Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-03-20
Uis
Canteen Angel
,sas. y w.st.sa S.vs,.,sr uaass.)
D A0 LAWToN

0lie0 with the horror OK war, ana 70
ward the American canteen khaki-clad
soldiers turned their weary faces with
all the eagerness Of homecoming.
There they would ind cheer and rest
and warm refreshment, greater per-
haps than these, the dear familiar vel
come Of "a American siri's smile.
Over the seas they had come. these
bF1gnt-faced girls, into the very realm
u danger in order that they might
serve In willing helpfalnse the brave
boys. who would sacrifice all. Like
children were these lonely fellows with
their conf1dsncea their. hunger for
sympathy-which Angela wis always
ready to give.
Back IN her ewn fortunate land the
favored girl had known No lack Of COM
fort or luxury; her friends had mar
veled at her renunciatioR AZ she babe
the,n sumlingly good-by; and here in
France Angela had learned what 1t
meant to be worn with labor. cold teo,
in these mornings Of early rising, but
she had not lost the smile which
charmed many.
Now the smile was different, some
way, with q sort Of tenderness in
place Of Its coquexy. The line Of
hungry waiting men singled her out
frog the helpers seeming to feel In
stinctively her kindly understanding.
Many stories Of tragedy and pathos
In
ward lives were all bravado. So,
among themselves. they came to call
her The Angel The Canteen Angel"
and Angela hearing Of Il, smiled again.
Tonight her blue eyes sought visit
fully for Bob'x cemiag.. Bob had wen
Also the interest Of the secretary.
Something besides anxiety Of war
10 hsttinx that. man." she said.
Yet he alone. Of all her big proteges,
had brought to her no condolences. A
hopeless, patient expression seemed to
+ bss stamping itself upon his formerly
joyous conntepance. The change
xrieveda Angela more than she could
tell she must find way to help him.
Now she turned her head as he
came slowly through the doorway. and
dancing tendril Of shining hair
slipped just below her ear. 1t was
pretty little curl, but then Angela
Was pretty altogether.
A big soldierSbefors, her Srinned de-
light eddy.
After you bring the chocolate
Angel" he said. i've some photos
from home fu show you"
From home r. smiled Angela, s'how
nice"
When Bob'rsaehed her side the room
'iwas almost empty. lie notisosd hin
to chairYnesr by.
.When anything, .treuhlss me-" aug
gested Angela, and the kindness Of hel
gaze belied her merry tone, iii helps
rue wonderfully to tAlk It ever With q
friend
Are you friendr Bsb asked ab
ruptly.
Angela nodded.
That" she answered quietly, II,
why "A, here
NY own trouble" Bob said bitterly
III merely an experience which comes
I dare say. to many. Only" h,
laughed shortly, "this was rather ,
hard time to- rub the sxpsrience IL
Goes, by 40 tolA-faahioasd name. be
aieve, ot--being disappointed in love-"
"Yss," prompted Angela. the usua
gay thrill in hsr- voice was lacking.
Girl was engaged to before cam,
over has broken the thing off," sait
Bob. Broken It OF rather definitely
for she has married my best friend
Some minor ahlietioa made him q
smpt from service. Il will Ill be NOR
.--belieyabis-afte1 a,tins II suppose
The difhcu]t thing now seems to bs t.
get used to the idea.
She's been joliyiny me along all tn
time. you see, with lsttscs-the kind o
letters a girl writes when you're tn
/ only one. And Jim, well, he hasn't 10
; lifelong friendship deter him frou
J using the advantage Of my absencs
} It's sort Of double blow. When II
Arst shock wears Off"
why, you must not take our woe
, 80 TO heart" he said. you are 4
J Vote as paper. Tn sorry told you.
Nm not" Angela replied. "A I'll
AS faithless as that is not wortfl-
even remembering. Do you know wha
am going to DOT" her eyes challenge
him--"l'm going to try to help you fol
] get her.
With her audacious little laugh tn
! pretty color came flooding back TO he
cheeks.
You must come here as often q
!. you can. All my amusing incident
shall save for your entertainment
We will have songs in our spare mi
;. ,nents, we will all be cheerful. W
. must not let the memory Of one foo
isi,, selfish sorrow interfere with OF
:. great present. For it Is great" II
> sisted Angela.
4 You and l and the rest Of us bel
!, are making history. Bob-world hi
i terry"
; : Your inspiration has got me-" /
,. said, and laughed. 1t was shall
\ laugh, but one devoid Of bitterness.
n When Bob Arsdale had gone. Il
a secretary came over to her helper.
h MY DEAR" she warned, you do n
IS realize your own captivating qualitie
). That big fellow will fall In love wi
/. you IL you don't take care"
e : The angel smiled as she winked Il
tears from her lAshes.
"And 1t Just might be-" she suggs,
cd gently, that don't wish to-tAl