The Washington herald., 1919-05-10
CONFESSIONS OF A
WAR BRIDE

Tommy was gone! To kill Hamilton
Certeis-on my account He was out
Of sight before ! could raise a pro-
test! Certeis deserved to die for his
sins against my country. but my
adopted brother must not be a mur-
derer! realized that I must find
Tommy at once-that must stop him.
Never since Bob enlisted had felt
SO helpless and alone. Tommy had
warned me to keep on the streets,
and with good reason as I very well
knew. But this was no time to yield
to feminine fears. I rushed to make
ready to go out.
As adjusted my hat thought nv
lace In the glass was whittier than
usual I had been shut up practically
as prisoner. first in one place then
in another. ever since I had run away
from the Lorimer home.
I thought Of Bob in that military
hospital. my Bob who they told me
had forgotten me. And / thought of
Katherine Miller-of her undoubted
love for my husband and Of her purs-
Ing him in France. She would nurse
him again in this country IL the news
paper interview 1 had read was true.
And my prophetic soul told me that
u was true; that this sir, who knev
how to nurse Bob back to health and
memory of his marriage with me
his love. "Ai
AS these things flashed through
my mind I paused before that glass
What II Just stayed quietly in nv
room and allowed Tommy TO make
an end Of the diabolical physician
who had proven himself not only nv
personal enemy but also a spy? The
police were sure to arrest Ce,teis
soon. but proba bly, not before he had
had time to establish Katherine in
that hospital where she again would
be in a position TO influence my hus-
band
think during those minutes be-
fore my mirror faced the greatest
temptation of my life. Tommy
might not be found out-and any
way it was not real murder to kill
spy. So ! reasoned, and hesitated
on the very point of action. / knew
I was wrong. but loved Bob so
and was iealously afraid Of Kath-
crime!
At last. however. my better self
conquered. l pinned hat and veil in
place and hurried toward the outer
6nnr Epf xxrfth
knob I stopped breathless from fear
There was a sound OF heavy feet
pounding up the stairs.
What had happened now? Was I
too late? Had Tommy accomplished
his mission? Was he fleeing from
the police? Was he coming to warn
me OF a new danger? l knew it
must be the latter. for my adopted
brother had not had time to reach
Certeis' house. let alone return.
My knees shook under me. for sud
denly ! realized that there were not
one but two pairs of feet fastening
toward ME. Tommy's excited
voice was addressing another per-
son.
She's in here" I heard him tell
somebody.
With his words the door was
flung open and two men burst into
the room.
oh" / cried. what"
But my question was never fin
ished. 1t was smotheTed against
the khaki blouse of Tommy's COM
panion.
How Bob and ] got into each 9TH
er's arms l never knew. Things
started whirling the moment I saw
my hus stands face. / did not faint,
but when the world came right side
UP again Bob was holding me close
and whispering:
Hush dear-it's no time for my
brave girl to so to pieces-my own
love" and other precious words
that my heart heard and will re-
member always. Eut / cannot tell
them; they are my own souls
jewels Of great price.
And so my miserable days and
nights of fearful worry came to an
end. ] was at home at last in my
own dear husbands arms. 1t
seemed a miracle. and I think per-
haps / do not fully realize it even
yet
But the story was simple enough.
Bob's cure came suddenly. as so
many shell shock cures do come.