The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-12-22

Str George saw no reason for te11ina
them half truths.
1.-THE most powerful feet the world
has ever known has gone to the NORTH
sea to the Klel canal to bottle up thu
German navy. and that It will do, I'm
certain. With the bulk Of the German
feet unable to come out, we'll prove
once again that Britannia does rule the
waves"
His words thrilled everyone Of them.
And there's really going to be war;"
Mrs. Falconer exclaimed in a wonder
ing voice. II never believed I'd i've
to see It."
"And a long, horrible war;" Sir
George continued slowly. I'VE shall
suffer very terribly-England, 1 fear.
In particular. because we did not ex.
pect It. We've been too sure that it
would never happen in our lifetime.
Some day-yes! But not now! And
we're not ready-not the least ready!
We shall need every man."
His remark brought home to Larry
Redmond a realization Of the way in
which the situation applied to himself.
Then. In some ways, it's good I've
come back" he commented. II must
report at once"
Guy Falconer turned to him with I'm.
bounded enthusiasm lighting IN his
young face.
"1ll go with you!" he cried. "1s Il
too late to enlist tonight?'
"1'm afraid So" Larry said.
Guys words struck his mother with
a quick chill Of fear. She O hastily
from her seat and going fearfully up
to her son. laid a supplicating hand up
on his arm.
But. Guy. you're not going to the
warp she said with a catch in her
voice.
"Why. of course / am. mother"
"Of course he is" Georgy Wagstaff
repeated after him.
SBut, Guy-you said you wouldn't
fight" his mother reminded him trem.
ulously. Her feelings had undergone
a sudden change.
Il know" he said, putting his hand
upon hers soothingly. But that was
when I didn't believe there would be
war. And now that it's come. ]
couldn't stay home. I couldn'tw
That's the spirit, my boy" 81,
George told him with a renewed trust
in British manhood.
But, Guy-you mustn't! l. couldn1
LOT WIN ~o!D oho %nll h@~> A.@V-.-I-
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 9
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 a little more quickly than t.
other English mothers the remuneration
that wa demands Of lowly and higl
alike.
Don't cry, mother. please-don't"
Guy said gently. you know I've gor
to SC. 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 We're girl
and boy together. But she had never
taken him quite seriously. Now, how.
ever, she saw that Guy was a man,
and that he intended to play a mans
part In the approaching struggle. And
In that moment Gcorgy knew that he
was more than worthy of her.
A new light shone in Guys eyes as
he turned to the girl.
"Will you rcally?" he asked. "Yon
hear that. mother? Why. that alone is
worth going to the front for-and I'll
get a V. c. and be a hero and Well live
happily ever after"
OF such ~ the rosy optimism OF
youth.
Georgy Wagstafr placed her hands
In his.
For once, you dear old thing,
argue with you," she said. And
though she SMILED at him. she had diff.
fculty in keeping back her tears.
Guy Fa4coner stood very erect as he
Q his mother by the hand. He saw
women in a new light now-saw ANA
recognized the sacrifices they had in
evitably to make in life's 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 at
him through her tears.
$50 am I" added Georgy Wagstaff,
She had acquired all at once a new
sense Of proprietorship in Guy. you'll
me:" she asked him.
Every day" he p--omised eagerly.
"And you-you will be careful,
won't you, Guy?" his mother besousht
him, with her hands upon his Shout.
lers.
"Of course, I'll be careful"
And then they had gone-Mrs. Tal.