New Britain herald., 1916-02-03
Why Jack Said "No" When Madge
 Planned to Sec Him Sail.
, this is Bicke ett.

I1cllO tIIlS IS olChctt'
 As Jacks deep voice, With the trace of huskiness which was so familiar to me came over the wire I felt the hot tears sting my eyelids. This was per haps the last time in life I should ever hear the voice of the cousin who had been more than a brother to me. The knowledge of what his loss would mean to me was envelop1ng me like pail.
 "Oh, Jack" The words were more like a cry than a greeting.
 Margaret" I could hear his gasp of surprise. This is good Of 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 I heard him give a little sigh of relief. l could not quite fathom his reason for thinking me unwise to telephone him. I knew, however, that his objection was in some way part of his general plan to protect me from my possible anger of Dicky's by eliminating him self from my life.
 "I suppose you received my letter His calm voice steadied me. l felt as if I had been on, the verge Of ny steria.
 oh, yes, Jack, and I am so up- set and miserable over it. l cannot let you go over there. Why, you may never come back"
 Don't you ever think of it. Ills voice was gay, bantering, but Who had known his every tone and in fection since babyhood recognized the strain beneath the gayety It was ever Jacks way to think of him. self last.
 'I'll come back riding charger up Broadway, with a sword uplifted. and Victoria crosses and Legions of Honor spi1ling all over the place. I'll see that you get a front seat on the reviewing stand, and you can turn up your nose and say, I knew him when "
 Please, Jack don't jest about it." l was fighting hard to keep my voice from betraying the tears which threatened to choke me every in stant. 'It is awful your going this way. I feel so-'
 Listen, Margaret" Jacks voice held note of command. T know what's troubling your tender heart IIlOSJ dllu l Ill Solll5 eo lCli Soi IlitiI you're all wrong. You feel that you're to blame for my going, don't you?"
 since I read your letter. I stam- raered.
 T thought so. Well, let me tell you now that you had nothing to do with it. You ought to know me well
 +o tho ous unknown grips me- It's right in my blood. And my feelings have been intensely stirred by my friend,
 Jack Bravely Refuses.
 "Of course, Margaret" into his voice crept 8 tenderer note, 'I am not going to deny that if the hopes that I brought back with me had been fulfilled I should not have thought of going. But it would have been an inclination sacrificed for you The point l want you to get is this-if I had never known you I should be doing exactly what am going to do tomorrow"
 I did not know whether he were Iying to me or not, but I chose to be- lieve him. His words lifted the weight from my heart that had set tied when I first read his letter an nouncing his intention to join the engineering corps in France with his friend, Caillard.
 You are so good to tell me that, Jack" I said gratefully, but l must see you somehow, before you go."
 There was a long silence at the other end of the wire. knew 1nshnc- lively what it mean, Jack was fight ing a battle with himself. He wanted to see me before he left, out I knew as we'll as when he spoke that he would negative the proposi tion.
 NO. Margaret" I recognized the inf1exibility of his tone. You must not do that Frankly, l could not rear to see you with your husband, and you must not come to see me off without him."
 No Messages, Remember
 Why not?" I hotly rebelled against the decision, even though l knew Jack was right.
 Don't make it hard for me, little girl. You know why not. Come now, be a brave girl and tell me 'Good-by and good-luck.' "
 "I can't yet, Jack, I faltered Tell me. I am going to hear from you once in a While?'
 Tell me something" he countered. Gan you tell me truthfully that your husband would not object to my sending your letters?"
 No. I cannot" I admitted. But, ri ph