Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1921-10-27
IA SERVICE RECORD
BY MARY McDoNoUcH.
q. 1921. by McCIura Newsnaner

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 lightninglike, all night heE>.
needle flew, for there was hope
chest, and, laden away with lavender.
scented embroideries, were prayerfu1
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
Misunderstanding and already with a
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.
busybody told you I was married;
suppose you think me the proverbial
sailor with a 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 it was not my
wish. l would have told you all had
you given me the privilege"
Eileens lovely face flushed. She had
the old-fashioned ideals of marriage.
with all its sacredness. She was
shocked and offended
"Pm so sorry" she said, sincerely.
81 refused you only because the man
love and am promised to is in France,
fighting. I'm keeping loyal for just
him. But tell me about YOURSELF"
So Lieutenant Robbins, Invested Of
his graceful manners and official au-
thority, was now just an unhappy,
lonely man, telling his woes to a good
woman.
s'It's absurd. and so easily straight
ened out !" Eileen exclaimed. I'm
sure she still loves you, and somehow
I feel that through it all you'll always
love just her. Wouldn't you try"
"No use tanning the ashes of a dead
love-" bitterly. "The last sparks ex-
PRED"
Suddenly came his orders to sail.
Came, too, the call for volunteer yeO-
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 MISREPRESENTATION. Eileen
easily made friends Of all classes. She
found Marguerite Robbins, a lovely,
slender girl of % or &c. Marguerite
opened her heart. They had become
fast friends. Eileen was cOnsoling,
even optimistic.
Later came a 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 deirium."
And when Eileen had shot her myriad
scorching questlonings about her Jim,
she ventured, "And yon?" H.
"Only hoping some T n T will blow
my fool head off, You knew me better
than | knew myself when you said
loved my wife do, but It's too late.
House closed up, and understand
there really is anotherr'
"How cruelty untrue!" Eileen was
all excitement "What foolish pride
keeps you from seeking her? She Is
really lonely, sick and sorrowing Just
a week ago worn out with brooding,
she was ordered to a sanitarium on
the Potomac N
Late that afternoon the miracle hap
pened. Marguerite Robbins thought, as
she saw the familiar white-uniformed
officer approaching, that 1t was vi
sion. But she could not mistake the
glad, ringing voice.
Sweetheart - 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, precious!"
"Roy, dear!'' she sobbed happily.
''You do care, don't you, dea Every
thing is so beautiful and bright again.
Why, I've just got to keep living now"
Many months later Eileen's Jim
came back from the war. The doctors
said he might never be well again.
But Eileen's faith was strong. He
had little money, but she had not
scraped and saved In vain. Il found