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[Page 73]
-42-
in uniform that made my senses reel. And my heart almost stopped beating as he came towards me, and I realised it was Ron, who that morning had arrived by the Makura. His surprise was not as great as mine for he heard that the "Niagara" was only two days ahead, and he thought there might be a possible chance of catching me up. We found that we were actually booked for the same section of the same train and the number was - 13.
We talked hard for the next three hours, and I found that negotiations set afoot when I was in London had taken effect, and he was able to leave by passenger ship three weeks after me. He also came through America by another route, taking in Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City and embarking at San Francisco. Everywhere he was treated with the greatest kindness. He and a friend also an aviator, met men who would not allow them to pay their way, and arranged for motor drives at their various stopping places. He had sent a cable from San Francisco, and I found afterwards that as it exactly synchronised with my expected arrival on the 20th of August, was signed 'James' my husband made the very natural mistake of thinking that it was mine.
Only that his overcoat was in my berth the next morning, I should have thought I had dreamt seeing him. The weather was disagreeable at Albury, but I did not mind anything then, my heart was very light and joyous. Even those last hours that I thought would be very long, after two years absence, sped like lightening, and when the train drew in at Spencer Street, my own people were all there to meet me, not a single face missing. There were too, many dear friends who gave me a joyous welcome home. The flowers that I couldn't hold nearly filled my car, and best of all my dear brave boy saved from the dangers, (none knew better than I how great) was there almost restored to health.
My heart over flowed with thankfulness, and it was through a mist of tears that I bade them all this time a temporary-
- GOOD-BYE. -
72. [written in pencil in top right hand corner]