The Princeton union., 1908-12-03

have spoken Of mans life that has
opened my eyes. Why, Jack, you've
been talking of boys games, the health
1ul 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 great achievement
that is worth while in itself? NV dear
boy, l have outgrown such things. I
nave done them in the past, and they
Denehted me as much as football, per-
maps little more. 1t remains for me
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 resourcefulness
and courage that they taught me. will
begin tomorrow tonight, for there
are three good hours before 12.''
"But-but aren't you going to take
Graham's offer?''
II 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 can't afford to look
on at it. l can't afford to be locker
on right here and now, for there is war
all around us, and stand armed in the
thick of it. I have dropped my pen
and taken up the sword while you and
have sat here at this table,"
What do you mean?"
II 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 and
sees battles and fights them If the
chance comes for no other worthy pur-
pose than to learn how to fight for her.
And I haven't done it. I have been
looking on and jotting down notes that
1 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 me
the grace to see it. Good night. Give
my respectful thanks to Mr.. Graham.
You will see me again when I have cut
my way out Of the heart of this bat
tle."
On the third day following this inter-
view at the time Of sunset Kendall
knocked at the Camerons' door and
was admitted. He was haggard and
pale, but his eyes revealed an mex
haustible energy of spirit. He crossed
the room quickly to where Edith sat
by the western window and kissed her
hand with 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?''
Eyes," said he; "a love story about
the prettiest girl that ever lived and
the stupidest man that ever died-and
didn't know it till one day he walked
up and saw that he was dead and came
to life again. The occasion of this mir
acle was a conversation with an ex-
cellent friend who for the dead-alive
mans good suggested an expedition to
the wilds of Manchuria, where, 1 am
told, there is war in progress In
stantly the awakened Individual per-
ceived that there was fighting nearer
home in which he had an intimate con-
cern. 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 a 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
1t. Armed Herewith, he hewed his
way to the citadel of powerful ma
gician who sat by a barrel Of brigh.
gold, with which he worked his won
ders. This sword for a share Of that
gold! cried the invader, but the magi-
clan uttered cold 'Ha, ha!'
'Thrice and four times the man re-
turned to the attack, and each time the