The Marshall republican., 1911-06-23
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.


Sylvia Moore was visiting at her un.
cle's Texas ranch when she read the
6aring headlines announcing that Tim.
othy Robeson's regiment had been or.
dered 20 III Paso 10 take part In the
maneuvers on the Mexican border.
She stared Mt the newspaper until the
members of the family mnde no secret
OF their alarm.
What Is the matter, SylviaT' a..
handed Annie Lake curiously. "uas
Timothy eloped with n pretty widow.
or Is he the victim off,
"He might rs we'll be dead and bur.
led" cried Sylvia tragically as she
tossed the paper across the table.
Hes gone 20 war"
WAR" they repeated. what warp
"why. the "a with Mexico. of
course. Hasn't the president ordered
n large force TO the borderf'
Mr.. Lake picked NJ the newspaper
and read aloud the surprising intel.
ligence that the war department had
ordered a large body Of men. arms and
supplies TO FL Paso 10 take part In
army He rend that troops
were already on the way and that
within n few days at the latest a tent.
cd city would spring up beside the
southwestern border.
Last OF all he announced thnt the
regiment OF which Timothy Robeson
was n lieutenant was on Its way 10
Texas.
ION the strength OF this report you
are positive that Tins going TO be
killed." asked her uncle. with n quiz.
zlcnl smile nc Sylvia.
YES" said Sylvia positively. II had
the qucerest feeling when ! said good.
by to him In New York. You know
he's always Joking. aud when he said.
BE sure TO return In time 20 dance
Mt your W wedding. sylvia IL came
over me that I might never come back:
That there might Fever be- "A wedding
ut all. But ! never thought of Tim
being the one Tears came into syl.
Was forpetmenot eyes. and her cousin
extended II sy~mpnthlzing handkerchief.
"poOh." uttered Mr.. Lake contemp.
tuuns,y. You make me extremely
weary. Sylvia. As nn American girl
! thought you had more pride Of coun.
try than Ia weep because your young
man IN called To arms"
"a mans FIRST duty cannot always
be Ia his country. oh. I know that's
reasonable ar something horrible. but
| would not have thought so much
about II " We had not gone over to
FL Paso the other day aud witnessed
all the lighting across the river In
Juarez."
we didn't see very much. Just some
puns of smoke aud lots OF noise. II
wasn't nearly us bloody rs | antici.
pated." remarked Annie thoughtfully.
Il saw enough. I wouldn't 20 there
again for anything In the world" de-
clared Sylvia. rising from her chair
and dropping a good night kiss on her
aunt's unconscious brow.
Then you won't ride into FL Paso
with me on Thursday and see the
troops arrive;" suggested Mr.. Lake.
returning TO his newspaper with an
Indifferent air. Want TO go. Amir
"0f course do, dad. And you. Syl.
TIA" she questioned her cousin.
Il must 20, too" cried Sylvia eager.
ly. why. might see Timothy
there"
You probably Will. my dear. II he
has arrived" And Mr.. Lake buried
himself In his newspaper. this time
oblivious TO everything ave the good
night kisses. TO which he submitted
with genuine pleasure.
The next morning Sylvia and Annie
mounted their horses aud rode 10 the
farthest boundaries OF the ranch.
From here. on the highest ridge. they
paused aud looked under shading
hands toward the southwest. where a
cloud hung owe the place where was
the city of III paso.
Perhaps by tomorrow he will he
there" said Sylvia aloud.
Annie nodded her black curls. lit
may be that he will arrive today" she
suggested, with n CLEAN of amuse.
ment In her dark eyes.
Sylvia's blue eyes turned TO the east
ern horizon, where against the pale
gray blue OF the sky there blurred a
dark plume Of smoke. Perhaps that
Is his train now, Ann" She pointed
with her whip ut the smoke.
lit may be. honey. think you're
the luckiest girl In the world. Sylvia
Moore. Tins such a fine fellow. /
wonder Annie stopped abruptly
and fell to musing. with her black
eyes fixed on the rolling alfalfa thar
rippled before her.
What do you wondery' asked Syl-
via ~eurioasly. withdra wing from her
own reverie.
Il was wondering n yoa really meant |
what you said about asking Tim TO
stay away from a battle n there Is 20
be one" said Annie. her eyes now
gravely dsed on her cousin.
"a man owes some duty to the girl
he loves. and there ara nlentv M man |