The Wilmington morning star., 1941-02-09

Oh LnenQ was True. DoI Joo
have known, long ago, Paul-Id
do anything for you."
Martha thought, as they were
left behind there IN the road, that
perhaps this crisis had worked a
minor miracle. 1t had brought Paul
closer to Suzanne-it had given SUI
zanne a chance to atone. How
odd, that my life and Bills should
touch the lives of others at every
point.
She did not need, now, to hear
Paul tell her that he, too, had ben
wrong. He had thought loving her
was only his own business-that it
could have no effect on others
while he locked it in his own heart.
But it had-it had poisoned Bills
mind and Suzanne's.
But that's over now. Paul has
learned, too"
A swift word to the sentry, and
they were driving through tn
camp street, stopping at the ad-
ministration building. Bill raced
out, Martha b e d him. She
caught up with him, whispered,
"One more kiss, darling. Then
you'll face them. And so will Il"
A moment later, Bill was smart
ly saluting a young officer. "Pri-
vate Marshall reporting, sir. l.
I've been absent without leave"
The young officer looked at Mar
tina. Her chin came up. May I
speak to the commanding officer,
please?"
Bill was led away, after a last
long look and her smile, sure and
proud, to stiffen his spine. mo
matter what comes now, Bill can
face it with courage" she thought.
She, herself, faced with courage
the stern, gray-haired man behind
the big desk in the bare, clean Of
flee. 81 only wanted to explain,
SIR" she said steadily. MY hus-
+ band and I had been having trou-
BILE. He thought I'd left him, and
he lost his head, went home to
find out whether I'd really gone.
!. Whatever he's done has been my
fault, too. I must share the
blame"
The commanding officer ye d
her with frosty wisdom. "Unfor-
| tunately, Madam. the Army has
no jurisdiction over wives" He
leaned forward, ~softening a little.
eff women could only get it
through their heads tn most
mems attitude depends to a tragic
extent on the attitude Of their
wives! Madam, it was your duty,
as a soldiers wife, to see to it
that your husband was inspired
in his solemn job of training-not
distracted. 1t was your duty to
encourage him, to be enthusiastic,
loyal, proud of his having assumed
the duties of a citizen soldier!"
Martha's eyes fell. Two spots
of color burned in her cheeks. No
words came.
Madam, u country has de-
manded far greater sacrifices from
its men than the mere gift of a
year out of his life. Men have
died, and died gladly, for the glory
of our nation. And their wives
have been proud-have sent them
away with a smile! Without brave
women, we could never have brave
men. Remember that"
He rose abruptly. The interview
was closed. II shall try to do what
I can to see that your husband is
not dealt with too harshly," he
added. "Goodby."
She did not know, when S e
drove out of the camp, how long
it would be before she could re-
turn. She did not know what they
would do with Bill nor what his
punishment would consist of. But
whatever it is, We'll take it," she
thought. We'll take it with a
smile"
A week later, Martha was driv-
ing into that camp n C more. She
was being allowed to visit Bill in
the guardhouse for the first time.
He still had two months to serve.
But when she saw him, she real
lied anew how tiny the punish
went was, how CALAMITY he was
enduring it.
"Oh, Martha, it's so good to see
you'll"
"Darling!" She was close in his
arms. I'm so happy! Even though
you're here, and I'm there, l keep
feeling that we've started v e +.
Everything's fresh and clean and
wonderful" She kissed him gaily.
And l have news. Paul's been
sent to our new plant on the West
Coast. He and Suzanne were mar
ried before he left"
Her eyes, gloriously sure now,
teased him. $50 keep your mind
on the Army, Bill! A few more
weeks, and you'll be out showing
them the right way to go over the
top, or whatever it is they teach
you" Her voice sang. "Oh, dar-
ling, I love you SO! I'm waiting for
you-and I'm the best, the hap
piest %conscript's wife in the coun-
try"
Bills voice shook. You're the
most wonderful conscript's wife,
darling. I don't deserve it. But I'll
spend the rest of my life showing