Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-28
Copyright. 1904, by Ruby Douglas.)

II think it is all very silly said MarSa-
ret, with true feminine finalty.
Rob sat with his hands clasped about his
knees his gaze fixed on the blue-white line
OF mountain peaks kissing the clear, blue
sky. 1t was southern California at its BEST
but neither Margaret nor Rob was think
ing of the scenery or the weather.
I'm afraid you don't quite understand
he answered quietly. 1T isn't my fault
that my blood leaps at the sound of drum.
When you think that my grandfather. my
father and two of my uncles fought in the
civil war-and that each one of them had
something on lis shoulder to show for it
when he came home-you can't blame me
for loving the smell of powder
He waited for an answer, but none came.
Neither you nor any one else had any
idea of what ii cost me to stay at home
during the Spanish war. Did you know l
could have had a captaincy under Roose-
welt? God. but it was hard-only the mater
made 1t harder, She hung to me so-and
l was all she had. She couldn't live through
1t. she said, and so-I-stayed at home.
But now that she's gone, and
There's one else to hold you back,
you are going!'
Hurt pride was the dominant note in the
hand and held it very tight
Don't say that again, Margaret for you
know better. If you said stay l should
stay-hecause-becIuse love you better
than love myself. But you are not going
TO ask me to stay. Margaret, can't you
understand? i must have my fling"
You have had your fling. Ever since
you joined the National Guard at home you
nave broken engagements with me for
drill. I've let you go to those horrid, cheap
hops and promenades, just because YOU
were an officer and thought you owed it to
your men. It's been the one interest we've
litia.'
1T might be worse. Peggy" he said gen
tly. his voice lingering with caress on the
nickname He did not tell her how often
ne wished that he might share his en-
thusiasm and work for 1.-THE BOYS" I'm
ho saint, grille, but l think drilling awk-
ward squads is a safer amusement than
some stunts the boys in our own set do
And now that To-Hari is going
That's the absurdty of the whole thing
Rob. You're catching the fire of enthu-
siasm from Japanese boy"
'To-Hari'S not a boy, dear" said Rob
with logged earnestness. You forget that
he graduated in my class. and though he
looks small from your exalted height of
i've feet ten. he is giving up a splendid
business in New York for his country"
For his country-not for ours" persist
ed Margaret, two crimson spots showing
In her cheeks. Even If you were going as
d sOluleT Oh enllStlng IN the Japa-
nese army, it might be different, but to
take chances as correspondent. to use
your political, social and financial influence
TO get to the front-merely to be in the
thick of Ito smell powder! When the
japanese government politely declines the
service of Americans-when it announces it.
self able to fight its own fight-just for
the sake of being within range of guns, to
scent the battle from afar-you VIII leave
me"
Margaret" interrupted Rob suddenly, as
he paced the gravel walk in front of her.
Just stop to think, Ever since fathers
death I've been virtually the head of the
family. I've stuck close to the Office, the
banks and the corporations in which our
family was interested. and all the time
there has been ringing in my ear that call
to be up and away-a primitive call, If you
will but it has throbbed through my brain
until il has seemed some days as if l
should go mad for free life and for ac-
ton. For the week before / left New York
l worked night and day to get things in
shape so l could 60 to leave everything so
that the girls would not have to think for
themselves before l returned"
Then you had fully decided to go-be-
fore you saw me. You never even wrote
me about IT."
Il thought I could talk it over with you
better than l could write and explain"