The Holly chieftain., 1899-09-01
Hex Hero

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"Our military and naval heroes are
getting 80 much admiration and sym.
pathy that there is none left for us
civilians: do you think there Is. Miss
Grnydon?" asked Henry Lee. with
shade Of anxiety In Ills tone.
''Well. perhaps II is true that ali the
world loves. not only lover but 4
hero. aud surely. after men have been
brave enough to take their liyes In
their hands IN defense Of their country
and us. sympathy and admiration are
the least we can give them. Doesn't
your heart glow with pride at the sight
Of your brother In Ills uniform?''
Eyes, I am proud Of Fred" he an
swcred slowly. But. really. Miss
Gnydon. are you In earnest! Couldn't
you love one who had never especial
ly distinguished himself? Couldn't you
Ike ut all fond Of an ordinary. common.
place man? Couldn't you. dear. care In
the least for meT'
"Oh. Mr.. Lee. am so sorry you have
asked me. But am sure 1t Will be
best to tell you the truth. respect
and like you thoroughly. perhaps more
than any one know. but since my IA
ther died SO brnvely 1 have always
felt that only n genuine hero could sat-
isfy me. In short. my husband must be
one whose courage will call forth all
my admiration. Sometimes feel that
when find q man as good and brave
as my ideal must be Ill be almost en-
thusiastic enough to greet him as some
patriotic young women do certain
young naval lieutenant. with n kiss"
At this point the conversation was In
terrupted by the appearance Of Miss
Lee. Henry's aunt. Mary Graydon was
fond Of the gentle little lady. and N
this time she was especially welcome.
Henry took advantage Of her arrival
to steal away.
But no sooner had he disappeared
thnn Miss Lee exclaimed: "Oh. has
Henry gone? I'm 30 sorry" Then abe
added with a lnugh. II suppose that Is
selfish Of me. too for he NO seldom
takes holiday. and eau see him any
time"
"Yes. he does seem closely confined
to his work." said Miss Graydon. a
tribe coldly. Are you enjoying the
picnic. Miss Lee?'
But the little lady was not SO easily
turned from her favorite topic Of con
versatiOn. Yes. thank you much. And
was 30 glad Henry could come. II
ever there was hero. It is he"
! Mary Graydon gave a start Could
Miss Lee have been cavesdroppinE?
But. no; II was impossible to suspect
her Of anything 80 base.
The gentle voice went on: Some
times 1t makes me Jealous for him
when hear people talking Of Frcd's
courage. 1t seems no small In CON-
parison with what Henry has done for
him. Perhaps weary you. though"
"Oh. no; please go on" said Mary
Graydon. Could It be possible she had
failed to recognize hero?
well. 1t is not much to tell-not half
30 much as 1t was to live. From child
Henry has been fond of books. He nl-
ways read and studied and planned
and saved toward an education. MY
brother. Henry's father. said that he
would send one OF his boys through
college. but the other must help him In
the mill. We ail thought tint as Hen.
~ was the Oldest he should have the
first chance. So lie entered the pre-
raratory school. He was doing well.
too. but at the close of the first year,
when he was home on his summer va
cation. he discovered how much Fred
disliked the mill ard how he wished
for his chance. So what did Henry do
but offer to change with him. Fred
did have the grace to refuse to take It
at drst-I'll say that for him. But
Henry insisted until he made him
think that he really would ra tier work
In that mill than to realize his hearts
desire. though II was a fortunate
thing for brother John. for Henry has
been more helpful tliun ever Fred
could be.
so Fred went to college. It's my
private opinion that Henry's savings
went with him too. He took the four
years course. then went through the
medical school. and last year wns np.
pointed surgeon to the Tenth regiment
! suppose he was never In any real
danger during the whole war. but he
wears q uniform. so every one la ex-
claiming over him as one OF our brave
boys In blue. while poor Henry. who
was MS patriotic Ms a man could be.
was tied fast here at home. But there
comes Mrs. Stockton. l must go ask
her about her sister," and Miss Lee