? We
may start tomorrow In order to
report Monday. I don't know yet"
You shall have it, lad, dear, I'll
see to that" 1 promised rashly.
But how Virginia was to be man
aged, L didn't know. Then into our
lonesome yet a while. Phoebe"
aglow with the zest OF their after
noon. We told them that Neal was
starting for camp at once, and Jim
took 1t as the best news in the
world. But Phoebe started back
with star-lit eyes and trembling
lips.
-Oh, Neal!" she cried, aTm so
proud-and so lonesome"
mot yet You amt soing to be
lonesome yet a while, Phoepe,"
cried Neal, beaming with tender Joy
because she cared. "We're going to
have this eyening-if Jim is will
ing"
Phoebe turned to Jim-cheeks
ahame. hands flying out to him.
virginia" she pleaded. Make
her let me have this one evening"
This evening is yours by every
right in the world, children" said
Jim. "Pll come with you and tell
Jeaaie."
Then he limped. out with them TO
claim their one evening from vir-
ginia. After five minutes he cane
back alone-and with quiet under
standing OF what Meals going
meant, he caught me to him.
you'll be lonely, honey. won
der IL it wouldn't be better for you
If we arranged to share an apart
ment with Jeanie and Phoebe?" he
said.
/ gasped and my heart missed a
beat. How could I tell Jim that
Virginia and I weren't even on
speaking terms?