The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-03-18

TO her lips as though enjOining caution.
Then with quick decision she went into
an inner room, from which she re-
turned in a moment with a letter.
IF you knew him you may care to
read this she said Its very per-
sOnal, and yet, some way, everything
is impersOnal now, in d sense. There
has been such q common cause, and
such a wave of common suffering, that
it seems to flood out over the individ-
Hal and embrace US all. So this
is really, in a sense, your letter as well
as mine"
l took it and read:
I have had many letters to write since
my service began as nurse in the war
but never have L approached the task
with such mixed emotions. The pain 1
must give you I would gladly bear myself
If 1 could: but it is not all pain; under
meath it, running through it in some way
cannot explain, is a note so much deeper
than pain that it must be joy
You have already been advised that Da-
Tid Eden was among those who fell at
Courcelette. 1t is trite to say that you have
the sympathy of a grateful nation. How
grateful the nation really is we shall
know by its treatment of the heroes who
survive the war and of the dependents of
ing can rob you of the knowledge that ne
played mans part. Nothing can debar
you from that universal fellowship of
sympathy which is springing up wherever
manhood is valued at its worth
A new Order has been born into the
world; the Order of Suffering. Not that it
IS new, either; it has been with US since
the first mother went into the shadow for
her first child; but always suffering has
been incidental. a matter of the individ-
uai, a thing to be escaped il possible But
now 1t is universal, a thing not to be
escaped, but to be accepted, readily
bravely, even gladly. And all who so ac-
cept it enter into the new Order and wear
its insignia, which is unselfishness and
sympathy and service. And in that Order
you shall not be least. measured By either
your sacrifice or the spirit in which you
accept it
But you are yearning for his last word;
for some voice which will seem to you
now almost voice out of the grave and
1 am happy to be able to bring you that
word. 1t was something more than chance
that guided me that night-as 1t is every
night
We were well behind the line of actual
fighting, but had become detached from
my party in moving to another station:
lost, il you like, yet not lost; never have
gone so directly to so great a destination.
While trying to get my location, became
aware of q presence; it viii sound strange
TO you, but became intensely aware OF
your presence OF course knew Il could
not be you. in the flesh, but you It seemed
TO be, nevertheless I moved as though
led by an invisible hand. and presently 1
found q bit of shattered wall In the
gloom I could just discern the form OF
man lying In the shelter OF the WALTZ
you could cali it shelter-it rose scarce q
foot above the ground
knelt beside him and turned my torch
on his face It vas pale even through the
brown skin; the eyes were closed: the hair
was wet and plastered on the forehead;
a.
his cheeks AS my light fell on his lips
they framed smile
'sReenie.'' he said, sit was good OF you
TO come. 1 knew you would come
''I am here, Dave answered, and I
think you win forgive the representation
Now let me find out where you are hurt
and wen nix you up. and get you moved
presently