The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-10-06
were not ready-not the least ready
We shall need every man"

were not ready-not the least ready!
We shall need every man."
| His remark brought home to Larry
! Redmond realization of the way I'm
which the situation applied to himself.
Then. in some ways. it's good I've
| come back" he commented. II must
| report ut once"
Guy Falconer turned to him with I'M
bounded enthusiasm lighting up his
young face.
'I'll go with you" he cried. ais II
too late to enlist tonight?"
'I'm afraid So Larry said.
Guys words struck his mother with
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
war; she said with catch in her
voice.
"Why. of course am. mother.
"Of course he is" Georgy Wagstaff
repeated after him.
But. Guy-you said you wouldn't
ulously Her feelings had undergone
a sudden change.
Il 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.
couldn't stay home. / couldn't!'
That's the spirit. my boy" Sir
| al i,1,x +r,,S 81
in British manhood.
But, Guy-you mustn't. couldn't
let you go" 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 a
coward?"
But my boy. you're all I've got in
the world, You're the only thing I've
left" And then she took him in her
arms and sobbed. To her had come
only n 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"
| gently Ou hlOW We tOl
to go. I'll come back all right"
"Of 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 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 V. G. and be hero and We'll 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 at him, she had diff
ficulty in keeping back her tears.
Guy. FalcOner stood very erect as he
took his mother by the hand. He saw
women In a new light now-saw and
recognized the sacrifices they had In
evitably to make in life's battles, since
the beginning of time.
"Come on, motherw he said gravely.
"Take me to the barracks
"My son, I'm proud of you" she
half whispered, as she looked up at
him through her tears
$50 am L." added Georgy Wagstaff.
She had acquired all at once n new
sense of proprietorship in Guy. you'll
write me?' she asked him.
Every day" he promised eagerly.
"And you-you will be careful.
won't you, Guy" his mother besought
him, with her hands upon his shout
ders.
"Of course I'll be careful"
And then they had gone-ATrs. Fail
coner and Georgy, hanging desperately
| to him who was dearest of the whole
world to them.
| olT beOTBe w uSSldn tuTHcu IO tue
others with an air of unaffected pride.
There's the true Englishmanw he
said.
"And there'll be manifestations
sands, like him-the flower Of our coun-
| try. who won't come back" Ethel said
slowly. ooh, it's too terrible" The
little tragedy had touched her to the
quick. Beside 1t her own troubles
seemed momentarily dwarfed.
Eyes, it is terrible" Sir George
| agreed. He had no illusions as to
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 Will
loughby. "Good-by, Ethelv' he said in
tone that was far more sober than
was customary for him.
81 must return to the admiralty"
| Sir George said. Coming. Redmond 2"
MS he moved toward the door.
Larry had already started to join
/ him whom Ethel called him bapl