The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-02-07

Juan anu SuHtIuSO anu the QeStfuc'
ton of Cervera's feet, together with
the surrender Of General Toral ard
the departure of the fourth division
of regulars from San Francisco to
Manila became history. Then followed
the overtures Of Spain for peace and
the statement by the president of
terms by which peace could be secur-
ed. With the beginning of August II
seemed as If the brief war were almost
ended. And yet out there across the
Pacific the war cloud grew larger and
the situation more serious. President
Royce's words were prophetic when
he returned in August, and in talking
with Edward as they resumed their
work in the library study he said:
There will be n long struggle in those
islands, and it will take very wise
man to predict all the results We
have problems formed by this brief
war with Spain that will require O
good many years to solve. The best
craftsmanship and the best citizenship
and the best missionary service will be
demanded Of the United States in the
next quarter Of century If we would
make the history we ought to make
as Christian nation"
These events and experiences made O
memorable summer for Edward Blake.
There was one week in July when he
was sorely perplexed as to his exact
duty to his old roommate. After o
silence of several days regarding vii.
lis condition Mrs. Preston wrote that
he was very low. The next word that
came was merely line saying that he
had passed the crisis Of his illness and
would recover. Edward would have
left Raynor Mt that time II his going
20 the camp would have been any help.
But Mrs. Preston strongly dissuaded
him from coming, knowing the great
expense, and so Edward remained the
whole summer in Raynor, as he had
planned to do. Late in August Willis
himself wrote a brief note, saying he
had made up his mind to go with the
Itate regiment to the Philippines. Mrs.
Preston In the same mail also wrote
letter, in which she spoke Of Willis
determination not to go back to college
until he had actually done some fight
ing.
His illness has not tanned his spirit in the least
she wrote. He is as careless and Indifferent to all
things serious as he always was The surgeon to-
day pronounced him to be in a splendid condition
for full recovery. II only could look forward to
his re-enlistment with any hope that the army
discipline would make OF himl But what
hope can ! have when / read that every wholesale
liquor house in the United States is preparing to
ship liquor by the train and steamship load to
Manila as the treaty is ratified and the is
lands ours? do not fear all the dangers and
horrors of actual war for Willis thousandth part
as much as l fear the drink for him. Pray for us
again. Willis says that he has written that he
expects 10 be able to be in Raynor and out at
the college in September, when the term opens.
He says he is going to try to get you to go with
him. AS much as | might wish to have you with
him ! cannot beg it OF you, knowing that the
army life at its best is demorazing to all the
best impulses. Better far finish your college
course and then go out into the world to fight the
real enemies OF the republic in the shape of greed
and sefshness and this liquor traffic, which has
both at the bottom Of it. That is my prayer for
you LUCILLE Preston.
Edward read this letter like the first
he had received from Willis mother,
and he was moved by it almost as
deeply. He had anticipated Willis
coming with more or less anxiety on
account of Freeda, although she had
never shown by word or letter that
she had any special interest in him.
September had come on, and the fall
term had opened and college was fair.
ly under way again when Willis re-
turned. Edward went down to the
station to meet him, and quite crowd
was present there.
AS they walked up the hill together
Edward was surprised to note how
well Willis looked. His enforced i'll.
ness had apparently left no mark Of
weakness OIL him, and his bearing was
even more jaunty and careless than
ever. There was an additional mark |
OF a soldierly bearing also, and, rs he
wore his uniform. Edward soon began
to realize that Willis was q good deal !
of hero to the students and especial
ly to the girls. who clapped vigorously |
the first time Willis came into chapel
shoulder straps arc more popular |
than wings nowadays" said Willis |
with careless laugh. "Tel you. old |
man, you need to enlist In order to get |
popular There's nothing like It, You
don't have to be. good looking nor
know very much. Just put on a uni |
form, and that will do all the rest"
Edward had difficulty in pcturing
Willis as his mother had described |
him. He wondered IL he had given
up the drink and ventured to question
him about 1t that evening. Willis was
getting ready to go out to little ban.
quet that his old society had arranged
In his honor.
"Are the boys going to serve wine
at the banquet tonight| asked Ed.
ward as Willis was arranging his
toilet.
II suppose so. Champagne and lit
tie beer perhaps"
Edward was silent a moment. Then
he went over to Willis side Of the
room. willis had put on his coat and
bad made step toward the door
Promise me you won't drink any
tonight, will youY asked Edward, and
as he spoke he had In mind Mrs. Pres
toms letter, written at the bedside OF
her son in that southern camp.
Willis paused. and look Of embar.'