The progress., 1904-10-01
For the Sake
of the.,Fl.a9.
By MARY G. HE7NoN


tSopyAAe"UASV-tSJ ~ ~~'y SsS's . ~~'~
r HE smattering of-fire crackers, tn,
boom of small cannon, and thu
snouts Of the boys awoke the young
teacher from her early morning slum
ber.
II was still dark, and the moon, near it
setting, cast wan spectral-1ike ligh
through the open west window. of thu
room. Its whiterays fell on the folds o.
beautiful silk flag which&hung across
the" back of an invalid's chairrevealint
in the uncertain flickering Light thatfel
through the leaves of the clustering ivy
dark field set with stars, and billowy
folds Of stripes-crimson and white
the work of the patriotic teachers MIN
BILE fingers.
She sat up in her white cot andssmiled
as the recollection of the past days
arduous toll. and the joyful realizationot
its completion dawned upon her con-
sciousness. a
ARNOLD will carry it at the head OF
the procession tomorrow. Dear flag, =
sMmurmured as she stretched out her
armsoward the beautifuk ensign, your
colors s,'bolize the characteristics of
our young lon. True as the azure of the
sky overhead, teadfast as star, and
warm as the crirsen tide which feeds
/. the patriots heart. To-day, dear flag.
he whom | cherish WITHIN undying at
fection, will bear thee att, because in
MI the village there is none worthy as
he"
She. lay there thinking, linking
weaving beautiful fabric o.dreams
such as love and youth alone ca DIRE am,
while the late moon droppe. DOM be-
hfndethe rim Of the westrn horizon, aud
the darkness which pecedes the dawi
I filed the room. $
Day, rosy and blight, marched tri-
umphantly through the gates of the east.
The noises in tbe street grew more tumu-
tuous. The boifires died out on the sur
rounding .hilltops, and from the upper
windows of stores and factories, long
streamers of Gay bunting tiuttered in the
morning breeze.
In large, white cottage whose spac-
tous verandawas covered with ivy, and
over whose front door hung torn and
soiled flag, that had passed through the
battle storms of the rebellion, sat two
contented people chatting over the COM
ming attractions of the day.
And they've chosen you for the
standard bearer, Arnold" the stately,
sweet-faced matron was saying as her
eyes rested on the eager face of the
young man who sat at the opposite end
of the table. "This, | understand is to
be no military parade. Everybody is to
march, or didn't you say SO, Arnold?"
'Yes, mother That is" He hesi-
tated and look of sadness dimmed the
glad light in his handsome eyes. Then
he added, slowly: Everybody who can
march, of course Poor Nell! She'll
find this day rather lonely and dull, I'm
afraid"
w"Dinah has fixed up couch for her on
the front porch of their house where she
enn see the procession. Their house is
:Sst opposite the park. She can hear the
rSsic, and almost every word from the
Speakers stand"
The conversation was interrupted by
. rap at the door, and little girl, dressed
10 fresh pink dress, handed Mrs.
West large parcel. 'The flag, mother!"
exclaimed Arnold: enthusiastically, fas
his mother removed the wrapping pa
per. What beauty! It's present to |
our company, you know, only to-day it's \
to head the procession and float from the
top Of the nag pole over the speakers |
stand in the park. Just see-how beauti- |
fully it is made! Poor little Nell, she !
must have grown weary over the task!"J
1T is a work of love-" said Mrs. West, |
gently. Love never wearies of its
tasks"
IF that scoundrel of a brother of hers
hadn't been. Nell would have been as
streng and healthy as any girl in town.
He frightened her horse. you knog, over
1t Dexter. where she was teaching three
years ago. She was just getting up in
her carriage, when the animal took
fright, and her dress caught some way in
he wheel. Oh. can't bear to think of
he rest! Will never cared, though"
And it is true that he has Joined the
lrmy?"
That's what people say. He never
writes home. Come to think of it, the
story finally leaked out that he stole sew
sral hundred dollars of Nells hard
armed money, when he skipped. She had
'aved it for the purpose of paying off the
mortgage on the home think that all
most broke her heart. She never said a
word to me about 1t. though"
And the mortgage?"
Was paid"
Yes, l did It,"
And Nell never knew?
Il never told her,
They say that old Dinah will soon be
90 old to care for the home any longer.
When she goes who will care for Nell''
Il will, mother
AS your wife, Arnold? That can
carcely be. She will be a helpless Grip
lie for life
The more will sheneed the support of
~ strong arms. Yes, mother, as my !
rffe." 4
: And you are to resign your position {
b the srmy?"
The young man was silent. A brilliant I
nture seemed to open before him. Love {
nd duty had struggled long and hard '
ith ambition. but love won. He was {
ow ready to tear of his military Twp /