The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-03-13
HEART OF EILEEN
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Eileen Wainwright, leaning back
wearily against the eretonne-covered
back Of the piazza rocker, could not
help overhearing the conversation go
Ing on Just inside the club window.
At first the words had no meaning,
for her own thoughts were busy with
other things. Then She realized that
some one, an often referred to "she,"
was most unpopular with the convers-
ers, and suddenly hearing her own
name mentioned she realized that she
herself was the subject Of this un-
pleasant discourse.
It was Mrs. Langdon Merrill talking
to her sister, Mrs. Enoch Cuthbert,
about her son, Lionel Merrill and Eli
cen herself.
"Don't you see it all, Jenrie?" said
Mrs. Merrill's voice. She's come back
because she's tired of nursing. You
know that's what both the Wainwright
girls did after their father lost his
money-trained for nurses. And as
she and Lionel had a sort Of boy and
girl affair, she thinks she'll take 1t up
now where they left off. 1 shouldn't
worry about 1t, only the girls raw.
Ing. tearing beauty. She's got that
sort Of ethereal look about her that
appeals to a man. And she knows
It, you can gamble, and she's going to
play for big game. But she's not
going to marry Lionel Merrill II I
know anything. just when he was be-
ginning to take an interest In Mary
Evans-the very thing I've set my
heart on all my life. I don't know
what the Aberdeens meant by asking
her here! Why didn't she 90 to France,
where she's needed? I've no patience
with nurses who don't 60 to France"
There was more, but Eileen, decid-
Ing she had heard enough, got up ana
left.
Her Indignation had cooled to q
quiet amusement.
She Joined the Aberdeens at the end
Of the terrace, watching q set OF ten
MS.
"Thirty-love," explained Jean Aber.
deem as Eileen came up. "Lion Merrill
and Mary Evans are winning"
It was the first time Eileen had seen
him for seven years, and she approved
Of what she saw.
"Why didn't Lionel Join the armyr
she asked Jean.
'Why!" jeans eyes were indignant.
Because his mother wouldn't let him.
It's a shame, when he wanted to go SO.
The set over, Lionel came up to the
group on the terrace. "It's little Eileen
back again." he said, taking her hand
and looking searchingly down into ner
eyes. "And she's come back a very
beautiful lady-but 1t strikes me, sad
lady. Well have to have a few par
ties to brighten her up, see that"
Eileen laughed and shook her head.
'Jt's not time for parties, Lionel. One
can't feel festive these days"
Mrs. Merrill arrived in time to hear
the remark.
"You're very patriotic, Miss VAIN
wright. One would think your patriot
ism would carry You across seas"
Eileen's face clouded. 81 wanted to
CO." she said simply. my sister and
I drew lots and she won."
Several days passed in which Lionel
Merrill managed to see Eileen very OF.
ten.
Then, one soft evening in June, when
the stars were struggling through q
long pale twilight, he told her he loved
her.
"Eileen, dear. I love you" he said
suddenly. 'T can't let you 60 back to
New York. I can't let you go away
again, my white angel"
She drew away gently. Lionel, we
must not talk Of love. 1t can't be. You
see, know your mother doesn't ap'
prove of me. And I'll never marry
man against his mothers wishes. Good
by, dear boy. I must 60 In. And please
don't try to see me again"
Two days later Doctor Harhison
CdIuS uO"uStdllo a. eh0
where Mrs. Merrill was anxlous'y
waiting for him In the hall.
"It's pneumonia, Mrs. Merrill. Lionel
must have a nurse right away. But
there isn't an extra nurse In the state.
''But what shall we do?"
"Tm sure I don't know, Mrs. Mer'
rill."
IT have It," she exclaimed. There
q girl-a nurse visiting near here. Per-
haps she'll come" But her 7olce was
unwilling.
Mrs. Merrill herself called on the
telephone and stated her case.
"rm sorry" said Eileen. 'My rest
is over, Mrs. Merrill. must return to
New York today. The babies ana
mothers need me. I'm pledged to them
and to the soldiers, If they iced me
on this side. can't take any one elsa"
"But Lionel needs you, my dear Mss
Wainwright. If he were q soldier
would you nurse himT
"Yes."
'Then, my dear, he'll be a soldier.