The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-13
Gbe
CALL
1t Occasions Q Struggle
Between Love
and Duty
BY CLARISSA MACKIE
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911

Sylvia Moore was visiting at her I'M
cle's Texas ranch when she read the
darlne headlines announcing that ny
othy Robeson's regiment had been or
dered TO Ell Paso to take part in the
maneuyers 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 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 war;"
why. the war with Mexico. Of
course. Hasn't the president ordered
large force to the borderT
MI 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 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. 81 had
the queerest feeling when l 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 dance
at your own wedding. Sylvia 1t came
over me that might never come back:
that there might never be a wedding
at all But never thought of Tim
being the one Tears came into Syl-
Was forgetmenot eyes, and her cousin
extended sympathizing handkerchief
"Poohl" uttered Mr.. Lake contemp-
tuouSly. You make me extremely
weary, Sylvia. AS an American girl
| thought you had more pride of coun-
try than to weep because your young
man is called to arms"
"A mans first duty cannot always
be to his country. Oh, know that's
reasonable or something horrible but
would not have thought so much
about 1t If we had not gone over to
Eel Paso the other day and witnessed
all the lighting 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 l antici'
pated," remarked Annie thoughtfully.
~ saw enough. l 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
aunt's unconscious brow.
'Then you won't ride into Ell Paso
with me on Thursday and see the
troops arrive?" suggested Mr.. Lake,
returning to his newspaper with an
"Of course do. dad. And you. Syl-
via?" she questioned her cousin.
II must go, tool" 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 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
cloud hung over the place where was
the city of Eel Paso.
Perhaps by tomorrow he will be
there" said Sylvia aloud.
Annie nodded her black curls. ut
may be that he will arrivet today" she
suggested. with CLEAN, of amuse-
ment In her dark eyes.
Sylvias blue eyes turnedsto the east
ern horizon. where against the pale
gray blue Oh the sky thereF blurred a
dark plume of smoke. Perhaps that
Is his train now. Ann" She pointed
with her whip at the smoke.
at may be. honey. think you're
the luckiest girl in the world. Sylvia
Moore. Tins such fine fellow.
wonder Annie stopped abruptly
and fell to muslng, with her black
eyes fixed on the rolling alfalfa that
rippled before her.
What do you wonderY asked Syi-
via curiously. Withdrawing from her
own reverie
81 was wondering II you really meant
what you said about asking Kim to
stay away from a battle If there%is to
be one" said Annie, her eyes tnow
gravely fixed on her cousin.
"A man owes some dutytto theigirl
he loves. and there are plenty ofHmen
who can fight for the country men
who have no friends or relatives or
have no ties to bind them How self
lsh | am, Annie. and yet somehow !
can only seem to think ofstwo things
today. One is Timothy Rdbeson-A and
the other is myself"
Lets talk about something else"
aaid Annie And so the conversation
x..nEu worm EInNEYS