The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-06-20

- aHBAbhAAAAAk hAhAt AlNAN 10 a AtAANi
from your father" She extended the
paper "He sent It by his orderly"
Wilfred stepped closer TO the elder
woman while Caroline slowly rose
from her chair her eyes fixed OF
Mrs. Varney.
What does he say, mother?" asked
Wilfred.
"He says" answered his mother
with measured quietness. and control
fling herself with the greatest dificul
ty, "he tells me that-that you-ar6
-" in spite of her tremendous effort
her voice failed her. Read 1t your
self. my boy" she whispered pitifully
The letter was evidently exceeding
ly brief, A moment put Wilfred In
possession Of its contents His
mother stood with head averted. Car
oline stared with trembling lips. @
pale face, and a heaving bosom. II
was 10 the orderly that Wilfred ad
dressed himself
II am to go back with you?"
Generals orders sir" answered
the soldier. saluting, ito enter the
service. God knows we need every
body now"
when do we start?" asked Wilfred
eagerly, his face flushing as he real.
ized that his fondest desire was now
to be gratifled.
AS soon as you are ready, sir.
am waiting"
81 am ready now" said Wilfred.
He turned to his mother. You won t
mind. mother" he said, bis own lips
trembling a little for the first time at
the sight of her grief
Mrs. Varney shook her head. She
stepped nearer to him, smoothed the
hair back from his forehead, and
stretched out her arms to him as II
she fain would embrace him. but she
controlled herself and handed him the
cap and belt.
Your brother" she said slowly,
seems to be little better He wants
you to take his cap and belt. told
him your father had sent for you, and
/ knew you would wish to go TO the
front at once"
Wilfred took the belt from her
trembling hands, and buckled it about
him. His mother handed him the cap
Howard says he can get another
belt when he wants it, and you are
TO have his blankets. too. l will go
and get them"
She turned and left the room. She
was nearly at the end of her resisting
power, and but for the welcome d.
version incident to her departure she
could not have controlled herself
longer The last one! One taken.
one trembling, and now Wilfred!
The boy entered into none Of the
emotions of his mother. He clapped
the cap on his head and threw it
back.
Fits me just as if it were made
for me-" he said, settling the cap
firmly in place. Orderly, / will be
with you in jiffy."
Caroline stood still near the table,
her eyes on the floor
I'VE won't have to send it now,
will we?" he pointed to the letter.
Caroline, with a long, deep sigh,
shook her head, and slowly hand
ed the letter to him. Wilfred took it
mechanically his eyes fixed on the
girl, who had suddenly grown very
white of face, trembly of lip, and
teary of eye-lashes.
OVoV vor,y cOnd ba sofJ taar-
ing the letter into pieces, Ito help me
like you did"
1T was nothing" whispered the girl.
you can help me again, If you want
to-"
Caroline lifted her eyes to his face,
and he saw within their depths that
which encouraged him.
Il can fight twice as we'll, if"
Poor little Caroline couldn't trust
herself to speak. She nodded through
her tears.
Goodbye" said Wilfred, you will
write to me about helping me to fight
.wice as well, won't you. You know
what l mean?"
GdTOlluH uOuu6u again
81 wouldn't mind if you telegraphed
ne that you would"
What might have happened further /
will never be determined, for at this |
uncture Mrs. Varney came back with
IN old faded blanket tied in roll.
She handed it to the boy without
peaking. Wilfred threw it over his
and kissed his mother hur-
iedly.
You won't mind much, wiz you,
lother. l will soon be back. Order
n" he cried.
Sir"
81 am ready" said Wilfred
He threw one long, meaning look
t Caroline, and followed the soldier
ut of the door and across the hall.
he opening and closing of an outside
oor was heard, and then all was still,
Irs. Varney held her hand to, her
cart, and long. shuddering breaths
anne from her. He might soon be
ack but how. She knew all about
le famous injunction of the Spartan
oman, With your shield or on it"
ut somehow she had no idea of
le full significance until it came to
er last boy, and for moment she
as forgetful of poor little Caroline
ntil she saw the girl wavering to-
ard the door, and there was no dis
lise about the real tears in her eyes
ow.
Are you going. dear?" asked Mrs.
arney, forcing herself to speak. {
Caroline nodded her head as before.
"Oh, yes" continued the older wom- !
j, your party, you have to be there" :
At that the girl found voice. and