The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-06-07

anything In my life In the way Of en-
fection. you know that"
And you are now considestns nAD-
ing her this singulariy grateful ru-S
turn for all her goodness"
That's So" said Stephen dirty.
I'm all she has, just a. che b al I;s
have. but the acknowledgment wao
made reluctantly enough.
Il was sure you would think OF
that" said Benson.
The boy turned with q sigh TO his
chair by the window
Perhaps there won't be any need
of men," he muttered.
Let US hope not" Benson gravoly
rejoined. will you come with meYs
he added. I'm going back 20 80
II Writ has heard anything more"
NO. It's not fGr rue, you've shown
me that" said Stephen quietly, tax
Ing up his book aga:u
He remained In the ofRlce and read
on, dOggediy and determinedly seek
Ing &c close his senses to all external
sights and sounds Whatever hap
pened duty and devotion left but one
course open to him
That evening-it was FridAy--h0
went home: he wished to escape from
the fever OF excitement that he knew
Vas raging all about him, though he
had voluntarily held himself aloof
from II as from something he feared.
Early the next morning he hunted
up Sam West, who had spent half
the night In town. OF him he eagerly
enquired the latest news; the bom-
bardment OF Fort Sumter still con-
tinued. In the afternoon, Jackson.
the farm tenant was able to tell him
that meeting had been called for
Monday night: and that Captain Jim
Mckeever. veteran OF the Mexican I
war, who had recently failed In the
liquor business. had already been to
Columbus and had returned with the
governors authority to raise . com.
pany OF volunteers in the event OF
there being a call for troops. &,
Stephen knew the captain, q dissi-
pated little man, whose record % Z
citizen was far from spotless; but
In the boys eyes he suddenly a..
sumed heroic proportions, for he had
met the occasion In the one way II
could be met, he had risen above
proftless discussion. He slowly
turned this latest information over In
his mind as he strolled about the
place. One thing was certain. he
would not go into town; most Of all.
he would not go near that meetino
on Monday night
Yet when Monday came. and never
before had Sunday seemed 90 long
In passing. or such useless inter
ruption to the affairs OF life, he found
his interest in the meeting all con-
Stunning and not to be denied; Sum
ter had fallen. and surely something
would be done! DuriAg the afternoon
he informed Virginia that he was 20
Ing In to see Benson; and after sup
per rode In with Jackson who e.
pected to attend the meeting. But
when they reached town, the court
house was already packed to the
doors; Stephen could not have gained
;admittance had he wished: but he
no longer wished to, for what was go
Ing forward on the square he found
Infinitely more to his taste.
The center of interest was Capt.
Mckeever. who. mounted on an up
turned barrel was haranguing the
crowd that pressed about him. The
whole scene was more one of popular
rejoicing than anything else; for no
one then realized the blackness OF
the shadow that was falling on the
land. all was life and excitement, and
Joyous anticipation. How soon this
was TO simmer down in the realities
OF var no one could have foreseen:
but that. too, was again o phase Of
the national uprising. which was
only national as II was widely indi.
yidnal.
Stephen was not In the least moved
by Mckeevers speech; he had 4 GER
tain contempt for oratory: even the
quiet restraint that characterized
most OF Benson's utterances In pub
lie, and he rarely ventured on a meta.
phOr or happy turn, had always OF
Tended him: but his glance was fixed
yearningly on score or more Oi
men In red shirts. who kept togeth
er about the speaker. Ar Intervals,
from the courthouse there issued the
sonnc ol cheers ami me heavy star1p.
ing OF tCei. bur he had TO interest
In what was passing here: !: was
McKeeyer who w1s Worth watching.
McKe-ve: and his Ipen. Yet after
time nc iisensaged himself from The
crowd. snd was SOU, 20 t2rr away.
when some one touched him gently
on the arm. II vas Marian Benson
|, i've been e:arding close g. yoar
elbow for the pas ten minutes. and
. you never saw me-. you hadn't any
eyes for me-" she said, laughing up
, into his face.
Il WAS listening to McKsever," De
muttered.
But you were looking AZ the men
who've enlisted. you never took your
eyes OF them; yon looked and
looked"
Ibid /? Aren't you afraid here
alone " ali this crowd!" he asked.
81 an waiting for papa shs> ex.
planned He has gone into the court
house. but | wanted to hear Captain
McKeever. Sc ! told him | would
stand here by you. Isn't II dread
fully exciting? Do you think the
captain will be able to raise his com
pany? How fine II was Of him to 90
to Columbus and offer to enlist men
for the government.
"Oh. yes, every one seems to want
to join, said the young man mood
lily
He drew her further from the
crowd. They turned the corner into
Main street: here there was silence.
II suppose they are afraid It win
be over with so soon. don't your
suggested the girl.