Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-09-06

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
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 TO
other English mothers the remuneration
tnas war demands of lowly and high
alike.
Don't cry. mother. please-don'tw
Guy said gently. You know I've got
to go. I'll come back all right"
"Of course he will = said Georgy.
And then I'll NARY 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 n man,
and that he intended to play mans
part IN the approaching struggle. And
was more than worthy of her.
A new light shone in Guys eyes as
he turned to the gil
"Will you real!yF" he asked "You
hear that, mother: Why. that alone is
worth going to the front for-and I'll
get V. c. and DC i hero and wen live
happily ever after"
OF 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 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. motherr' 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 r. added Georgy Wagstaff
She had acquired all at ouce a new
sense of proprietorship in Guy. you'll
write me?' she asked him.
Every day." he promised eagerly
And you-you will he 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 Mrs Fail
So.iof ana Georgy. hanging desperately
to him who was dearest of the whole
world to them.
Sir George Wagstaff turned TO the
others with an air of unaffected pride
There's the true Englishman?' he
said
And there'u he manifestations
sands, like him-the flower of our cOun-
try. who won't come back" Ethel said
slowly. "Oh, it's too terribler The
little tragedy had touched her TO the
quick Beside it her own troubles
seemed momentarily dwarfed.
Yes, it is terrible" Sir George
agreed. He had no illusions as to
what war meant for England.
q must go at once to the war Office
Captain Redmond announced hurried
ly And he shook hands with Miss Will
loughby. "Good-by, Ethel"' he said in
tone that was far more sober than
was customary for him.
Il must return to the admiralty"
Sir George said. Coming, Redmond?"
as he moved toward the door.
Larry had already started to join
him when Ethel called him back
Larry. before you go. may have
just five minutes with you-alone?"
"Of counsel" he assented You'll
forgive me. Sir George?"
surely! See you again. Redmondr'
And with that Georgy's father left
them-alOne
Larry. when will you go to the
'FRONT.'" Ethel asked in tense voice.
He set his cap and stick upon stool
before answering her
Il don't know" he said. I'm afraid
| shan't be in the thick of the fight
You mean they won't send your"
II fear not, my dear. They'll want
me-they've often said so-for soma
thing they call more important than
being shot at. They'll use me in the
special service-what you'd call a spy
suppose. though. it's as good as any
other way to die for ones country. 'TiS
my duty-though I'd not be too proud
of it."
For brief time she made no reply.
as she pondered his words.
Wont you let me help?" she asked
him then
"You?" He wondered what she
could mean.
Il do so want to help" she con
tinued. 'There'll be thousands of wom-
en- who'll go to the front as nurses
millions to do the things at home But
can't 20 TO serve England-to be in
the special service too?'
A shadow crossed his fine face at the
mere mention of the undertaking.
"oh. my dear, couldn't let you,
The risk for you'd be too great. /
couldn't permit it
But she would not be put down so
easily.
Think of the things a woman could
do safely without suspicion" she ar
gued. where a man would be use
less
Il know. know-but | couldn't al
low It. And your husbandP' he ques-