Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-11

lures the walls of home gradually changed until
they showed little besides charging troops and tho smoke
Of battle Naturally, all this weighed fearully on my
spirits. realized that here crisis that must he
met. The integrity of our home was threatened de-
ternined to rise TO Clarssa conception of my duty al
patriot and descendant Once resolved Oh
my course. fastened 10 impart TIE glad dngs to my
wife.
Clarissa." said, with conscious pride your anbi-
ton is about to be achieved Within three days shall
be soldier"
With cry Of rapture Carissa threw herself into n.y.
arms "Oh my dear!" she quavcred ccstaticaly al
,iust tell Mrs Tasglcty But" after moments
pause, how you accomplish YOUR noble pir;tse?.
Il shall enlist" explained
Rut-but you will be private. Oh Arthur. what
disgrace to your august ancestors, common soldicr!"
I suppose can rise I said. rnoodly
WHAT Rise from the ranks?" Carissa questioned
"Oh, no, you couldn't DO that
| became indignant Evidently my sef-sacrihc. was
not accomplishing the happcst results Moreover did
not like Clarissas dogmatic assertion that it would be
impossible Tor to rise from tic ranks
"Why not?" demanded
Clarssa explicit: "Why, you see nobody ,ve
rises from the ranks, in all I've read unless he distn.
guishes himself by action OF wonderful Vs.or-a
sort OF Victoria Cross thing, you know"
And why shouldn't do something Victoria-Cross-
like I want to know guess I'm brave ecough You
forget the blood thet flows in my veins"
But you would have to fight il is impossible"
my wife replied, ,nperturbaby.
"Of course I'd have to hght--sodiers do"
Oh, but you mustn't Arthur, dearest"
Eh?" questioned, blankly.
No, darling, never Why, you might get hurt T"
Clarssas eyes wide with dismay
But Clarssa," argued Il can't be soldier unless
fight"
ooh, yes. you can Just join the militia"
The militia gets called out sometimes persisted,
land goes to war, too
Pooh! If anything happens you can resign"
Don't you know that to resign such time is i'm
possible to man of honor"
would you rather be hurt in horrid battle,"
eyes, certainly" affirmed
Then you mustn't enlist" Clarssa decided I'm
not going to have any risk OF getting all unused
up by one of those nasty ratters'
Ratters?" repeated, in bewildermcnt
"Well' said Clarissa with great lucdiy "it hat
something to do with terriers micc-hats tn,
way remember it
"Mauscrs!" cried
"Mousers ratters or terriers really do not Sc.
that matters Clarissa replied, pettishly!
Not at ALL" agreed. But l shan't enlist"
Certainly not" Clarssa said dsdanfully. 81 don,
see how you think Of anything so oohardy
and reckless and-cr-crimnal"
Thus the incident closed Afterward Carissa wa.
more gentle in her toward me. | appreciated
her chastened mood, and learned sing the Tive
Grenadiers.' though haven't the voice for it, so nv
friends said Still, could that Clarssa was no,
content, despite her efforts conceal her longngs
from
During the months of my affection, had been very
busy with political work, campaigning for my friend
Norton. who after holding many Offices OF Importance
now sought election as chief executive OF the State
hard fight ended in his victory and when the struggle
was over, he and took vacation trip together Natur-
ally, revealed all my troubles to him, and in the
simplest manner he relieved the situation
cut short my absence that might hasten to nfor,a
Clarissa of the beautiful truth
"Carissa." began. as soon as had kissed her, Il
worthy scion o: my I! too, Clarssa-I an, a
warr;orl'
Oh Arthur, you haven't gore and enlisted" And
thought she grew little pale.
NO. dearest. nc; i. is perfectly safe"
But what can i, be- then? Oh is it true? How can
it be truc'" Her eyes like stars now, and her
voice charged witt, Joy,
81 soldier" said, soIenny; "a wsrror-nore
I am officer, colonel"
How wonderful" Carissa brea:hed, reveten:ly
"Oh, won't you look jus, splendid in your"
a! lave already been measured FOR my uniform"
announced IT is magnificent. Gold lace"
Gold lace
and epauIets-"
"Epaulets."
and sword"
" A swordl"
and boots"
"Boots!"
"-and--er-thnss Magnificent!
"Oh. it's just too heavenly" Clarssa sighed. But
tell me, Arthur dearest how did you do it,"
Norton has appointed colonel on his staff -
There ,ap.urous pause Then Clarssa
claimed
"a sta(f-oficer only think OF Il"
Uncle Jimmy indeed
Clarssa became thoughtful for moment. When she
spoke, her words heavy with Importance
"We must plan to go abroad You will wish at
tend the military manruvres Of Europe"
The servant announced Ms. Taggley. AS thai obi
Gus person entered Classa turned to her with rev
majesty of bearing and said in voice thrilled with
emotion:
"Aly husband the COLONEL. has returned