Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-05-21
She Admired
Bravery
By F. A. Mitchell

a man of that age Is sweet on a girl
the first idea that enters his head is
that she can only love a heroic per-
sonage who combines every manly at
tribute. When a man of forty gets
sweet on a woman be fears that she
won't consider hat he has money
enough to make 1t 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 III for a good deal.
Were getting quite a number of
instances OF bravery from this wal in
Europe" | remarked
YES" she replied. They're splendid.
Just think of a young earl 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"
~ would grieve for him. but would
| glory In having had such a husband"
This was not encouraging for me, q
man of peace. 1t was some time be-
fore | tried to find out any more of
| those traits did not possess. the abb
| sence of which would induce Edith to
turn me down.
II read an ccoun some time ago."
1 said. 'of a 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. .Firer be cried. For
heavens sake, fire! A volley swept
the Belgian and the Germans away to-
gether."
what a noble sacrificed" exclaimed
Edith ferventiy.
do you suppose" ! said. that II
you had been that Belgian's wife and
u witness of the scene and his country
men had looked to you to approve his
| order to fire you could nave made the
sacrifice yourselfY"
This was Il poser. Edith made no
reply for quite awhile; her she said
that she would have preferred to COM
promise by having them fire on her. l
was not disposed to let her out in this
way and persisted in having a 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 | must do something heroic.
DO you know" | said. 81 have con-
Guided that this war is a struggle be-
tween reaction and progress. l con
slider 1t the duty of America to join In
it on the side of progress"
$50 do l." was the prompt reply.
What is true of a nation is true of
one of its individual citizens"
What do you meant"
THAT 1t 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 ~citizens?"
Eyes; | suppose so. But l think it
would be very foolish for you to go
all the way ever there toto get your
self shot"
l looked down sidewise at Edith.
The idea OF my making myself food
for powder evidently troubled her.
81 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 | dread a parting"
with whom?" She kept her eyes
bent on the ground.
"You." | faltered.
/ went on to tell her that | loved her.
and she confessed that my love was
returned.
"How hard for US to part" | said.
ION the eve Of our betrothalF'
I'VE will not part" she said firmly.
my duty calls"
what duty?"
ITO progress, civilization. the cause
Of freedom"
LET It call"
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 viii be of
your soldier lover"
Il don't want a soldier lover"
"Must l go unsupported by the
knowledge that you are willing to sac
riice"-
you'll not 20 at ALL"