The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-01-25

have spoken of a mans life that has
opened my eyes. Why, Jack, you've
been talking of boys games, the health
full amusements and exercises of youth.
which fit us for the serious business of
the world. Do you really fancy that
following an army and living on horse
meat and sleeping in six inches of dirty
water in the bottom of an abandoned
trench constitute a great achievement
that is worth while in itself? My dear
boy. l have Outgr0wn such things. |
have done them in the past, and they
benefited NE as much as football. per
Laps little more. 1t remains for ne
now that you have brought these early
lessons back to my remembrance-to
take the good of them and profit by the
patience, strength and resourcefulncss
and courage that they taught me. I viii
begin tomOrroW-nO, tonight, for there
are three good hours before u"
"But-but aren't you going to take
Grahams olTcrf'
4 can't consider it. The war in the
east is no doubt an important matter
for those who are engaged in it, but not
for me. Certainly I can't afford to look
on at it. l can't afford to be a locker
on right here and now. for there is war
all around us, and I stand armed in the
thick Of it. l have dropped my pen
and taken up the sword while you and
have sat here at this table"
"W'hat DO you mean?'
y mean that the first duty of every
man is to the woman he loves; that all
the labors of his youth are merely prep
aration; that he endures hardships ard
sees battles and fights them il the
chance comes for no other worthy pur-
pose than to learn how to fight for her
And l haven't done it. l have been
looking on and jotting down notes that
l call stories. I'm through with it. To
be plain with you, Jack. there is one
high and holy task before me now. and
the Lord, through you, has given ne
the grace 10 see it. Good night Give
my respectful thanks to Mr.. Graham.
You will see me again when | have cut
my way out of the heart of this bat
tie"
On the third day following This inter
view at the time of sunset Kendall
knocked ut the CamcYons' door ana
was admitted. He was haggard ana
pale, but his eyes revealed an mex
haUstible energy Of spirit. lie crossed
the room quickly to where Edith sat
by the western window and kissed her
band with a fine Difference.
What has happened?' she asked.
looking up at him. Something has
come Of all the mystery of these last
few days, Is it a story?"
Yes" said he; "a love story about
the prettiest girl that ever lived ana
the stupdest man that ever died-and
didn't know it till one day he walked
w and saw that he was dead and came
to life again. The occasion of this mir
acle was a conversation with an CX-
cellent friend who for the dead-alive
mans good suggested an expedition to
the wilds of NanChuria. whore. | am
told, there is a war in progress. In
stantly the awakened Individual per
Cciyed that there was fighting nearer
home in which he had an intimate con
Germ. In the midst of the battle he saw
the prettiest girl aforesaid desperately
threatened and surrounded by foes.
Now, which battle was his, think you!
1T didn't take him long to decide,
and he began to look to his weapons.
In his right hand there was Il pen-a
good weapon in its way, but too slow
for this emergency. So he reached up
into the air and seized an idea which
had the form and potency of a sharp
sword. 1t had been within his reach
and dimly perceived for many months.
but he had been too sluggish to grasp
it, Armed herewith, he hewed his
way to the citadel of a powerful ma
gician who sat by a barrel of bright
gold, with which he worked his Won
ders. This sword for a share of that
gold" cried the invader, but the magl-
clan uttered a cold 'Ha, han
Thrice and four times the man re-
turned to the attack, and each time the