Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-11-23


Captain Redmond was the first to
break the ensuing silence.
Good God! Then it's come at last"
he cried in a ringing voice.
"And the fleet! What Of the English
fleet?'' Ethel WiIIougbby exclaimed, as
her quick mind turned inevitably to
that most vital factor Of Britain's de
Tense. 1t was pure patriotism that
prompted her question. For the mo-
ment ali thought Of Henry Straetman
and his constant imp0rtuning vanished
completely from her reckoning.
Sir George swept the little company
with q rapid glance.
you are all practically members Of
my family-at least [ regard you as
SUCH" he said. Redmond, you are an
officer in his majesty's seryice-what
L-say is in absolute confidence"
Larry stood stifIy at attention.
"Of course, Sir George" he an
swered.
Then Sir George told them what
Henry Streetman would have given
his soul to know.
'Winst0n Churchill went to Ports
mouth this mQrning. The British feet
Don't cry, mother, pIeasa-d0n'tr'
Guy said gently. you know I've got
to go. I'll come back all right"
COT 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 a man,
and that he intended to play q 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.
evil you reaIIy?" he asked. 'eYou
hear that. mother? Why, that alone is
worth going TO the front f0r-and I'll
get q Y. @. and be a hero and Wen live
happily ever after"
Of such is the rosy optimism Of
youth.
Georgy Wagstaf 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 FaIconer stood very erect as he
took his mother by the hand. He saw
women in a new light nov-saw and
recognized the sacrifices they had in
evitably to make in Iife'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 an IT, added GeOrgy Wagstafif.
She had acquired all at once a new
sense Of proprietorship in Guy. you'll
write me?' she asked him.
Every day" he promised eagerly.
and yOu-you viii be careful
won't you. GuyE' his mother bes0ught
him, with her hands upon his shout
dcrs.
"Cf course, III be careful"
And then they had g0ne-3Irs. FaI-
cOner and Georgy, hanging desperately
to him who was dearest of the whole
world to them.
Sir George TTagstaf turned to the
others with an air of unaffected pride.
There's the true EngHshman.' he
said
And there'u be manifestations
sands, like him-the flower of our coun-
try, who won't come back" Ethel said
slowly. "0h, it's too terribIer' 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.
II must 20 at once to the var Office, .