Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-12-30
A SERVICE RECORD /
BY MARY McDoNoUoH.
SeSeNeSeSeSRAeSeSeSe

q, 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate,
She was yeomanette-an efficient
wartime servant Of Uncle Sam. She
was very lovely In her service uniform.
All day the click of her typewriter
sounded nghtninglike, all night her
needle flew, for there was hope
chest, and, laden away with lavender
scented embroideries, were prayerful
hopes that he-a lowly doughboy IN
France-would return to her, sound in
body and mind
She grew horribly lonely at times.
Occasionally other girls, situated like
herself, would accept others invitations
just to help ease away the gnawing
ache Of loneliness. Not Eileen, how
ever.
One day Roy Robbins, first lieu
tenant on a warship anchored In the
harbor-dashing, and already with
notable sea record-had occasion to go
over some records In Eileen's depart
ment. He thought her different" and
charming, and found several reasons
for returning.
One day he said: II suppose some
busybody told you I was married; I
suppose you think me the proverbial
sailor with sweetheart In every port.
I'm not. But l admit have been
married. However, there's a separa-
ton, which will undoubtedly end In
prompt divorce, though 1t was not my
wish. would have told you all had
you given me the privilege"
Elleen's lovely face flushed. She had
the old-fashioned ideals of marriage,
with all Its sacredness, She was
shocked and offended.
I'm so sorry" she said, sincerely.
II refused you only because the man I
love and am promised to is In France,
fighting. I'm keeping loyal for just
him. But tell me about yourselfT'
So Lieutenant Robbins, Invested Of
his graceful manners and official au-
thority, was now just an unhappy
lonely man, telling his woes to good
woman.
TITS absurd, and so easily straight
ened outi" Eileen exclaimed. "Pm
sure she still loves you, and somehow
feel that through 1t all you'll always
love just her. Wouldn't you try"
mo use tanning the ashes of dead
love-" bitterly. "The last sparks ex-
PRED"
Suddenly came his orders to sail.
Napna too tho coll fo.. xnoI1pfaar van-
man (F) for Washington and the Great
Lakes. Eileen grasped the opportunity
Robbins home was In Washington
Perhaps she could manage to meet his
wife; one could not foretell what SER
vice she might render.
Because she was so lovely, so golden
and so all-peaches-and-cream, Eileen
easily made friends Of all classes. She
found Marguerite Robbins, lovely,
slender girl Of 25 or 20. Marguerite
opened her heart. They had become
fast friends Eileen was consoling,
even optimistic.
Later came long-remembered Sun
day afternoon, when Eileen was sur
prised to find Lieutenant Robbins
awaiting her in the shabby Washing
ton boarding house. She had written
and implored him to look up her sol
dier-lover, who had been wounded
overseas. She never mentioned his
wife.
"A message from your man, Robbins
explained. "He was hurt rather badly,
but he's getting on. They say he called
for you ceaselessly in his delIrium."
And when Eileen had shot her myriad
scorchlng Questlonings about her Jim,
she ventured, "And your"
"Only hoping some T N 4 will blow
my fool head off, You knew me better
than I knew myself when you said I
loved my wife. do, but it's too late
House closed up, and l understand
there really is an0theri"
How cruelty untruel" Eileen was
all excitement. "What foolish pride
keeps you from seeking herr She is
really lonely, sick and Borrowing. Just
week ago, worn out with broodlng,
she was ordered to a sanltarlum on
the Potomac"
LATE that afternoon the miracle hap
pened Marguerite Robbins thought, ns
she saw the familiar whlte.unlformed
officer approaching that It was VI
sion. But she could not mistake the
glad, ringing voice.
"Sweetheart 1" he cried holding her
close. "The long months I've kept you
unhappy But | didn't understand,
dearest. I'm afraid we both believed
malicious, false gossip" Then,
shocked. How pale and thin you've
grown, preclousp
"Rov dearp she sobbed happily.
"You do care. don't you. dearP Every
4, ...,e.., 1T. -.