The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-09-29

WARP" she said with a catch in her
voice.
"Why, of course am, motherw
"0f course he is!' Georgy Wagstaff
repeated after him.
"But, Guy-you said you wouldn't
fight" his mother reminded him trem-
ulously. Her feelings had undergone
sudden change.
81 know" he said, putting his hand
upon hers soothingly. "But that was
when I didn't believe there would be
war. And now that it's come, l
couldn't stay home. couldn'tw
'That's the spirit, my boyw Sir
George told him with a renewed trust
in British manhood,
"But, Guy-you mustn't! couldn't
let you gov' she told him brokenly.
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 a
coward?"
"But, my boy, you're all I've got in
the world! You're the only thing I've
leftw And then she took kim in her
arms and sobbed. To her had come
only little more quickly than to
other English mothers the remuneration
that war demands of lowly and high
alike.
Don't cry, mother, please-don't"
Guy said gently. "You know I've got
to go. I'll come back all right"
"0f 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 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.
"Will you Feally?" he asked. "You
hear that, mother? Why, that alone is
worth going to the front for-and I'll
get a V. G. and be hero and we'll live
happily ever after"
OF such is the rosy optimism Of
youth.
Georgy Wagstaft 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 a new light now-saw and
recognized the sacrifices they had In
evitably to make In lifes battles, since
the beginning Of time.
"Come on, mother" he said gravely.
"Take me to the barracks"
"My son, I'm proud of your she
half whispered, as she looked up at
him through her tears.
$50 am I!' added Georgy Wagstaff.
She had acquired all at once a new
sense of proprietorship in Guy. "You'll
write me?" she asked him.
Every dayv' he promised eagerly.
"And you-you will be 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. Fall
coner and 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 EnglishmanF he
said.
"And there'll be manifestations
sands, like him-the flower of our coun-
try, who won't come back" Ethel said
slowly. "0h, It's too terriblew The
little tragedy had touched her to the
quick. Beside 1t her own troubles
seemed momentarily dwarfed.
Eyes, It is terrible" Sir George
agreed. He had no illusions as to
what war meant for England.
II must go at once to the war Office"
Captain Redmond announced hurried
~. And he shook hands with Miss VIII
loughby. "Good-by. Ethelr' he said In
a tone that was far more sober than
was customary for him.
81 must return to the admiralty"
Sir George said. Coming. Redmondr'
as he moved toward the door.
Larry had already started to join
him when Ethel called him back.
Larry, before you 60. may / have
Just FIVE minutes with you-alone?"
"0f courser' he assented. you'll
forgive me, Sir GeorgeT
"Surelyl See you again. Redmondr
And with that Georges father left
them-alone.
Larry, when will you go to the
front?" Ethel asked In a tense voice.
he set his cap and stick upon stool
before answering her.
II don't know" he said. am afraid
shan't be in the thick of the fight"
You mean they won't send your
81 fear not, my dear They'll want
me-they've often said so-for some
thing they call more important than
being shot at. They'll use me in the
special service-what you'd call a spy.
l 7 ,v.1ro-n tho,,-a, fss. - ,...a - -