Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-08

her thin. reedy voice and with ma
liclous glance toward Mr.. Brent. that
Miss Kidlington was most successful
with her white feather campaign this
morning"
II disapprovc entirely OF sucll
methods" doomed Mr.. Pollock. "'li
man cannot or will not hear his
country's call he must either be able
TO give reasonable excuse TO his
friends or he prepared TO sacrifice
their esteem" He spoke with raised
voice and obvious intention. I'm
pertinent young women have no right
TO force such explanations by en-
ploying emblems OF cowardice."
81 have often wondered" plped
Miss Mrytle. how tho white feather
came by It's significance.
You had better ask Mr.. Brent"
replied Mr. Pollock grimly.
Molly. who was not so absorbed
with her conversation with Percy as
not to hear what was going on. gave
n low toned. reproachful Father!
Mr.. Pollock only grunted.
'Td tell you Ike n shot II ! could.
Miss Myrtle" said Brent politely
But | haven't the fogglcst idea. !
never was any good at history. but
have n vague notion that 1t Is con-
nected with the Black Prince. who
wore one In his helmet and said some
thing about his white plume shining.
What utter nonsense. Mr.. Brent.
replied the Myrtle. who had been a
governess In her day BLACK Prince
indeed or Henry OF Navarro for that
matter either. tho suppose It's ne
You are thinking OF. They were both
very brave men. II can have no con-
nection with them"
Don't think I'm sticking myself up
as nm authority" put In Mrs Lee
pleasantly, hut as matter Of fact I
think | can tell you. | came across the
explanation the other day."
Indeed" said Mr.. Pollock. all po-
illness
Yes. It dates from the time when
cock fighting was a fashionable sport.
a white feather Is never seen In n
pedigree game cock. Its presence in
dicates n bird Of haser breed"
Dear me. dear me-" said Mr.. Pol
lock. Most interesting. I'm sure"
And" continued Mrs. Lee. still
more sweetly. "even today you will
find that the cock with the most ar
rogant strut and loudest crow has gem
orally a white feather In its tail. o.
by the way. Mr.. Pollock, didn't you
get one this morning."
Get what" asked Mr.. Pollock Il
don't understand"
"A white feather"
"Mc. me-" Between toast and in
disnation Mr.. Pollock positively splut-
tered. Certainly not Even Miss
Kidlington has sufficient remnants OF
good taste left to respect my years
your years. Mr. Pollock" cried
Mrs. Lee. but why should she know
what they are? Nothing would be
easier than for you 10 conceal them"
You flatter me. I'm sure" said Mr..
Pollock. but looking far from pleased.
mo. no. not at ALL" persisted
Miriam. Il didn't mean 1t that way.
But heaps OF men with fine youth
ful constitution like yours have man
aged To mislay their birth certificates
in n spirit OF patriotic enthusiasm
Every one else had stopped talking
and was listening to this little alterca-
ton. conducted with such apparent po-
llteness. Molly's face was flushed I:
she did not know whether to be CRATE
full TO Mrs. Lee for diverting attention
from Chris or to be angry with her
for batting Mr.. Pollock. Her per-
sonal distrust OF Mrs Lee supplying
the balance. she decided on the latter
course.
MIR Pollock pulled himself together.
My dear Mrs. Lee" he began. there
is nobody. | assure you. nobody who
would offer himself to his country
more readily than | should IL II were
only possible. But unfortunately
have great responsibilities OF private
nature which even II. as you so kindly
imply, could pass for younger man
than | am. would not permit me to
we'll. to risk my life on the battle
fold"
You are prepared TO give me de-
tails ~ those responsibilities? per-
sisted Mrs. Lee.
My dear madam" began Mr.. Pol
lock. genuinely indignant
Don't think me impertinent." said
Miriam. u didn't expect you would
he able TO tell me. only just wanted
to bring home to you the fact that
there are quite number OF men Ne
sides Yourself who have responsible
ties which they cannot reveal to the