The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-03
THE EVENING STORY
The Patriotism of Peter.


(By Temple Bailey.)
| "Oh, my goodness" said Annette, u
thought you had more patriotism
| Peter
Peter stretched his languid length
in the great wicker chair on the other
side of the tea table from which An
nette dispensed afternoon hospitality
in her rose garden.
measure patriotism? Because I won't
march in a parade with a lot of buff
and blue idiots. you choose to say that
do not love my country"
ARNOLD Adams is not an idiot, An
nette interrupted.
Peters eyes narrowed. "Then Arnold
Adams parades, does he? And makes
a speech? To the accompaniment OF
appropriate fireworks?"
"He makes his speech in the after
noon" Annette vouchsafed. Every one
seems eager to help me out with my
Fourth of July garden party but you.
Dear girl, I'll come and pass cake
and listen to the Declaration-bu
can't parade in costume"
''WeI, the men all look lovely in
their new uniforms Annette inform
Somehow" said Peter. "a uniform
is associated in my mind with service
There are the old regimentals Of my
mud, and the faded blue cape that my
father keeps in memory of Gettysburg
is bIotched with red" He shrugged
his shoulders. "But it's too hot this
weather to dress UP for nothing
"Nothing-oh,'' Annette flung out
her hands. at don't believe you'd fight
if there was a war. Peter"
Peter leaned across the table. Con
sidering my ancestry" he said slowly,
"is there any reason you should think
that?"
Modern men haven't any back
bone" she tainted.
Don't go too far" he told her, my
idea of love of country Is something
deeper than mere shouting for free
Love of country is courage" she
"You n" he demanded
'"That I'm disappointed in you,
Peter" Her eyes biazed. 81 believe
you're too lazy to carry a gun"
"Stop," he Numbered, and stood up.
Annette stood up, too. She slipped
from her finger wonderful hoop OF
diamonds.
loved me you would see my point of
view. It isn't that want you to wear
blue and buff; want you to show your
patriotism
the ring. eff you ever want this again
you must ask for it. Annette. I am
afraid that otherwise I can never for
give the woman who has called me
coward"
1T shall never ask for it," she blazed,
as Peter turned on his heel and left
her.
When the great day came Annette
tried to interest herself in the decora-
tions, the refreshments, in Arnold
Adams, who, looking very handsome
in his colonial uniform, hung over her;
and when he made his speech his eyes
were on her.
Annette didn't like his speech. It
smacked of artificiality. There was in
il so much of stars and stripes and
the glory Of country, but no depth of
earnestness. no deep appeal to the
When he had finished he came down
expecting Annette's praise. But she
didn't give it. Cant we get away
said. I'm so tired of the crowd"
It'll take you UP the road in my
car" Adams proposed.
So it came about that fifteen min |
utes later, Peter Van Horn, sitting on
the hillside, saw far down the curved |
road a big red car and within 1t a |
splendid gentleman in blue and buff |
and lady in rose-wreathed hat.
He saw something else, too. Just be- |
low him a little dirty, curly-headed |
child from the italian settlement near |
by was digging contentedly in the dust, |
right in the path Of the car that was !
coming around the curve.
1t took. only moment for Peter to
plunge shouting down the bank, to
catch up the baby and cross the road. |
He was safe, but the two in the car
had Whitened at his danger. Annette |
was crouched in heap as Adams
brought the big machine to a stop.
ooh, I thought you would be killed |
Peter with the screaming child in
his arms, smiled at her. at was moth
Ing he said
IT should have thought you would
have been afraid" Annette began.
Peter stiffened. 'fYou seem to think
that am always afraid he said, and
before she could answer he lifted his
hat and was gone.
All that evening she watched for |
her lover. But he did not come. At last
she could stand it no longer. She sat
down at the lemonade table and talked
It over with her most intimate girl
Lucy she said, "I've been hateful
% Peter. What shall do?''
Eat humble pie advised Lucy.
Peters worth it.
ct know" Annette admitted, but
ion't know where he is
wait till he shows up, said Lucy,
and in the meantime we'l1 make Ar
lold Adams take us down the river
Dad in his car
The river road led along the same
way that they had followed in the af-
They passed the big canneries where
many italians were employed, passed,
90 the sQuaIid little settlement where,
n a big open space, a crowd of
warthy men and women and children
we're gathered about big man in
White flannels-
Annette caught her breath. "why. Il