, 1918-07-18

frightened. Across memory's page
was coming a long-forgotten incident.
The one time when she had really adj
mired the lad and forgot his much-be-
freckled countenance. She turned ami
matedly to her brother. anxious to tell
him Of this n worthwhile thing Bert
had done in her presence.
"Rob, Bert did have a brave nature,
even though perhaps we didn't realize
it at the time. I remember one beauti-
full summer day, when he and I were
going home from school together. We
were crossing a swampy field over a
narrow path. Suddenly a nasty, little
green snake reared its head just ahead
Of me in the path. Mortified, / squealed
my loudest. Bert, who was chasing a
butterfly just in back of me. hurried
near to see what the trouble I
suggested that we step aside and let
the reptile go its way, but Bert en-
%phatically said no, the younger chill
dren were coming just behind us and
they, too, would ONE across the snake.
Though 1 demonstrated, boldly he took
heavy stones and crushed the menac-
ing creature before the other children
came along"
She paused reminiscently, and then,
as If some sudden understanding had
taken possession of her, her eyes wild
ened and a new light came into their
dark depths.
"Oh Rob, I never thought about 1t in
that light before, but what Bert did
that day was what he tried to do when
he enlisted, wasn't it? It's just what
all the soldier boys are trying to do
make this world safer for those who
come after. I see 1t all now. Oh what
a selfish creature I've beenl oh Rob,
IL"
Sobbing, she turned shamed eyes to
her brother, and he, boyishly caught
her against his shoulder and patted her
tousled head comfortingly. After she
had quieted down a bit he arranged
the chair pillows about her in a some
what embarrassed fashion, and then
stood before her eager eyes, asking the
question which his parted lips were
shyly refusing to do.
Myra sensed the situation immedi-
ately, as she looked up into his face.
She sighed q bit woefully, but there
was real bravery in her voice as she
said wistfully:
81 know what you m aching to ask
Rob, seeing that I have been the OBJ.
jector until now"
Until now-does that mean tina,
you consent, Sis?"
She nodded, though 1t cost her @
brave effort.
Rob. Uncle Sam needs every young
man, and-and Bert's place In the
ranks is empty"
'sThank you, Sis, he does need us
every one, and I've wanted so much tt
answer the call. I know mothern be
glad"
An hour later, when Mrs. Crane en-
tered the house, smiling happily witt
the thought of a morning well spent, {
distinct odor of scorched potatoes
crept up her nose. Hurrying into tn
kitchen through the sitting room,
surprising sight met her eyes,.
Molly, supremely unconscious o
burnt potatoes, was busily superintend
ing the cutting out of a big red cross
while Myra's unframed fingers wer
clumsily following instructions. TIL
boy, whistling happily, was gathering
up the remains of tan silk, from whicl
the dainty sewing bag, hanging acros
the chair arm, had been cut.
At a glance the mother knew tina
something unusual had happened, an
burnt potatoes and everything els
were forgotten until she heard tn,
story of the casualty list and how l
had awakened the heart of her daugh
ter at last.
With her arms about her daughter
the mothers eyes looked over thu
bronze tresses and smiled bravely
proudly at her son, who was soon t.
be one of Uncle Sans soldier boys.