Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1940-12-26
America Wins
90
By RICHARD HILL WILKINSON
Mcclure syndicate-wNU service.)

MluIdnoerS tney can't sink our
ships" She searched his face. as
Cary coming DOWN."
Instantly Chef sobered. IT believe
so. He couldn't get away until this
evening. Cary doesn't think as you
and do, Peg"
Peggy knew feeling Of apprehen-
sion. She wouldn't let herself be-
lieve that her fears were justified.
When Cary arrived she was alone.
He swept her into his arms.
Hello, darling. Sorry I couldn't
come down with Chet-Good heav-
ems, what's wrong?"
Nothing. Nothing except that I
expected you'd be wearing a uni
form"
II see." Cary's face grew sober.
$50 it's got you, too?"
Got me?" Peggy's eyes blazed.
IF you mean the spirit of patriot
ism that every true blooded Amer
lean should have at time like this,
the answer is yes"
''All right, honey. No need to
get upset. I didn't mean to con-
denim you for the way you feel.
You're young and you can't know
the meaning of war;
Cant I? Well, let me tell you
this: know that your country
needs you, needs every man avail.
able. Our ships have been sunk,
our people killed, our honor insult
ed by nation that has had her eye
on us for the last decade. I know
that every citizen with a drop of
loyal blood in his veins should stand
ready to defend his country!"
Defend it-yes. When it needs
defending I'll be there. But not
when an American vessel carrying
supplies and ammunition to another
warning nation has been torpedoed.
That isn't invasion"
Cary Easton, you're a coward
and traitor to say thatl"
"of course. I'm afraid. Who
wouldn't be? Who isn't? Why"
But Peggy had turned and fed.
It was a month later that Peggy
read In the papers about Cary's en-
listment. She sat down and wrote
to him. She loved him, and loved
him in spite Of everything.
Cary answered her letter. He had
thought over what she had said.
That's why he had enlisted-because
he loved her and wanted her more
than anything. More. even, than
life. He tried to see her, but at the
last minute his regiment was
shipped south and from there it en-
barked three days later for the war
zone.
Within the month she heard news
Of her brothers death-shot down
on the battlefield. An honorable
death, the dispatch read. \
This was in May. In September
she stopped hearing from Cary.
There was terrible ache and pain
in her heart, a fear, an emptiness.
Hope remained alive, but it was
miserable hope.
In December an armistice was
declared. According to the news
papers America had won the war.
The Midlanders had been sup
pressed. There was rejoicing and
celebrating on all sides. The first
boat load of'returning soldiers came
home in January. Peggy stood in
the icy wind and watched them dis
embark. Cary was not among
! them.
In May the last boat load arrived.
Peggy was not at the dock to meet
it. She had given up hope. And
yet hope lived again when she heard
knock at her door. She opened
it and looked at the man standing
there. After while she recognized
him. 1t was Cary-what was left of
Cary. Something caught at her
heart; sob escaped her lips.
Hours later they sat in front Of
the fire. and, Peggy looked up into
the bitter, distorted features of the
man she had sent away, and said:
Things are going to be just the
same, darling-iust as we planned.
II want to get married at once"
Don't be a fool, Peggy. Why,
there's nothing left Of me- Do you
think for minute I'd ruin your life
by marrying you? Lordl I'll never
be able to work again as long as I
live. I'd be a milestone" He
laughed bitterly. 'I-only came
back to show you-that l was
right"
Peggy reached up and kissed
him. Then she put him to bed
and left him. For hours she sat
alone In the living room, planning
how they'd live together, how they'd
get along, how she'd take care Of
him.
The next morning she stole into
Cary's room to see if he was awake.
But he wasn't. He lay on the bed
stili and cold. There was a tiny
phial on the table beside the bed,
empty. And near it was a note,
written in Cary's hand. "Good-by,
darling. Forgive me. 1t was cruel
of me to come back. but l wanted
you to know, to see for yourself"
Outside a band was playing. The
townfolks were celebrating the re-
turn Of their heroes. America ha,i
won the war.