Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-02-06
Ole Patriotism
Of Penelope.
by VIRGINIA BLAIR.
BY VIRGINIA BLAER.
Copyrighted. 1909, by Associated
Literary Press.

vote ought To be made to vote said
Penelope dramatically.
"0f course II you feel that way"
Oswald Deering said stifiiy.
''Every woman should feel that
way"-Penelope's scornful little nose
was IN the nir-"and every man. The
welfare of the country depends on It,"
I'm not SO sure"-Decring was fast
becoming aggressive-"that woman
knows
And then Penelope blazed. "0f
ourse"-becoming aggressive-"that
woman ought not to dabble In such
things. But the blood Of my ancestors
Is In me- All of my grandfathers were
In the Revolution and In the war of
1872. My father served with honor IN
the civil war and my brothers In the
Spanish war. How can help feeling
that the men who wouldn't fight
we're She stopped.
Oswald was very pale. II know
what you were going to say-that be-
cause didn't fight was coward"
Something In the stiffness Of his an
ger frightened Penelope
Il didn't mean she fatered
Eyes. you did" he told her You
meant that | was coward because ]
didn't go to the war when your broth
ers did. But there were reasons"
"There are always reasons" she
flashed out. You may now say there
are reasons why you are not going to
vote tomorrow"
"Well. / don't think you could under
stand II told you. Penelope"
She stood up and faced him. oh"
she said, and her little figure In the
clinging mauve gown was drawn up TO
Its full height-"oh, always thought
that you put women on low plane.
Oswald, and now know It,"
ut isn't that" he said doggedly,
"but think ought not to he made TO
explain my reason for not voting II
involves some one else. ! shall stay
away from the polls tomorrow as n
matter of conscience. Penelope"
Her little nose was buried in the
bunch Of violets he had brought her.
II don't think 1t Is worth arguing
about" she said at last YEARLY as she
lifted her head from the flowers. But
I really think we couldn't be happy II
we feel so differently"
"You mean He had risen and
was standing beside her.
II mean that-that think we have
made mistake"
Then you won't marry me, penei-
ope|
IL have never said that would, 0s-
wald."
mo, but you gave me hope. You
knew that thought
Before his accusing eyes her own
dropped.
But never really said Yes" she
whispered.
perhaps not But understood
that 1t was because YOU wanted to be
sure" His voice broke. and then all
at once he gathered himself together
and, with his head held high, said
sternly, Don't talk OF mans allie
glance to his country, Penelope, when
you have failed in your allegiance to
your love-"
~ don't love you." she began, but he
interrupted her. You do. You know
you love me. Penelope. But deep
down In your heart you don't trust
me. And / don't want that kind OF
love. / want the love OF woman
who believes In me-"
She was staring at him In dazed
way. 'Then-then-g oodby." she quiv
cred.
He came over and took both Of her
hands In his "Oh. little Penelope"
he said, 'why can't you trust me?"
Her lips quivered. why can't you
tell me-" she demanded tearfully.
"why you won't vote, Oswald!"
He hesitated and then shook his
head. mo; it's matter best left I'M
discussed. Perhaps some day you'll
see things differently"
Her chin was raised mutinously. II
shall always love my country. 0s-
wald."
And / shall always love you" And
with that he was gone.
Left alone. she wondered II II was
true. Surely In little while Oswald
would be back begging her to forgive
him.
But the next day came, and the men
gathered at the polls. and Penelope's
father and his sons went out to vote
rs the men of their family had done
before them for conscience and for
country. and at dinner they toasted
their favorlte candidate In water from
their own clear spring. and their IA
Their made little speech. I'VE have
all been lighters" he said. "and hope
i shall never have a son or a grandson
TO break our record"
And Penelope, thinking OF Oswald.
WINGED. What place had he among
these men of war?
But when the feasting was over her
youngest brother, Bruce. said, I've al
ways felt that there was no force like
the force of arms. but l tell you l
heard something about Oswald Deer
Ing today that made me believe In