Alma record., 1917-07-12

"Oh, have friends who have been
there"
II suppose they wouldn't take you
in the army"
"Why notf"
In the first place. you're lame: be-
Sldcs, you don't look very strong. And
all the soldiers I've seen are rather
: large men
II don't fancy" said the little man.
that IL | We're to present myself for
enlistment as | am today | would be
accepted. | couldn't even be private
In the rear ranks. Funny, isn't it?'
Gladys did not see anything funny
about Il. but she refrained from saying
SO.
II wonder" she said instead, what
Is keeping General Herbert? Father
said he had special appointment"
II wish for your sake" said the little
man. that General Herbert had come
instead Of your humble servant"
IL don't"
"Why?"
How do you suppose girl like me
could entertain him.
The little man laughed
What amuscs your" asked Gladys.
THAT you should suppose that man
Is great big noble creature covered
with glory simply because he is a gen
eral. How many generals regulations
have lasted as long as that OF Alexan-
der Pope. the poet. who had miser
able body and never well day."
Papa contends" said Gladys
thoughtfully. that persons admire
their opposites That evidently isn't
true In your case"
II don't deny that l would prefer a
more imposing stature"
II don't mean that at all. What do
mean is that you, delicate. sickly
man. don't seem TO set any great store
by bravery"
There are different kinds of brav-
cry. Moral bravery is always admira-
ble. Physical bravery is as liable 10 be
found In n savage as in the most civi.
lizcd man. That IL Is akin 10 the cOur
age OF a beast Is evidenced by the fact
that most men when they go into
fight arc frightened out OF their senses.
When they get into it their brutal ma
ture comes 10 the surface and they
fight like brutes"
How do you know how men feel
when they 90 into battle?"
The little man showed bit of con.
fusion an tile question. hui WAS equal
TO the occasion. He said that he hal
read great deal about soldiers
so have l." the girI reiorted When
| read about Il battle always wish
were mau ana were in IT,
Il once read 4 description Of bat
tie written by a man WHO had JUS,
come out Of it. He was writing at the
field hospital whore ihe surgeons were
at work Ills battle pictures made ne
glad that wasn't IN IT,"
"Oh. 7 suppose If ono IS not
She got no further Hearing the
satc clase. She looked around ana saw
hrr father lurying " the walk. on
reaching the ycianda he said.
II am sorry. general 10 have Kept
you waiting Tor me- But see that my
little sirl has taken good care of you"
Your little gin has knock me out
at tennis.
What. Tennis? with that wound
~ yours? Gladys. what in the world
did you permit General Herbert tc
play tennis FOR: You have endangered
his life"
Meanwhile Gladys stood mute with
aston shment. 10 say nothing Of con
fusion. II is said that al the scenes OF
mans life are rushed before his eyes
when he Is drowning Certain 1t is thar
everything GLADYS had said 10 General
Herbert came ZIP 10 mock her. He
came to her rescue.
"Oh, Miss Gladys didn't know that
TaS even soldier. She has an exag-
geratcd view OF what general should
De ana what many of them are, l am
sorry 10 say-an old fool too old 10
fight ana too stupid To show others
how TO fight. But we have been get.
ting rid OF those fellows Oh the other
side. and nearly al our generals are
now good men. As for me. have new
or yet had a general command, and
In, not in hurry 10 get one A bri
gadc is all I'll get. anyway"
Gladys retired, leaving her fathers
guest 10 instruct him with regard 10
the necessities Of the Canadian troops
at the seat OF war. by dinner time she
had recovered from her embarrass
ment, and General Herbert had become
in her eyes a greater man than IL hc
had appeared IA six footer bootrh
and spurred. covered with decora tion>
and swinging big sword.
So long as Mr. Oldershaw was pres
ent Gladys was tongue tied But afler
dinner the father found IL neccs>ar'
TO attend TO certain matters that Gale.
him 10 his study. This left the gen
eral and Gladys alone and she CAM
out from her shell
General Herbert has since rejoinpd
the army and left bride in Canada
nee Gladys Oldershaw