Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-07
The Argus Daily Short Story
The Call-By Clarissa Mackie.
1911. by Associated Literary Press

Sylvia Moore was visiting at her un-
cle's Texas ranch when she read the
faring headlines announcing that Tim
othy Robeson's regiment had been Or
dered to Ell Paso to take part in the
maneuvers on the Mexican border
She stared at the newspaper until the
members of the family made no secret
of their alarm.
what is the matter, Sylvan de-
manded Annie Lake curiously. HAS
Timothy eloped with a pretty widow.
or is he the victim off,
''He might as we'll be dead and bur-
led" cried Sylvia tragically as she
tossed the paper across the table.
Hes gone to war"
WAR; they repeated. What warp
"Why, the war with Mexico. OF
course. Hasn't the president ordered
a large force to the borderT
Mr.. Lake picked up the newspaper
and read aloud the surprising intel
ligence that the war department had
ordered large body of men, arms and
supplies to Ell Paso to take part in
army maneuvers. He read that troops
were already on the way and that
within a few days at the latest tent
ed city would spring up beside the
southwestern border.
Last of all he announced that the
regiment of which Timothy Robson
was a lieutenant was on its way to
Texas.
ION the strength Of this report you
are positive that Tins going to be
killed." asked her uncle. with a quiz
zical smile at Sylvia.
"Yes." said Sylvia positively. "I had
the queerest feeling when i said good
by to him in New York. You know
he's always joking. and when he said.
BE sure to return in time to dane,
at your own wedding. Sylvia it cam,
over me that 1 might never come back;
that there might never be a wedding
at ALL But 1 never thought of Tim
being the one Tears came into Syl-
Was forgetmenot eyes. and her cousin
extended a sympathizing handkerchief.
"Pooh!" uttered Mr.. Lake contemp
tuously You make me extremely
weary, Sylvia. AS an American girl
thought you had more pride Of coun-
man is called to arms"
"a mans first duty cannot always
be to his country. Oh. know that's
reasonable or something horrible, but
l would not have thought so much
about 1t If we bad not gone over to
Ell Paso the other day and witnessed
all the fighting across the river in
Juarez-"
we didn't see very much. Just some
puffs of smoke and lots OF noise. 1t
wasn't nearly as bloody as antici-
pated," remarked Annie thoughtfully.
II saw enough. ! wouldn't go there
again for anything in the world" de-
clared Sylvia, rising from her chair
and dropping a good night kiss on her
aunts unconscious brow.
'aThen you won't ride into FL Paso
with me on Thursday and see the
troops arriveT' suggested Mr.. Lake,
returning TO his newspaper with an
Indifferent air. Want to go. Amir
"Of course do. dad. And you, syl-
via p she questioned her cousin
81 must go, tool" cried Sylvia eager
ly. why, might see Timothy
there"
You probably win, my dear, IL he
has arrived" And Mr.. Lake buried
himself in his newspaper, this time
oblivious to everything save the good
night kisses, to which he submitted
with genuine pleasure.
The next morning Sylvia and Annie
mounted their horses and rode to 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 over the place where was
the city of FL Paso.
Perhaps by tomorrow he viii be
there" said Sylvia aloud
Annie nodded her black curls. 1T
may be that be win arrive today she
suggested. with a CLEAN OF amuse-
ment In her dark eyes.
syivia's blue eyes turned to the east