The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-02-12
She Admired
Bravery
BY F. A. mitchell

and l were waking IN the woods KICK
ing up the dead leaves. for there were
only a few left on the trees. We were
both young. | twenty-five, Edith eight
cen. | vas sweet on Edith. and when
a man of that age is sweet on q girl
the first idea that enters his head is
that she car only love a heroic per-
sonage who combines every manly at
tribute. When a man of forty gets
sweet on a woman he fears that she
won't consider that he has money
enough to make it worth her while to
marry him.
While Edith and | were walking
along to the pleasant sound of the
kicked leaves / was thinking about
how many virtues | must possess to
win her. 1t was in wartime. and |
naturally supposed that military glory
would count for a good deal
We're getting quite a number OF
instances Of bravery from this war in
Europe | remarked.
YES" she replied. they re splendid
Just think of a young ear not yet
thirty years old. with the life of a no
bleman before him. giving his life for
his country
"Would YOU like to be the widow of
such a MANI
II would grieve for him. but l would
glory in having had such a husband"
This was not encouraging for me. q
= ~ D0oco II xvoc cnYno Apno no.
fore | tried to find out any more of
those traits | did not possess, the alb
| sence Of which would induce Edith to
turn me down.
Il read IN account some time ago."
| said. ''of Il Belgian soldier who was
placed in front Of a company of Ger
mans who were attacking his country
men. Seeing him. the Belgians low
cred their rifles. Fire! be cried. For
heavens sake, fire. A volley swept
the Belgian and the Germans away to
gether."
what Il noble sacrifce!' exclaimed
Edith f%ervently.
"Do you suppose" l said. that II
you had been that Belgian's wife and
q witness Of the cen and bis country.
men had looked to you to approve his
order to fre you could have made the
sacrifice yourself?"
This was a poser. Edith made no
reply for quite awhile: then she said
that she would have preferred to CON-
promise by having them flre on her. !
was not disposed to let her out In this
way and persisted in having q direct
answer. ~whereupon she said that she
was afraid the test would be too much
for her. She might be able to make
the sacrifice and she might not. OF
one thing she was certain. Her heart
would be buried with that noble Bel.
gian.
1t was apparent to me that to win
Edith l must do something heroic.
do you know" I said. II have con-
cluded that this war is a struggle be-
tween reaction and progress. I on
slider it the duty of America to Join in
it on the side of progress"
$50 do H. was the prompt reply.
What ia true of a nation is true of
one of its individual citizens"
what do you mean?"
That it is my duty to fight for the
worlds progress. I'm going abroad to
enlist"
Edith looked grave.
Don't you think it my duty?"
mo: l don't"
why not? Haven't you agreed with
me that it Is our duty as a nation to
fight on the side of progress. and what
is the duty Of a nation is the duty Of
its individual c~itizensY"
Yes: l suppose so. But l think it
would be very foolish for you to go
all the way over there toto get your,
self shot"
I looked down sidewise at Edith.
The idea Of my making myself food
for powder evidently troubled her.
Il sail next week."
There was no comment on this for
awhile. Presently Edith asked me in
a faltering voice why | had said moth.
ing of this before. l was some time
framing my answer. When It came
| spoke in a choked voice:
Because l dread q parting"
with whom?" She kept her eyes
bent on the ground.
"You." I faltered.
l went on to tell her that l loved her.
and she confessed that my love was
returned.
How hard for us to part" I said.
ION the eve Of our betrothal!
I'VE will not part" she said firmly.
my duty calls"
What duty?"
ITO progress. civilization. the cause
Of freedom"
LET 1t CALI
II might have an opportunity to die
one Of those noble deaths we have been
talking about"
you'll do no such thing. You'll stay
at home"
But think how proud you win be Of
| your soldier lover"
II don't want a soldier lover"
Must go unsupported by the