Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1941-05-02

shipboard how matters turned out al
the bank.
The day for departure arrived. Son
ny was up at six, impatient to be off
Rene took her to the train. He was
thinner, and very sad. 81 would new.
er let you go if it were not for the
war;" he said. II could have com.
bated the money, but not the war, too
l loved you very much, Leslie. You've
made me very happy"
"Thank you, Rene. I'll never for.
get you."
A little whistle blew. 1t was time
to leave. Rene put her on the train
and kissed her. Goodbye, my little
American girl, and God bless YOU"
And as she watched his uniformed
figure swinging down the platform,
so straight and handsome, she knew
somehow that she would never see
him again.
The long journey was hot and un-
comfortable. AS the train sped thru
the peaceful north country, and Son.
ny gazed at the surrounding farms,
almost ready for harvest, it was hard
to believe that war might be the reap
er.
1t was night when the little chan
mel boat came into the British har-
Dor at Folkstone. Suppressed excite
ment was everywhere. Troops filled
the station. The war was real again.
It was a clear night and the moon
had not risen. AS Sonny stood on
deck, she saw the great searchlights
sweeping the sky.
A French second officer standing
beside her remarked, "On such a
night as this, they will come" He
referred to enemy planes, and all the
tragedy Of the world was in his voice.
London was seething with troops,
too. All the hotels were crowded but
Sonny managed to get cot in the
dining room.
She met several American college
girls on their way home. They were
thrilled with the whole episode, but
annoyed that war rumors had cut
short their European vacation. Sonny
was glad to learn that they too, were
sailing on the Athena"
It would make things much pleas
anter.
So Sonny started home.
On the morning of the third day
the purser brought her Dicks cable
She ripped it open anxiously: est.
uation satisfactory. Nothing definite
yet. Hope for the best"
The message cheered her consider
ably. Maybe things might work out
all right after all.
For the first time in her life Son.
ny was travelling as an ordinary tour
list and she liked it. The crowd was
gay and amusing. Then came the
news everyone feared. War had beer
declared!
. Sonny was heart-sick. Poor Rene
She could not enter into any gayety
that afternoon, but went down to hel
crowded cabin and tried to rest. Al
dinnertime, she could not eat, so went
on deck. She walked and walked
watching the deepening twilight.
Suddenly there was a terrific i'm
pact. Afterward she could never re-
member just what happened. Sonny
was thrown to the deck. There was
a terrible explosion =. another
followed by sudden silence. Their
screams rent the air. The sound Of
running feet.
Sonny, got up, dazed. A member
of the crew came running. He thrust
life preserver into her hand. "Sub.
marine! Put this on!"
The ship was listing. She manag.
ed to get into the life preserver, but
her fingers shook so she could not tie
the strings. Somehow she got down
on the lower deck. The place was 9
mad-house. A little girl was scream
ing for her mother. Sonny took the