Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-10-14
Ue
Canteen Angel

By JACK LAYTON

nlied with the horror OF war, and to-
ward the American canteen khnki-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 wei.
come Of an American girls smile.
Over the seas they had come. these
bright-faced girls. into the very realm
OF danger In order that they might
serve In willing helpfulness the brave
boys who would sacrifice all. Like
children were these lonely fellows with
their condolences. their hunger for
sympathy-whlch Angela was always
ready to give.
Back In her own fortunate land the
favored girl had known no lack of COM
fort or luxury; her friends had mar
veled at her Remuneration as she babe
them smilingly good-by; and here In
France Angela had learned what II
meant to DO worn with labor. cold too.
In these mornings OF early rising, but
she had not lost the smile which
charmed many.
Now the smile was different, some
way, with a sort OF tenderness In
place Of Its coquetry. The line Of
hungry waiting men singled her out
from the helpers. seeming to feel In
stinctively her kindly understanding.
Many stories of tragedy and pathos
Angela learned from men whose out
ward lives were all bravado. SO,
among themselves, they came to call
her "The Angel." "The Canteen Angel"
and Angela hearing Of II, smiled again.
Tonight her blue eyes sought visit
fully for Bob'a coming. Bob had won
also the interest Of the secretary.
Something besides anxiety Of war
Is fretting that man." she said.
Yet he alone, Of all her big proteges,
had brought to her no condolences. A
hopeless, patient expression seemed to
be stamping itself upon his formerly
joyous countenance. The change
grieved Angela more than she could
tell-she must find a 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 eur. II was
pretty little curl. but then Angela
was pretty altogether.
A big soldier before her grlnned de-
Ightedly.
After you bring the chocolate.
Angel" he said, 1--WE some photos
from home to show YOU"
From homer smiled Angela, "how
nice"
When Bob reached her side the room
was almost empty. She motioned him
to q chair near by.
"When anything troubles me-" sug-
gested Angela. and the kindness Of her
gazs belled her merry tone, at helps
me wonderfully to talk It over with a
friend"
"Are you a friendi" Bob asked alb
ruptly.
Angela nodded.
That" she answered quietly, ''is
why l am here"
MY own trouble" Bob said bitterly
rs merely an experience which comes.
dare say. to many. Only" he
laughed shortly. "thls was rather a
hard time to rub the experience in.
Goes by an old-fashloned name, l be-
lieve of-being disappointed In love-"
"Yes," prompted Angela, the usual
gay thrill In her voice was lacking.
"Girl was engaged to before came
over has broken the thing Of" said
Bob. Broken II OFF rather definitely,
for she has married my best friend.
Some minor affiiction made him ex-
empt from service. II will all be more
-belisvabls--after a time I suppose.
The difiicult thing now seems to be to
get used TO the idea.
"she's been jollying me along all the
time, you see. with letters-the kind of
letters a girl writes when you're the
only one. And Jim, well, he hasn't let
lifelong friendship deter him from
using the advantage Of my absence.
It's sort Of a double blow. When the
nrst shock wears on"
"why, you must not take our woes
20 to heart" he said. "You are as
white az paper. I'm sorry l told you"
'rm not" Angela replied. "A girl
as faithless as that is not worth
even remembering. Do you know what
am going to dor" her eyes challenged
hlm-"rm going to try to help you for
get her"
With her audacious little laugh the
pretty color came flooding back to her
cheeks.
"You must come here as often as
you can. All my amusing incidents
shall save for your entertainment.
We will have songs in our spare mo-
msnts, we will all be cheerful. We
must not let the memory Of one fool.
ish. selfish sorrow interfere with our
great present. For II is greatP In
sisted Angela.
"You and I and the rest Of us here
are making history, Bob-worid his
tory"
'Your inspiration has got me" he
said, and laughed. II was a shaky