Norwich bulletin., 1921-01-07
FROM LUCILLE'S DIARY


The lilacs just coming into bloom re-,
mind me. of May party 1 went to in
France last year. think the perfume
of lilacs and apple blossoms will Always
take me back in memory of, that lovely
evening.
l was dull and little homesick as /
walked to the chateau to the, senior Of
ficers' mess and 1 was wishing for soma
excitement to heighten my sagginS mo-
rale When 1 entered our sale a man |
GER 1 noticed a strange captain talking
earnestly to our C. o. When Col. Brac- I
err saw me he said genially: Here's some
one who may solve your problem" and he
introduced Col Stance.
Pm in the most ridiculous predica-
nent," explained the captain. I'm oevr
here in place of friend of mine who
was thrown from his horse today, and
now that 1 am here I'm quite at sea-"
You Know 1 am here as aid and COM
fort to the army" 1 answered smiling.
81 feel encourage already responded
Capt. Stance charningly. You see,
there's a dance on in Neufchateau tonight.
a May party, and Bozworth,. that's my
| unlucky friend whose leg was badly
fractured this fternoon, had engaged to
| come over here for some young lady. The
| funny part is that he didn't know her
himself, but he had promised his major
| to do escort duty for him. as the MAJOR
had been on three days leave to Paris
| and he won't be back until just in time
| for the party.
"Poor old Boz was terribly upset and
said 1 would take the detail. He was
| so ouieted by my offer that he fell OH
| TO sleep and the surgeon declared ne
| would have me courtmartialed If L woke
him to inquire the young lady's name:
How am 1 to find the one 1 came for!
/ Do they all mess here?"
NO indeed" I replied. I'm the only
one eating here. Some are at the junior
| officers mess some eat with the enlisted
| men and two of the girls are messing
with a village family for practice IN
French. But don't look so despair1ng
for I'll get detail to page the lucky
girl who is to go to your party. IL the
colonel will excuse me, III run down 10
fine hut and see if the girls on duty there
know anything about it. II they don I.
I'll start a detail right away to search
There, captain" said the colonel ad-
miringly. "is an example of prompt &C
4 ton" and I ~ laughingly away.
4 When 1 asked the girls who were
!. serving chocolate and cookies in our hut
whether either of them had a dance date
for the evening they booted at me.
1 Turning to Corporal Meggs. request,
ed him to lLok for a girl who was goins
to Neufchateau to party.
eff YOU don't find any such person II
a quarter of an hour. please report at my
billet, Meggsy'' I said. and I went imme
| diately there myself and put on my coo
summer uniform, and policed mysel
carefully.
'sWell. Lucille what is the good word?'
5 asked the colonel when l returned U
1 mess. Were you SUGGEST ul?''
mot vet. Col, Bracer I'm sorry to say
but Corporal Meggs is just going. over t
COMPANY K mess to see is Miss Berna!
is the mysterious unknown"
But, child, you know Miss Bernay nev
er dances"
ooh. dear. that so, Ign afraid 1t mus
r be some one in another camp. Are yo'
t sure that Capt. Bozworth told you tia
: it was Erie da Petite. Capt. Sance?
e Perhaps he said Erie la Grande :"
: by Jove. re there two Edizes!'
4 IT'S too late for you To go "a rther an
get back to your dance at Neufchateau.
/ said the Colonel
g what am 1 to do? Return without
: partner for the major md fail poor oil
. | Boz VINO lntruSted me WIN tnlS quest!
'I suggest said the dear old colone
i after catching my eye, that you take
: substitute Here's young lady who
IS always ready TO do her bit of dancing
II Twill you really go? How bully
d you ~ exclaimed Capt. Stance. In fe
ID moments we were on our way, throug
l. the moonlight scented with lilacs and al
n pie blossoms Notwithstanding that II
J. major gruffly showed his disappoinf
ment I had a splendid time, for thel
were about fifteen officers to every gil
Indeed, I was having so much fun that
III could not bear to go before the dance W;
lie over, SO when Capt. Stance warned n
lg that it was time to start I said I wou
d. stay all night at Neufchateau. I askt
m a girl I met Of could share her billet
n "1 have only three-quarter bed" 81
e. replied assured her that would be {
no right with me, for I was so tired that
could sleep anywhere. When I awoke
= the morning 1 saw her lying rolled in
blanket on the floor. I don't see why s.