The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1916-09-28

we're not ready-not the lenst ready!
We shall need every man"
His remark brought home to Larry
Redmond a realization OF the way I'm
which the situation applied to himself
Then, I'm some ways. It's good I've
come back" he commented. II must
report az once"
Guy Falconer turned to him with I'M
bounded enthusiasm lighting up his
young face.
'I'll go with you!" he cried. "Is II
too late TO enlist tonieht2"
I'm afraid So" Larry said.
Guys words struck his mother with
a quick chill OF fear. She rose hastily
from her seat and going fearfully up
to her son. laid a suppllcating hand up
on his arm.
''But. Guy. you're not going TO the
WARP" she said with q catch in her
voice.
"Why. of course I am. MOTHER
"Of course lie is" Georgy Wagstaff
repeated after him.
But. Guy-you said YOU wouldn't
fghtw his mother reminded him trem-
ulously. Her feelings had undergone
sudden change.
81 know" he said, putting his hand
upon hers soothingly. "But that was
when l didn't believe there would be
war. And now that It's come, I
couldn't stay bone. couldn't"'
That's the spirit. my boy" Sir
George told him with renewed trust
in British manhood.
"But, Guy-you mustn't! 7 couldn't
let you CO., she told him brokenly.
He was sorry for her. And yet there
was an unwonted sternness in Guys
| face as he said:
Mother you don't want me to be
cowardT
But, my hoy. you're all I've got In
| the world You're the only thing I've
! leftw And then she took him in her
arms and sObbed. To her had come
only a little more quickly than to
! other English mothers the remuneration
that war demands Of lowly and high
alike.
"Don't cry. mother. please-don't"'
Guy said gently. You know I've got
TO go. I'll come back all right"
cor course he will" said Georgy.
"And then I'll marry him." Guy had
all at once assumed new proportions in
her eyes. She had always been fond
OF him. from the time they were girl
and boy together But She had never
taken him quite seriously. Now, how
ever, she saw that Guy was man,
and that he intended TO play n mans
part in the approaching struggle. And
in that moment Georgy knew that he
was more than worthy OF her,
A new light shone in Guys eyes as
he turned to the girl.
"Will you really" he asked. "You
hear that mother? Why, that alone is
worth going to the front for-and I'll
get a V. c. and be hero and Wen live
happily ever after"
or such is the rosy optimism OF
youth.
Georgy Wagstaff placed her hands
in his.
"For once, you dear old thing.
can't argue with you." she said. And
though she smiled nj him, she had diff
flculty in keeping back her tears.
Guy FalcOner stood very erect as nc
took his mother by the hand. He saw
women in a new light now-saw and
recognized the sacrifices they had in.
evitably 10 make In LIES battles, since
the beginning Of time.
"Come on, mother," he said gravely
"Take me to the barracks"
my son, I'm proud OF YOU" she
half whispered, as she looked up al
him through her tears.
$50 am ~ added Georgy Wagstaff
She had acquired all at once new
sense Of proprietorship in Guy. "You'l
write me?" she asked him.
Every day" he promised eagerly.
And you-ynu will he careful
won't you, Guy" his mother besousht
him. with her hands upon his shout
dcrs.
cor course. I'll be careful"
And then they had gone-Mrs. Fail
coner and Georgy, hanging desperately
TO him who was dearest of the whole
world TO them.
Sir George Wagstaff turned to the
others with an air Of unaffected pride.
There's the true Englishman!" he
said.
"And there'll be Manifestation
sands, like him-the flower of our coun
try. who won't come back" Ethel said
slowly. "oh. It's too terrible" The
little tragedy had touched her to the
quick. Beside it her own trouble:
seemed momentarily dwarfed.
Eyes, it is terrible" Sir Georg,
agreed. lie had no illusions as t
what war meant for England.
81 must go at once to the war office,
Captain Redmond announced hurried
ly. And he shook hands with Miss vii
. loughby. "Good-by. Ethelr' he said il
, tone that was far more sober thar
was customary for him.
, 81 must return to the admiralty,
Sir George said. Coming. Redmond 2
as he moved toward the door.