The Washington herald., 1909-08-01

ed RAPIDLY home. His face was white, HIS
eyes red. He showed the marks OF the
struggle. for he trembled as he hurried
along. II had been very great fight. the
victory shifting to and fro. Time and
again he hurled himself in with all the
strength OF his soul. and recoiled. dazed,
bafned, salf conquered. 1t seemed at
times that the child must surely die or
the woman be crippled for life. The first
OF these he refused TO to;erate-he would
mol shut a soul out OF life; the last was
too terrible to think Of. for II the woman
were crippled the whole family would at
once sink as into quicksands and be
among the debris OF society. So he got.
as Il were. his second wind. and with
every nerve alive, his head clear, his
hands precise and quick he fought face
10 face with the enemy. He had 10 win
so he did win, He came out Of II as from
q swing from star 70 star down eternity,
as from a furnace. be he came victorious
~. Hence he trembled and was white
and feverish when Nell let him In.
"Oh!" she cried, in a wild fright. You
have been killing yourself,"
She helped him 10 his chair. and he
dropped into II heavily. She crowded
over him as a mother over sick child
quick, anxious, stricken.
"Shuhr' he said feebly. NO fuss, Nell.
I couldn't stand IL, Nc fuss. Listen" he
smiled family. Il won.''
And ne made her sit down IN the re-
volving chair while he told her the story
or the night As she listened she thrilled
through and through-the color rushed 70
her cheeks and as suddenly disappeared
eIa braotH.T 0fffcR1xr-eha hafI barea1F
taut and tense.
1t was war;" she cried at length, but
new kind-glorious! And you are a
great generaI-youre a great Nspoleonl
Oh, I'm proud OF you. Morrisi'
Yes" he smiled sadly, "and didn't
leave a hundred thousand dead on the
fitN~-I saved one childs life"
They sat in silence.
Now won't you take some cofree?" she
asked anxiously,
II suppose I WILL" he said very weakly.
trying 70 smile again: but he didn't smile:
he lay back limp.
She got him 70 bed then, and he drank
the coffee. feebly telling her all the time
how he hated "fusslng"
Then at last she put her arm under his
head.
80 the doctors not going 70 the coun-
try, she said. very sadly. with tears in
her eyes. "Oh. you needn't tell mel see
X all over YOU And I know just what
you are going 10 say
His smile was radiant one.
Nell" he said huskily, you're the
wife I want and need. Now listen. This
state OF things down here Is a great bat
tie, isn't II? A terrible battle-no battle
IN history-nO Gettysburg or Austerlltz as
awful, as fruited with death and man
Cling and slaughter-no battle ever fought
so horrible, Just because this Is an invis-
ible battle-hidden away-behind walls-ln
cellars-in garrets-ln factories! Isn't that
true2"
"Shuhl Don't get so excited" she
warned him. kissing him
But It's so, little wife-it IS so. And
I'm a trained soldier-Tm fitted 10 fight
1 know those people, understand all
and-they love me. they love met
we all love you" she cried fervently.
and a tear splashed on him.
"Oh. and 7 think. Nell. I think"-he
paused and then spoke IN e voice os awe
that maybe God Is In this. TOO Our
modern men OF God perhaps are the set
tlement workers. the magazine writer's
the doctors. And you see It's so effective
we don't preach TO them. We 60 and
do something; take God 10 them-glve
them revelation-by giving them a biz let
up-and let-up means an uplift-and back
Ing II with love. with service. with-with"
he smiled-'Tm afraid I'm getting
churchy--yes. with renunciation.-'
There was a silence. Nell was crying
softly.
Now Hsten," be continued. Here's
the battle-here am 7. the trained fighter;
I've been in II. know IL all, I'm needed
now shall I night or ny2''
She spoke tremulousiy through sobs.
And lam not a hghter?"
"Yes. Nell" he said fervently. 81
couldn't fight without you. You're the
general-you manage things-you do the
brain work. I'm OILY the fighter"
"Oh. you dear Ooy"' she cried. flngine
her arms about him. I'VE won't desert. %
That's it," he said at length. And as
for honeywell. I'll be stricter after this.
for charity's the worst thing on earth.
and only help when IL isn't charity. 7
VIII, and you'll manage the rest"
Morris she cried with sudden gayetv.
weren't we fools last night2 Selfish.
mean. despicable back-waterers7
and she kissed him soundly, and they
laughed softly