The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-03-18
She Admired
Bravery
By F. A. Mitchell

Inc up the dead leaves. for there were
4z,ly few left on the trees. We were
10Th young. twenty-five, Edith eight
ON / was sweet on Edith. and when
4 man of that age is sweet on girl
fhe first idea that enters his head is
that she can only love a heroic per-
image who combines every manly at
ffibute. When a man of forty gets
11eet on a woman he fears that she
xbn't consider that he has money
caough to make 1t worth her while to
larry him.
while Edith and / were walking
Long to the pleasant sound of the
kIcked leaves | was thinking about
low many virtues | must possess to
win her 1t was in wartime. and /
naturally supposed that military glory
would count for good deal
'We're getting quite number Of
Instances OF bravery from this war In
Enrope." remarked.
Yes" she replied. they're splendid
INST think of young earl not yet
f6irty years old. with the life of a no
hleman before him. giving his life for
hfs country"
'Would you like to be the widow Of
i1uch a man?"
III would grieve for him. but would
gzory in having had such husband
This was not encouraging for me. a
nan of peace. 1t was some time be-
tore l tried to find out any more of
hose traits | did not possess. the alb
8ence of which would induce Edith IT,
urn me down. =.
II read i'm account some time ago"
Said. ''of Belgian soldier who was
DIaced in front of company Of Ger
u2hns who were attacking his country
n1en. Seeing him. the Belgians low
ered their rifles. 'Firer he cried For
heavens sake, fire. volley swept
the Belgian and the Germans away to
1ether."
RsWhat a noble sacriicew exclaimed
Hdith fervently.
'Do you suppose" l said. that II
1ou had been that Belgians wife and
4'witness of the scene and his country
x1en had looked to you to approve his
der to fire you could have made the
e1crifice yourseif?"
This was a poser. Edith made no
F&ply for quite awhile: then she said
TAT she would have preferred to COM
neomise by having them fire on her.
Whs not disposed to let her out in this
Hay and persisted In having a direct
answer. whereupon she said that she
Uas afraid the test would be too much
~ her. She might be able to make
ne sacrifice and she might not. OF
me thing she was certain. Her heart
#puld be buried with that noble Bel
an
It was apparent to me that to win
Htlith must do something heroic.
'Do you know" said. II have con
EIpded that this war is struggle be-
fNeen reaction and progress con-
der it the duty of America to join In
on the side of progress"
ESQ do l." was the prompt reply.
What is true of nation is true of
f<#c VI It's luuiN luudl CltlLeUS-
what do you mean?"
That 1t is my duty to fight for the
Hprld's progress. I'm going abroad to
znlist.'
Edith looked grave.
Don't you think it my duty?"
No; don't.
Why not? Haven't you agreed with
11e that 1t is our duty as a nation to
nght on the side of progress. and what
the duty of nation is the duty of
~ individual citizens?"
Yes; suppose So But / think 1t
Hpuld be very foolish for you to go
81 the way over there toto get your
elf shot"
looked down sidewise at Edith.
pc idea of my making myself food
~ powder evidently troubled her.
I sail next week"
There was no comment on this for
while. Presently Edith asked me in
gathering voice why had said moth
70 OF this before. | was some time
aiming my answer. When 1t came !
ARoke in choked voice:
Because dread a parting"
With whom?" She kept her eyes
mt on the ground.
YOU" faltered.
went on to tell her that loved her.
DC she confessed that my love was
f$turned.
How hard for US to part" | said.
PA the eve of our betrothal!'
We will not part" she said firmly.
MY duty calls
What duty?"
To progress. civilization. the cause
81 freedom"
Let 1t call"
\ might have an opportunity to die
pe OF those noble deaths we have been
liking about"
You'll do no such thing. You'll stay
81 home.-
Hut think how proud you will be of
<pur soldier lover"