The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-31

her heart, she relaxed and let
exhaustion help her into a deep
and dreamless sleep.
When she awoke. it was morn
ing again. She felt newborn
fresh and alert and fit; she sang
as she slipped into her shower,
came back to select a fresh.
crisp uniform from those hang.
ing in the closet, and got into
it. She went downstairs naoving
sWiftlv and lightly
There was the very faint
tlnkle of china and glass from
the side terrace which the
family used as an outdoor din
Ing room throughout the hot
weather. She followed the sound
to find Mark, looking tired but
very smart and neat in his we'll
tailored uniform, just beginning
his second cup of coffee.
Hi, there, Lieutenant" he
greeted her, and held chair
for her, smiling warmly. "You
look like the very top of the
morning."
II feel on top of the morning."
she told him gally, and dug hun
grlly into the slice of cold melon
the waitress had put before her.
bills going to get well-isn't it
glorious?"
Every glorious" said Mark
quite sincerely, and studied her
curiously for moment. "What
became of all the doubts and
noA 4noqe ue7W I iuo!snJuoo
and Bill"
Cathy flushed but she met his
eyes steadily.
81 was a blind fool" she told
him quietly. 81 guess l was hurt
because he. was taking so long to
to make an honest woman of
me by announcing that we we're
married. I was all tied up inside
and all full of pride and-well,
I let myself believe I didn't love
him any more. I know better
now"
Mark nodded. "I had it figured
out that way" he admitted.
"Did you? I'm glad. I hope
Bill will understand, said
Cathy, abashed.
'He will-don't worry. Bills
quite an understanding gent,
from all I've seen and heard, "
said Mark comfortingly.
The maid came, bringing toast
and scrambled eggs and coffee,
and Mark was silent until she
had departed. And then his eyes
twinkled a little, and his eye
brows went up.
''Well, Cathy, what about this
AWOL business? Or hadn't you
thought about it?' he asked
gently.
Cathy's eyes flew wide.
"Who's AWOL?" she deman-
ded.
"You are-or you will be with
in twenty-four hours, pet" said
Mark, grinning~ at her amaze
ment. I'm showing off today,
which will give me about eight
cen hours to get back to base.
I can just make it, provided l
make connections all the way
through I'm going to risk hang
ing around the airport in Allan
ia in the hope of hitching a ride
with some pal"
Cathy was wide-eyed with
shock.
my goodness! I'd forgotten
all about being on leave. Oh,
Mark, I can't leave now. Bill
needs me as I hope he won't
ever need me again! I've got to
look after him." she walled.
'Sure you have!" Mark
agreed. "Call your commanding
officer over long distance and
explain the circumstances and
ask for an extension of your
leave And then when you can
get away long enough ask for
your discharge. You'll find they
J re pretty understanding about
such situations. After all, wo-
mans first duty, nurse or civil
ian, is to her mani"
Cathy blinked hard and man
aged smile.
"You scared me for a minute,
she confessed.
"Good," said Mark sternly,
though the twinkle was warm in
his eyes. 81 meant to. l had a
hunch you'd forget all about the
Army if somebody didn't hand
you a jolt. You put that long
distance telephone call through
pronto, my pretty-and then ap-
| ply for your discharge The Red
Cross will lend a hand, If you
need 1t. Don't they always?"
"Of course said Cathy, and
smiled radiantly at him
/ 'Look, Cathy," Mark was
| quite grave now, 81 had talk
with the medics last night about
your husband. He's got a long,
hard pull ahead, but he's going
/ to make it. You're gong 70 have
your work cut out for you-but
/ because you're you, and he's
Bill, 1 know you won't mind.
But it Will be at least four or