Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-10-27

some minutes-many of the men went
out to the platforms again. watching
other trains arriving from the east and
other companies of recruits going to
the cars.
Men wearing sabers and spurs-a
cavalry troop-tramped by. Jim gaZed
at the hats of those who were In
uniform and observed that they be-
longed to the First Illinois cavalry.
They had led their horses aboard stock
cars on freight tracks far down the
yards and were returning to find
places in the passenger trains.
A trooper. somewhat slighter and
younger than the others. strolled
proudly along. and Jim. as he saw
him, felt his heart stop suddenly and
then race faster. The boy turned
more directly toward Jim. and each
recognized the other.
Mart" Jim hailed. Mart, So
here's where you are."
The boy. at the first recognition. re-
coiled: then, seeing avoidance of Jim
was impossible. he approached swiftly
envy names Wallace!' he whispered
in warning. "Wallace ScOtt."
He looked about cautiously and
plainly was disappointed that no one
seemed to have noticed that Jim had
hailed him by another name.
you've enlistedr' Jim charged him.
well why don't you write home to
tell them that. anyway? OF course,
they've supposed you enlisted, but
they're almost crazy. not hearing from
you"
tive written 'em-or mother any
way" Mart defended himself. 81
mailed 1t just a minute ago. l was
going to write her as soon as we got
ordered out of Chicago. I'm not old
enough to enlist. you know. but I'm
big enough. so l had to come where
no n knew me. My names Wallace
Scott, please remember. and I'm
twenty years old. and l haven't got
any parents or any one else. That's
what I've told them. and I'll stick to
1t. ! can ride pretty well. you know,
SO I got into the cavalry. What are
you going TO do about it?"
You're going east. Mart?"
81 suppose so; we're here to take a
train; that's all | know. | say, JIM"
Mart's hand now caught Jim's sleeve.
"How are they at home? You've
heard. of course"
"Yes. I've heard" Jim admitted
"At your house every ones well-ex-
cept for worrying about you"
Mother? And father?"
Mart had to be assured of both sep
arately.
"And AfnesT"
Eyes; she's all right too"
whats the matter. Jim?"
Nothing"
"Say. what're you doing here. hey?
| knew you'd enlisted. too. of course.
You didn't stay back. But-well. Ag-
mes hasn't come to yet? Is that it?
She's still in q ~trance?"
"She's broken u engagement, If
that's what you're getting at" Jim
informed.
Because you're going to fight! The
little idiot. What do you care for?"
Mart commented, younger brother like.
"Then. you haven't been hearing from
her? You've been hearing only from
your house?"
mo, I've heard from Agnes too"
81 meant to ask. jim Anything
about Bob Wendell?"
mo. nothing yet"
Conner shouted Jim's name, the en-
CINE at the front of the train blew a
warning blast. Jim and Mart clasped
hands.
Good luck, Mart!''
Good luck. Jim!'
Mart ran down the platform for an
other train: Jim turned to his car and
found his seat beside Kilbane. The
irish boy displayed a bit Of delicate
oelaced and embroidered linen.
II discovered it thrust bechune the
cushion So" he demonstrated. "She
was a fine and fair one who dozed here
on the westward thrip!"
ITO Be C~ontInued.)