The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1915-03-03
She Admired
Bravery
By F. A. MICHEL

ing up the QeaQ leaves, LOT Cnere were
only a few left ON the trees. We were
both young, twenty-five, Edith eight
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 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 1 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 young earl not yet
thirty years old. with the life of no
bleman before him. giving his life for
his country"
"Would you like to be the widow of
such a man.
81 would grieve for him, but / would
glory in having had such husband"
This was not encouraging for me, Z;
man of peace. 1t was some time be-
fore l tried to find out any more of
those traits | did not possess, the alb
sence of which would induce Edith to
turn me down.
81 read an account some time ago"
I said. "of Belgian soldier who was
placed in front of "a company of Ger
mans who We're attacking his country
men. Seeing him. the Belgians low
cred their rifles. 'Fire!' he cried For
heavens sake, fire! A volley swept
the Belgian and the Germans away to
gether."
what a noble sacritice"' exclaimed
Edith fervently.
"Do you suppose" | said. that if
you had been that Belgian's wife and
q witness of the scene and his country.
men had looked to you to approve his
order to fire you could have made the
sacrifice yourself?"
This was q poser. Edith made no
reply for quite awhile; then she said
that she would have preferred to com
promise by having them fire on her. |!
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 l must do something heroic.
do you know" | said, 81 have con-
Guided that this war is struggle be-
tween reaction and progress. con-
slider it the duty of America to join in
it on the side of progress"
$50 do T. was the prompt reply.
what is true of 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: don't"
WHY not? Haven't you agreed with
me that it is our duty as nation to
fight on the side of progress. and what
is the duty Of Il nation is the duty OF
its individual citiZens?"
Eyes: suppose so. But / think it
would be very foolish for you TO go
all the way over there toto get your
self shot"
looked down sidewise at Edith.
The idea of my making myself food
for powder evidently troubled her.
II sail next week"
There was no comment on this for
awhile Presently Edith asked me in
q faltering voice why | had said moth
ing of this before | was some time
framing my answer. When it came !
spoke in choked voice:
Because I dread a parting"
with whom? She kept her eyes
bent on the ground.
"You." faltered
Invent on to tell her that loved her,
and she confessed that my love was
returned.
How hard for US to part" I said.
ION the eve of our betrothalr'
I'VE will not part" she said firmly.
my duty calls
what duty?"
ITO progress, civilization. the cause
of freedom"
;t ,o1l,