Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-10-09
The Eagles Call
He Answered 1t and the :
Call OF Honor
By cLARIssA MAcKEE


the blighting presence of the disap-
proving bath boy. Later. clad in spot
less white. he ate his breakfast in the
cool shade of the north veranda
The first rays of the rising sun were
gliding the top Of the compound wall
when the gate opened noisily and ad-
mitted a Chinese in the livery of the
consulate servants. He approached
and delivered parcel into Forests
outstretched hand
Forrest weighed the long, fat pack
age in his palm for a thoughtful mo- !
ment. Every time he received an I'M
expected letter or parcel he was con-
scious of throb Of expectation that
he was to be called back to prove his
mettle. Something had happened sew
eral years ago. when he had been in
the war department, that resulted in
his resignation and immediate depar-
ture for a foreign country. 1t was the
matter of neglected duty which ter
minated in the loss to the department
of $4,000. Forrest was young in those
more engrossed in the scattering of
wild oats than in the careful execution
of his duties
The chief of the department had
been friend of his dead fathers and
he had talked to John Forrest as a
parent might have done. 81 can't save
you from the consequences of your
carelessness, my boy" he had said sad
ly. mo one but yourself can do that.
and it may take years to re-esta blish
confidence in your ability. You better
accept that clerkship with my broth
er's banking house in Shanghai and
some day when you can make good
come home again"
ished," muttered John sullenly. Cant
l work and pay back the money? Or If
the government lost that sum through
my carelessness perhaps l might be
able to save loss some time
The older man brought the palm of
his hand to the table with a sharp
smack. Some day. not now, John.
You go ahead and take this berth in
Shanghai. and give you my word Of
honor that if ever see the opportunity
whereby you can step in and make
good on that mistake of yours I'll send
you message. Because Of my posi-
ton cannot write you or commit my
self in any way. but you will under
stand when the message comes that
your country needs your services and
that your opportunity to make good
has come at last. Have patience and
wait"
very good. sir" John Forrest leap
ed to his feet with new light in his
| young eyes. "I'll sail next week on the
/ Cathay from San Francisco. You won't
forget to send for me. sir?"
"On my honor, John. and you will
leave everything and come. my boy?"
Involuntarily John raised his right
hand as he spoke gravely. 81 will
come whenever you call. sir" And so
it was settled
That had all happened years before.
the call of his country to make restitu-
ton to her for the amount which had
been lost. In the meantime. sobered
by his bitter experience in the capital
of his country. he had worked night
and day at his new situation in Shang-
hal. In that gay city on the Hwangpu
river there were many opportunities
for money making. and John Forrest
was beginning to see where he might
some day be financial power in the
great treaty port Of the east when this
hot summer morning the message
came
He knew as soon as he had opened
the package. All the box contained
was long bronze feather from the
pinon Of an eagle and brief scrawl
on slip Of paper, 1.-THE eagle calls"
Then came a moment of temptation
to the man. He knew that very day
a steamer sailed for San Francisco.
If he missed sailing today 1t meant
that his journey would be delayed for
three days. If he did sail today large
interests which had occupied his mind
lately and which would come to eli
max today would 90 to the wall for
lack of his manipulation. If he could
have only one more day here his f,-
ture aft1uence would be assured. His
going today meant financial ruin
All at once he seemed to see the lux
urious equipment Of the chiefs private
Office and heard his own voice saying
earnestly. II will come whenever YOU
call, sir" His tilted chair crashed to
the floor. and he sent servants flying
In dozen different directions
A brief note to one of his partners
conveyed the information that he was
summoned home at once and that the
deal must be put through without him
if possible. He inclosed power of at
torney and thus washed his hands of
the matter An hour later found him
swaying reckteasly along the Bubbling
Well road In . ricllsha. and he gain
| ed fine long wharf inst in tima r., ootoh