Catoctin clarion., 1917-09-13
mA A0
THE HOME GUARD =
n BY EARL REED sILvERs. -

NAAAAAAAhAAAV ~
When the Railway Home Guard was
organized Doris Brown was inclined to
be critical.
ut will never do me any good or
you, either" she told Pete Alberts, one
OF the high privates In the rear
ranks. II don't see why In the world
you wanted to join"
II didn't want to, exactly" Pete
hastened to assure her. "But felt
that the city needed protection.
"Humphl A lot Of protection you
could give US. What do you have to
dO?"
my especial duty is to guard the
approach over the East Milton avenue
BRIDGE" Pete explained with dignity
"As soon as q summons comes am to
seize my revolver, club, badge, flash.
light and whistle and beat 1t to the
bridge. Then am to refuse to let any
one enter the city until I receive Or
ders from police headquarters.
Doris smiled ever SO family.
"Why did they give you the Milton
avenue bridge?" she asked.
because it's only five minutes from
my house. And they probably knew
that l had an especial grudge against
someone living on the other side."
II suppose you mean JIM"
"You supposed right. Are you going
to let me come to see you tomorrow
night"
II can't; someone else is coming"
"Jim, I suppose"
"You supposed right" Doris smiled
mockingly.
When Pete went home that evening
he smiled happily. Something seemed
to tell him that he was going to see
Doris within twenty-four hours. To
be perfectly frank, Pete had received
inside information that the Home
Guard was to be called out the next
night, and plan had entered his mind
which argued i'll for Jim Stone.
The inside Information proved to be
correct, for at exactly 7:30 Of the eve
ming in question Pete received tele-
phone call to report at once at his
station. He seized his gun and other
paraphernalia and joyfully departed
upon his mission.
1t was q dark night and the bridge
was hidden In the shadows. For 70
minutes Pete sat upon the iron railing
waiting for someone to approach.
Finally his patience was rewarded.
Halt" he cried.
The approaching figure halted.
whats up?" he asked wOnderingly.
Tin a member of the home guard
and I've been instructed not to let any
one pass until receive further orders.
You'll have to 60 back"
The light of understanding came
suddenly to the challenged party.
"Oh, hello, Pete" he said. I'm
Jim Stone"
Il don't care If you're President Will
son. You can't pass" Pete said.
But you know me. I'm not q Ger
man spy or anything"
II didn't say you were. But I'm
police officer now, and orders are Or
ders."
You're crazy, Pete" he exclaimed,
irritably. "You're not supposed to hold
up people you know"
That's for me to say" Pete took
step forward. you'll have to 60 back
home" he announced.
But I've got an engagement, tell
you"
"Where2"
'That doesn't concern you at ALL"
Pete wondered for moment.
ut looks rather suspicious to me-"
he announced finally; "you want to go
into town but you won't tell me why"
IF tell you where I want to go
will you let me pass" he asked.
Pete shook his head.
Jim thought evil thoughts. Finally
he spoke again.
Are you still going on with this
farce?" he demanded.
"Yep."
II suppose I'll have to 90 back then7"
"Yes, guess you will"
Without word Jim Stone turned
uIOuHu uIlu lSlluNCu olNpo AAoh'S
ward. Pete breathed sigh Of relief.
He waited anxiously for ten minutes,
and then a figure appeared from the
direction of the town. 1t was the
squad sergeant.
"All right" he announced. "You kin
60 back now. Every member OF the
squad reported"
Pete ran all the way home, and when
he had recovered his breath he picked
up the telephone.
"Give me 1861" he said.
Doris answered his call.
NO." she announced, Jim hasn't
come, and it's nine o'clock. II you
hurry right over you may take his
place"
Peter hurried right over.
copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per 6yndicate)
Tore Holes In Roof.
A story Of hailstorm which swept