Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-07-22
Old GLORY LEADS
BY ,zoLA FORESTER.

There's OLD Mr.. Miliard-
Kit stopped, too, and frankly rs-
gled.
III he'd be willing TO let you take
any OF his relics"
"But they'd be Southern"
"Just Virginia. Everybody loves
Virginia. Anyhow. who'd know which
side they came fromY"
III you'd ask Walt. Kit, he'd get
them for you"
II won't ask him. He told me the
thing was IN idiotic mixup that
should have been avoided by cool
heads and he said the North should
have paid for every slave and not i'm
poverished the South. and he said that
cotton and politics lay at the back OF
It,"
Then we must get them" In all
emergencies Orrie rose supreme to
trihing obstacles.
That morning about II as old Mr..
Willard came slowly and painfully
along the old stone.hagged walk from
the well to the barn. no faced two WIS.,
itors-Kit in her very prettiest gown
OF white, with little green and pink
sprigs, and q big white hat dropping
around her face, and behind her Or
RE, plump and positive.
When they reached the side porch
Of the old house In which he had lived
alone for years, Kit stated their er-
rand. Could the Daughters Of the Vet
Grams borrow his war relics?
Il amt got any folks buried up this
side Of the line," he said shortly. x
reckon l don't want to show any
thing"
"Oh, but please; we haven't hardly
anything" Orrie broke In, and for 10
minutes the two argued. n on each
side OF the old chap, b~egging'and ex-
planning. When they finished. there
was a subdued twinkle In his eyes.
and he looked at Kit.
"Ain't you the girl my Waits been
going WITH" he asked cheerfully. w
to her forehead. Kit blushed, but stood
her ground.
Then why don't you get him or
your side, too? He wouldn't shoulder
a gun II all creation was climbing over
his back fence. He'd go out and read
q book at them and offer to take dowr
the fence to save them the trouble o.
climbing over It."
"Mr. Millard." Kit leaned forward
now in dead earnest. you're the onl,
man left here in Buell. who knows real
ly what war is. Won't you get up ans
make a speech tomorrow .
me? Never made q speech In m!
life, but | believe In being ready III
thumped the porch heavily. ANT
what happened back In 81 amt mel
Their here nor there when It comes Il
what's best for today. You can hav'
all my things II you'll get Walt to sa,
he'd fight II the rest had to. That
ali-that he'd fight II the rest ha'
to-"
'Trl see Walt" Kit answered firmly
and when they came to the main stree
up she went all alone to the little Ia,
Office that Walter Willard had opene
up over the drug store. The color LEI
his face ut sight OF his visitor. but h
was grave and courteous and listene
to all she had to say.
you know how I feel. Kit" he sal
finally. Il can't 20 back on my priI
ciples Just because It's Memorial day
Then you needn't come to see m
again" Kit flashed back at him. :
wouldn't marry any man who wouldn
fight II the rest did. Just as your gram
father says"
Yet all the c OF the celebr'
tion could not take away the bite
ness and hopeiessness. They wei
beth college bred. children OF the late
day bringing up In the little Ne
England town. and proud. Kit. stan
ing beside the other girls on the lit
green. listened while the two selec
men and tho town doctor made the
speeches. followed by the prcach'
and the superintendent OF schools
. this district.
0rrie helped him down. and then |
. boriously but resolutely old Mr.. NJ
lard took his place. A cheer went
from the crowd. and he smiled Rig
In front Of him was XII. orpectant nj
wideeyed. and behind her. tall al
silent. stood Walt
What I've come here ~ say. frienl
and neighbofs. began the old chap
what ] come here 10 say IL this.
Amt any ~speechifyer o orator. and
amt sorry that ! Tough, for tho sid,
believed was right. nuther. but !
say this uodsy@UI!ted We stand.
yided we fall Let's stand togeth'
back 10 back. and follow where tho Q
flag calls. That's my message. Wa
yet up here and echo H."
He stumbled down. and XII watch
o In breathleaa suspense as Walt stepp
a forward. There was n heavy hu
a. now. Everybody knew young MIllar,
sentiments. and knew. too. he was I
most promising young man In Buell.
/, II would light II the rest had 4
!, was nil he said. very clearly. very hr
ly. Somebody started up "Ameriol
" and he found himself beside Kit. no
H. Ing her hands fast In his. One OF
:. selectmcn spoke TO him iokingly. h
n. In earnest. THAT long speech OF you
n. Walt. will land you In tho lcgialat,
n. next winter"
aft ianda ma In haavan aaanar IN