Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-03-28
T6e
Canteen Angel
By JACK LAYTON
Copyright. 1919. by Western Newspaper Union

NN"fJhhHS AoA"s W "epheAh HNtWbphper bulOu'l
1t was desolate French village
filed with the horror of war, and to-
ward the American canteen khah-clad
soldiers turned their weary faces with
all the eagerness Of Homecoming.
There they would find cheer and rest
and warm refreshment, greater per
haps than these, the dear familiar well
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 We're these lonely fellows with
their condolences, their hunger for
sympathy-which 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 bade
them smilingly good-by; and here in
France Angela had learned what II
meant to be 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 sort of tenderness in
place of Its coquetry. The line Of
hungry waiting men singled her out
from the helpers, seeming to feel In
stinctlvely 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 1t, smiled again.
Tonight her blue eyes sought visit
fully for Bob's 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
grleved 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 tendrll Of shining hair
slipped just below her ear. 1t was
a pretty little curl, but then Angela
was pretty altogether.
A big soldier before her grlnned de-
lightedly.
after you bring the chocolate,
Angel" he said, "Tve some photos
from home to show you"
From homer smiled Angela, show
nice"
When Bob reached her side the room
was almost empty. She motloned him
to chair near by.
when anything troubles me-" sug.
gested Angela, and the kindness of her
gaze belied her merry tone, at helps
me wonderfully TO talk It over with
friend"
"Are you a frlend2" Bob asked alb
ruptly.
Angela nodded.
That" she answered quietly, "is
why am here"
my own trouble" Bob said bitterly
"is merely nm experience which comes,
dare say to many. Only" he
laughed shortly, this was rather n
hard time to rub the experience In
Goes by an old-fashloned name, / be.
hevo of-being disappointed In love"
yes" prompted Angela, the usual
gay thrill in her voice was lacking.
"Glrl / was engaged to before came
over has broken the thing on" said
Bob. Broken It off rather definitely |
for she has married my best friend |
Some minor anllctlon made him ex-
empt from service. II will all be more
-bellevable--after a time | suppose
The difficult 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 |
FIRST shock wenrs off"
"Why, you must not take our woes |
80 to heart" he said. "You nre MS |
white as paper. I'm sorry told You"
"Tm not" Angela replied. "a girl
as falthless as that is not worth
even remembering. DO you know what
/ am going to DOR her eyes challenged |
him-"Pm 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 rs
you can. All my amusing incidents
I 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
great present. For II Is greatw In
sisted Angela.
"You and / and the rest OF us here |
are making history, Bob--world his
tory"
"Your inspiration has got me-" ne |
said, and laughed. II was shaky
laugh, but one devoid OF bitterness.
When Bob Arsdale had gone, the
secretary came over to her helper.
MY dear" she warned, "yOu do not |
realize your own captivating qualities.
That big fellow will fall in love with
you II you don't take care"
The angel smiled as she winked the
tears from her lashes.
"And 1t Just might be-" she suggest.
cd gently, that don't wish to--taks
care"