The midland journal., 1916-10-13

not catch. "If don't see you before
sail, drop me postal. Ny address
will be in care Of the General Post OF.
fice, Havana, Cuba"
Charlie Brown smiled at him indul-
gently. He knew just how serious Guy
was in regard to shirking his duty. But
Mrs. Falconer was still troubled by
her sons apparent disaffection.
"Please, Guyw she pleaded. She
could not bear to hear her own child
brand himself as unpatriotic, if not an
actual coward.
II never knew till now that you
were a Spartan mother" Guy told her.
Besides, didn't think you'd want to
see your own little boy all shot to
pieces"
They were on the point Of leaving
when Sir Georges butler brought the
news to Miss Willoughby that Captain
Redmond was calling.
Captain Redmondv' she repeated,
as ie the news were almost too strange
for belief. "Ask him to come up,
Brewster"
At the name, Guy Falconer turned
to Ethel joyfulIy.
"Larry back after a whole yearw
he cried. 'Isn't that rippingv'
"Oh, we must wait to see Larry!'
his mother said.
"Oh, indeed we mustr' added
Georgy.
In another moment Captain Red
mond stood before them. There was
certainly no question as to his greet
ing. Guy Falconer all but fell upon
his neck.
"Hello, good people!' the newcomer
said with an all-embracing smile. He
was Irish The hint Of the brogue even
in those few words showed that much,
had his dancing blue eyes left any
chance Of doubt as to his race. Ad-
miration, as well as affection, shone in
the faces of his friends as they feasted
their own eyes upon him, for the cap
tain was unquestionably fine figure
of q man, in his spruce uniform of the
Irish Guards. Ethel Willoughby was
the last to greet him. But when the
rest had released him she held out her
hand to him.
Larry, I am glad to see you" she
said from the bottom of her heart.
He stopped short In his acknowl-
edglnents of the others greetings. And
turning abruptly to Ethel, as if he had
eyes for her alone, he exclaimed:
"Sure, not as much as l am to see
your And he fairly beamed his de-
light at seeing her once more.
"When did you get back, old man"
Guy asked when they had introduced
Larry and Charlie Brown.
"Only this morning." Captain Red
mond answered, "but I thought I'd
have to come here directly to pay my
respects to an old friend-and | meet
three old friends"
Georgy Wagstaff pouted at that. She
was extremely fond of the dashing Of
ficer and she dearly loved to banter
with him.
"I'm not so terribly DID," she object
ed-'or do you think I've aged much?"
"In a year, sure, you've grown
younger You're only slip of girl
now; and you were getting to be quite
young woman when I left" he told
her.
ITS a whole year since you went
away" Ethel Willoughby half whis-
pered to Redmond as he came nearer
her.
"And it seems hundredv' he de-
clared. Charlie Brown, catching his
reply to her, knew of certainty that
he was irish. But underneath the cap
tain's fulsome remarks there often lay
sincerity that was more deeply root
ed than a casual bystander might sup
pose.
Mr.. Brown felt that he must really
tear himself away from that interest
ing party.
"Good-by, Miss Willoughbyw he
said. "Good-by, captain! l hate to
bust up a reunion like this, but I've
got to get back and write piece for
the paper"
Still Mrs. Falconer would not let ner
sons friend escape quite yet.
"dr. Brown" she said, ''for some
reason like you. fancy it's because
you amuse me. Why don't you dine
with us? Perhaps if ask Captain
Redmond, Ethel will come"
"Let's dine early" Guy said. "Don't
bother to dress. Well go to the Savoy
grill and meanwhile I'll get tickets for
the Palace. There's an awfully clever
American girl there now"
"WeIl pick you up here, Ethel" his
mother added-"say in half an hour.
We might be able to motor TO Rich
mond for dinner and still see the
show"
"Will you pick me up here, too?"
Captain Redmond asked.
'In half an hourr she agreed.
In the doorway Georgy Wagstaff
cast a roguish glance back at her
pretty goyerness.
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