Meade County news., 1918-06-06
FREDERICK, PATRIOT.
By AGNES G. BRoeAN.

formed men who waited; the one wear
ing the costume of an American army
officer, spoke first.
II was directed here" he said, "by
the station agent. He advised me
against the poor hospitality of your
hotel, and suggested that we might find
accommodation for the night at your
house. You do take people,"
The girl hesitated, then for answer,
turned inquirlngly to bulky red-faced
man seated behind her In the sunny
kitchen dining room.
Sullenly he arose and came toward
them. "Tonlght," he said brusquely,
"our honse will be full"
"That is too bad" the officer pleas
antly responded, 1--WE are on our way
to camp, travelling on tomorrow. A
foolish desire to pass through my faith
er's village home, has brought us out
Of our way. You can recommend no
other lodging placer"
"None," the man answered gruffly.
But with a sudden smile the fair
haired girl threw wide the door, "Come
In" she said decidedly, ''you shall have
my room, and will sleep on the couch.
1t will be quite convenient"
"Why," she demanded of her father
upon her return, did you tell them
that the house was full. You and
are alone"
SOLDIERS" !" exclaimed the man In
bitter tone.
SOLDIERS of my countryw she re-
peated emphatically. And after the
wholesome country supper, the young
officer came to the girl out In the fra
grant garden. II cannot tell, how
much we appreciate your kindness"
he said. "All my people are gone.
There is not one to bid me farewell or
wish me good courage. So 1t was pc
culiar fancy that brought me here, be-
fore leaving to fight for my country.
to walk the same streets through
which my father passed when he was
leaving for the Civil wnrl And you,
are quite little patriot miss-what
shall I call your"
The girl gave him her shy smile.
"FrederIca," she answered, "that lS
what they all call me-"
The officer frowned. "Your father
seems not so patriotic, one might al
most believe him to averse to soldiers"
The girls lips tightened. ,"My two
brothers fight In the German army"
? she said.
The officer started. "Now?" he ques-
toned.
Frederick nodded. "Years ago, he
! and my mother left them there with
] the grandparents. They were little
| boys. have never known them"
I The young officer studied the girl
curlously. ut Is strangei" he mused,
"that you"
, II am an American" she Interrupted
1 fiercely, "lf could, would do for my
A country, what my brothers are doing
!. for theirs. But girl" her hands fell
!. helplessly, "can do nothing"
7 "Nothlngw the soldier was upon his
= feet, "why you have'glyen me courage"
4 "GOod night" she whispered, aud
O fled across the lawn.
y Her eyes were averted, as she served
!. the guests In the morning their break
] fasts. and the bulky figure Of her faith
er was absent.
u "We are very grateful to you, Miss
Frederlca," the officer said, his hand
o clasped her small roughened one. "Our
departing train will pass over the
o switch up there, at early twilight. 1
Q shnll be looking down toward the vii
4 lage and bidding you second gO0d-by.
: When victory is ours, little patriot, I
, shall come back again to clasp hands
with you"
4 "Those fighters gomez" her father
asked the girl at noon time, and Fred
!. erica merely nodded as she placed the
. food before him and his helper. Then
, she went up to her own little room.
When she came down later, the house
g was silent and long shadows stretched
'. across the grass.
b. "Her father could not be at home for
n the evening meal" he had told her.
Frederica's face looked worn and white
as she reached for her scarlet sweater,
:. and went slowly out through the gar
. den. At the turn of the road she be-
= = gan to run, fleeing still, like a scarlet
. bird on wing.
a There at the railroad tracks, Fred
y erica paused bending breathlessly
= above the rails. Then with sharp
. cry Of horror, she drew back before a
q tie spiked across the track. Even
" now she could feel the distant rumble
Of the approaching heavy troop train I;
: Frederick jumped to the rails. There
" was no time to seek help, no time to
'e lose. After all, what was one girls
:. life, to the lives Of her countrymen go
: ing to battle. If she could but save
y the troops by any sacrifice, how won
u derful 1t would be.
T. Half laughing, hnlf crying, Frederick
70 snntched off her scarlet sweater, wav-
Ing 1t steadily above her head. The
train was already In sight. On 1t came.
AZ She heard the whistles shriek before
10 all grew black.
Shouting excitedly. trainmen and
n. khald-clad soldiers leaped from the