The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1916-07-11
Hello. this IS Beckett"

As Jacks deep voice. with the trace
Of huskineSs which was so familiar TO
me came over the wire | felt the hot
tears sting my eyelldS. This was perhaps
the last time in life | should ever hear
the voice Of the cousin who had been
@ than a brother to me. The knowl
edge OF what his loss would mean to
me was enveloping M like a pail
"Oh, Jack" the words were more like
a cry than a greeting
Margaret" | could hear his gasp
OF surprise. This is good for you, dear,
but are you sure it is wise, Where are
you 'phoning from Your home"
'No; from a drug store booth near
by"
"That'S all right | heard him give a
little sigh Of relief / could not quite
iaihom his reason for thinking me un-
wise 10 telephone him / know, however.
that his objection was in some way
part OF his general plan TO protect me
from any possible anger OF Dicky's BY
eliminating himself from my IN,
u suppose you received my letter" his
calm voice srcadicd me. I felt as II |
had been on the verge OF hystctla
"Oh YES, lack. and | am so upset
and miserable over H. ! cannot let you
60 over there Why YOU may never
come back
Don't you ever think If ~" HIS
voice was gay bantcrlng but ! who had
known his every tone and infection
since bdhyhood recognized the strain
beneath the gdys'y 1t was ever lacks
way to think OF himself last
'lll come back riding a charger up
broadway with a sword uplltted. and
Victoria crosses and Legion, OF Honor
splitting all over the place m sec thar
vou get a front seat on the reviewing
stand, and YOU can turn mp your nose
and say ! knew HIM when IL"
Please, Jack. don't jest about H." I
was fighting hard 10 keep ms voice from
b%c'raylng the tears which threatened 10
. choke me- every instant "lt .. awful
your going 'his way ! fol So"
~ isieu Margaret" Jacks voice held
% note o' command 81 know what's
troubling Your tender heart most. and
I'm going 70 tell Won that you're ali
wrong You iecl that you're 10 blame
for my going don't YOU
Why I've hen SO afraid ever since
! read your letter" ,'ammcrcd
'l thought so We'll. lct me- tell YOU
Won ought 20 know wei enough n
know how the dangerou, unknown grip,
mr. H. right m my blood And my t,el-
ug, have been intensely stirred by my
friend Clillafl with whom am
going
Jack Bfavcly Refuses.
"Di course. Margaret into hrs voice
,rcH' o. icnicrrr NOT, I'm not going 10
DENY ihlr n the hopes that I brought
back Vfh me bad hern fulfilled ! should
mot have ihauslr of going RIM 10 would
have been an inclination sacrificed for
ynn The point want ip gc, Is this
u bad never known YOU I should he
DOING exactly what I am going to do
tomorrow"
! dil not know vhrihcr he were ~.
'ur 90 me- ur not but | chose ~ hc.
lir,c him VIZ, words lifted the weight
from my hear, 'ha, had settled there
when | first read his letter announcing
Doc. intention o. iu,1 the engineering
corp, 800 France with III, friend Gail
lard
"iou are ,o good 'u tell me that.
Jack ! said gratefully. hut I mus,
,c- ,ou somehow before YOU 60"
There was = long silence a. the 9th
ct end ~ The wire ! knew in.linJ'iyrly
what u meant lack va, fighting Ihat.
'l with himself He wanted To- see me
before he LETT bu, / knew a, well a,
when he spoke that he would negative
The pfHrH. i'ion