The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-29
Ts BLUE
DOOR
Il Rachel CMack
q o3s NEA Service. Iac.
CHAPTER ONE
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WI young men leaving an
Eastern Army camp in the
fall of 1917, both in a great
hurry. both carrying suit
cases and wearing on their
collars the shining new bars
of second lieutenancy, bumped
squarely into one another.
Each muttered "PardonI" at the
same time and fastened on his way.
Each was about to be sent overseas.
Each was going home first. for a
brief visit with an adored wife and
child. Each, during that visit, took
on his knees his baby daughter and
caressed her, and wondered if he
would come back to the things he
loved-home and wife and child.
Brian Chalmers. turning 2-year-
old Elaine back TO her sedate Eng
lish nurse, pulled one Of the child's
sunny curls teasingly. "Good-by,
Beautiful You'll be asleep when I
pull out in the morning. If l don't
come back, don't take any wooden
nickels or stepfathersi'
The child laughed with delight at
the Jolly. meaningless words her ia
ther was saying She liked his
pungent. tobaccoish, shaving cream
smell, and the feel Of his lean, hard
cheek against her own.
She liked his big polished boots
and the funny belt that went around
his waist and up over his one Shout
der. BY Daddy" she said kissing
him rapturOusly
She likes men, the child's moth
or drawled. She was a beautiful
woman in a clinging sea green neg
ligee. with a face that was rather
soft and petulant. Shes going to
be man-hungry. that girl A little
witch. I'm already jealous of her -
The man drew his wife to the
arm of his chair and buried his face
in the scented lace of her negligee.
You like men, too" he accused.
IF I'm blown to atoms over there
you'll select the best-looking mourn
ing in town. You'll wear it becom-
ingly for a year. and the day you
step out Of it you'll marry Higate
Dealt"
"Darlingl" she demonstrated.
Must you be spiteful about all the
men who have nice safe jobs in
Washington"
No" answered Brian Chalmers.
only when they're your old suitors
and still in love with YOU. Gwen.
you'll take good care of Elaine,
won't you?"
The woman's eyes opened in sur
prise. What a thing to say to
the child's own motherl Please re-
member, dear, that 1 love her, too.
I put in hours and hours selecting
her little frockS and toys"
L know" the man nodded impa-
tientiy. But I'm thinking of her
character. Gwen. and things like
that. I want her to grow up to be
fine and straight and dependable .
He paused uncertainty and lit a
cigaret. Lord. What do 1 want
for her?" He looked after the lovely
child as she toddled up the broad
stairway. holding tightly to her
nurses hand I suppose I just
want her to have anything in this
world that will make her happy
Yes" he repeated it, rather like a
prayer. anything in the world
that will make her happy"
THE other young man was
l. named George Woodson. He
and his wife. Eleanor, We're so beau
tifully and simply in love with each
other that this short leave of his
was like a bit of heaven in a sea
of horror. Through every hour of
its radiance sounded the relentless
drum-beat of approaching separa-
ton. of Submarine-infested seas,
and war to be fought
They were restless in their love
and fOreboding. George said. Let's
walk along the river this evening.
It's swell in October"
I'D thought of a picnic supper
there Eleanor replied. AT the
little cove where We used to go when
We were engaged. But there's Baby
Ruth. dear She has a croupy cough
and we shouldn't leave her. Mrs.
Gary would come in TO look after
her. but I'm just afraid-do you
mind terribly? I've a party for us
in the icebox. A cold chicken and
all the things you love"
George WoodSon took his wife in
his arms. Mind. dear? 1t doesn't
matter to me where I am, just so
you are near enough to touch. Tell
me. Eleanori If I don't come back,
will you PROMISE"
Her dark eyes widened in pain
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