The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-09-29
CHAPTER IV-contInusd.

"You really ought to see the play.
Sir George" the irrepressible Guy re-
marked. He was always ready to
back up Georgy in any deviltry she
might embark upon.
"Yes! 1t deals with our next war;"
that young lady added.
"As If a playwright knew anything
OF thatr her father scoffed.
"It's horribly insulting to US Brit
ons," Mrs. Falconer remarked.
"Drives in a lot Of home truths and
gives us English a fearful raggingp
Guy added cheerfully.
Sir George looked at him somewhat
suspiciously.
"WhO wrote IT? Bernard Shaw 2"
he inquired And there was much re-
proof In his tone. To him, Shaw was
like a red rag to bull.
"I don't know who wrote IT,"
Georgy said carelessly. 81 never can
remember the beasts Names"
at seemed to me to present a very
striking picture of what may very
likely happen" Henry Streetman in
terpOsed.
Mrs. Falconer turned to him in as
tonishment She did not think that
anyone in his senses could have taken
that silly play seriously.
You don't mean you really believe
there is going to be war right over
there on the continent?" she exclaimed.
81 do, rather! And fancy Sir
George agrees with NEEDN'T you,
Sir George?" the willy Streetman ven
tured. He was determined that II he
did not succeed in forcing Sir Georges
aand he would at least give him a
run for his money.
Sir George looked bored.
"Really, sir, | should prefer not to
discuss that matter" he said once
more.
Georgy laughed gayly.
when father puts on his mantle
of dignity like that, 1t means serious
business" she observed. And there
was a deal of truth in her statement,
frivolous as she seemed. But Georgy
was no fool. She had not lived with
her father close upon eighteen years
for nothing. She knew unerFingly
how to interpret his every manner.
But why should there be war, even
5f an Austrian duke did get killed by
some Serbian or other" Mrs. Fal-
coner asked. "Of course I've only
seen the headlines" she fastened to
add, to dlsclaim any such plebeian
pastime as the reading of newspapers.
"Behlnd that assassination there Is
much of International politics and d.
plOmacy," Sir George explained. "In
fact, it's rather a long story"
Then, father. don't tell It'll" his sar
castle daughter bantered. Her plea,
however, was entirely superhuous. Sir
George had not the slightest intention
of committing such an indiscretion.
But Guy Falconer was ready enough
to air his opinions.
"Oh, it's not just Austria and Ser
bia !" he said confidently. "The trouble
is that Germany is patttng Austria on
the back, and whispering, Don't give
in, old ladyP And Russia is saying,
Serbia, old girl, you're dead right
Wen back you And there you areg
"Georgy-you're not having any
tea" Ethel observed.
"Oh! | don't want any. If did,
I'd ask for it," Miss Wagstafr said.
"Tea, mother?" Guy inquired Of his
doting parent. Their discussion of
the subject uppermost in the minds of
all had driven even the important mat
ter of tea completely out of his mind.
"None for me, thanks!' Mrs. Fal-
coner replied. "I've quite outgrown
it--ever since l came back from the
States" The others looked aghast at
her astounding confession. To thor
oughgoing Britishers such a remark
borders close upon lese majestic.
And tben Brewster announced an
other caller.
"Mr. Charles Brown" he pronounced
in bis best manner--a somewhat su-
perduous statement perhaps, because
all of Brewster's manners were of the |
best.