Wed Feb 28, 1945

Marguerite & Willard have split up again. Duane came down about 8:15. Got car fixed - took a little ride but were home most of eve. We both cut-up and acted kinda silly at first. Tonight was really wonderful!! Duane acted & talked like he used to. Talked about getting married & our children. Duane said his grandpa likes me. He said I were nice & darn cute. Really made me feel good. Didn't get to bed until 2:00. Marguerite gave me crocheted dutch cap.

Tues Feb 27, 1945

Argenta played Bloomington in Regional at Clinton today. Rather dull day - not much happening. Lorene's birthday. Liked friendship bracelet. Wrote letter to "Zombie". Daddy got put on nights. Won't get to see much of him now. Not going to like that. Starts Mon. Lonesome -- plenty.

Mon Feb 26, 1945

Gee, I'm lonesome & have been all day. Evelyn & I went to sleep at noon. Duane was going to take car to garage to be worked on. Wonder how he came out. Daddy went to town. Got letter & picture from Zombie. Really good. Washed some things, put up hair, listened to radio, & to bed.

Sun Feb 25, 1945

Don't feel any different being 18. Duane came down about 5:45. Started to town but decided better not drive car till is fixed. Went to Wallace's. Really did have a swell time!! Just the girls there most of eve. Played with Jack. So sweet. Duane can say some beautiful things. Seems like I'm always seeing a new side of him. It's wonderful --- love. I mean, Duane is the most wonderful person in the world! I know that.

Sat Feb 24, 1945

[Grandma's Birthday today]Got off early - 2:00. Went to Victory & came home with Daddy. Got beautiful bracelet from Dorothy & Evelyn, "Singing Rain" ordered by Lorene, housecoat from Daddy & Ruth, and blouse from Judy & Buddy. Duane came after me before he went home. Spent the eve. at his house. Had fun. New car really swell but having a little trouble with it. Duane got me 8 piece Richard Hudnut (can't read her writing?) make-up kit in leather case. Really nice & do I like it! But I love him more. Had a swell birthday.

Fri Feb 23, 1945

Not as busy as thought would be. Evelyn & I worked tonight. Stayed all night at Mother's. Duane called me 4 times today - twice tonight. He got a car tonight. Boy, is he ever happy! - and me, too!! It's a 1939 Ford Tudor - cream colored. Can hardly wait to see it. Mother and I went to Luetta's awhile after work. Duane is getting so sweet.

Grandpa and that beautiful new car which he was so proud of!
Posted once already, I know. I need toget to scanning some more!

Thurs Feb 22, 1945

Mother & I were uptown all afternoon. Tog new slip & pr. brown sandals for birthday. Had dress for Easter laid away. Came home this eve. (Washed hair at Mother's.) Now at Grandma's & Luetta's. Washed clothes, ironed, put up hair. (Bank closed.)

I absolutely love this picture. It's a colorchrome photo and it's rare (from my findings) to find photos in color from this time. Isn't she lovely?

Wed Feb 21, 1945

Evelyn & I slept at noon. Duane called & woke me up. Stayed at Mother's all night. Called Duane & asked him to come over but instead went with Glen & Mildred. Started out to Wallaces but had to come back because of fog. Played pinochle & ate ice cream. Well, it happened. I couldn't help it. Duane talked to met about a lot of things but just couldn't talk. Afraid for him to think that I believe him too much.

Tues Feb 20, 1945

Duane and I had 1st date 2 yrs ago tonight.

Decided not to give letter to Duane. Daddy took Evelyn, Dorothy, Duane & I out to Maroa game at Arg. Won 40-31. Dance afterwards. Really had a wonderful time & so did the girls! Danced with Duane, Bob L., Johnny R., D., & C. So swell being there again. Evelyn thought John Rucker cute. We acted all silly & had such a swell time. Wonderful dancing with Duane again.

Mon Feb 19, 1945

Rather sleepy, but, oh so happy! Been humming a certain song all day. Duane called this aft. Made me feel so good! Said had been thinking of me and wanted to call. Told me that this is last week at coal office. Am so glad - and I know he is too. Wrote letter to him in eve. Hope that wasn't wrong thing to do. "Gen" at bank. Went out with her at noon. She's leaving for N.C. tomorrow morn.

Sun Feb 18, 1945

Duane down this morn. for a while. He is sweet to me. Came later about 5:45. Saw "Doughgirls". Fair. Ate at Brook's. Duane played "You Always Hurt the One You Love". Sure made a lump in my throat. I know he meant it. He said for me to write in my diary - "Duane always hurts the one he loves and he hurt me." I'm beginning to hope again that things will turn out like I've wanted them to. Hope I'm right. He has been wonderful to me. Both sorta dazed (? cannot read her writing again) & almost broke the promise to myself. We neither one could help it. To bed at 11:30!

A picture of grandma with her mother.

Sat Feb 17, 1945

"Light" day at bank. Duane called me at bank. Did that ever make me happy! No special reason - just called. Maybe I've got hope. Called from across the street - said had been waiting, thinking I might come out. Wish I could have. "Gen" at bank this morn. Is leaving for N.C. Tues. Gave me wedding picture. Very good. So sweet. Hope Duane is thinking of me a little.

Fri Feb 16, 1945

Got blue dress from Gushard's (?? Could not read her writing ??) & had another one laid back at Hecht's. Really cute. Sure a "light" day at bank. Met June at noon. Swell to talk to her again. Today not quite as bad but oh! - tonight has been awful!! Folks gone. Washed some things & listened to radio.

Thurs Feb 15, 1945

Today has been terrible. Could hardly keep tears back. These days & nights are going to be bad but can do anything to gain Duane's love & make him want me for always. Had date tonight. Went out to his home. Just girls & baby there. Held baby for long time. Duane was so sweet & attentive. Almost like old times. Came home. Both went to sleep on davenport - not long though. One thing in particular is going to be different. Duane wanted it to happen ~~~ & so did I but I couldn't touch him that much if I wanted to - and I don't want to. Not exactly "trust" - I touch him even after everything. But I think that's partly what's been wrong.

Wed Feb 14, 1945

Stayed all night at Mother's. Off work at noon to go to Dale & Edythe's wedding. At U.B. Church at Argenta. Was very beautiful! Was formal & Edythe's dress beautiful! Duane "best man". Reception nice. Liked gift. Duane & I took them to station. Went to Chicago. Duane & I talked from 7:30 till 12:30. Knew something had been wrong. Said he loved me but wasn't sure of future. Will be hard to believe & trust him for a long time. Cried for long time. Want him to go with other girls & maybe will find out but won't do it. I love him so much & this is hard to take but I know I can make it. We're going to start all over and things are going to be different.

Tues Feb 13, 1945

What a day! Really busy. "Gen" home. Wonderful seeing her! Is home till she finds out where Jim is going to be. Met Mother at noon. Bought Damask luncheon cloth & napkins for Dale & Edythe. W.E. Duncans here a while. Duane suppose to call but didn't. (She later added:) - tonight either.

Mon Feb 12, 1945 - Lincoln's Birthday

Didn't work today. Washed blinds and cleaned room. Been wanting to do that for a long time. Went to town with Daddy to take Ruth & kids. "Mart" here in aft. & went to town with us. Heard that Ed M. had gotten an M.D. Sure hope so.

Sun Feb 11, 1945

Went to S. S. First time in ages. Just about like Spring out. Went to Champaign in aft. with Mrs. Kirby to take Lyn back. She has a real nice room. Duane & I saw "Cobra Woman". Pretty good. Golly, I'll never forget tonight. Don't think D. will either. Can't explain.

Sat Feb 10, 1945

Got off work at 2:30. Evelyn & I went uptown awhile. Saw "Dot" & Betty. Went to Victory & came home with Daddy. Wrote 6 page letter to Duane. Made fudge. Real good.

Fri Feb 9, 1945

Had two summer dresses laid away at Hecht's. Really cute. Duane to see me at lake this aft. First time I've seen him since Sun. Evelyn & I worked tonight. Duane met me. Saw "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo". Very good. Cried. Duane really liked it. Came home. Was about 1:00 when he left, but hadn't been together for so long.