South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-10


one afternoon. she directed her
tory school where her son was get
ting the proper education 20 enable
him 10 enter one OF the large east
ern colleges in his nineteenth year
OF course she was amazed when
one OF his teachers came out 20
speak TO her and told her that Jim
Junior had not reported that day.
He had left for school at the usual
hour. Never before had he failed TO
tell her his intentions She felt a
sudden keen stab OF pain, yet ap-
parently unmoved by the announce
ment, she bowed grlciOusly 10 the
old professor. murmuring, Il dare
say his father has asked him to
spend the day with him. Since the
war began. ] only see my family at
breakfast and late dinner"
As soon as she reached home. she
found that Jim Junior had not been
there during the day and no mes
sage had been sent 70 her. Almost
frantic over vague, alarming fears.
she telephoned TO her husband. His
secretary said that he had been out
Of the office all day. She felt a
quick, calming relief He had prob
ably taken Jim Junior off for a days
fishing. They had been discussing
such a trip for weeks.
Later as she sat quietly reading in
the luxuriously furnished side
porch, with its restful looking boxes
Of cool ferns and gayly blooming
flowers. she heard her husband and
young Sim coming in. Subdued
voices, then Jim Juniors voice in
shrill, excited laughter.
Come in, boys" she called
laughingly and wondered at the
strange silence that followed.
What's the natter" she asked.
1T isn't my birthday or any ami
versary. What sort Of a surprise
have you for me today" she turned
her head and there was a figure
framed in the doorway. 1t was Jim
Junior in khaki with the jaunty.
daredevil cap of an aviator cooked
on one side OF his curly brown
head. The room went black for one
awful minute, then she rallied and
smiled at him. He had borrowed the
suit, 10 be sure, She held out her
arms, in silence, not quite sure OF
her voice after her fright
81 told dad you'd be a good sport
and take it like the mother OF a sol
der Oh. / knew / could count on
you. mother" He was hugging her
and still laughing in the excited
manner Of a very little boy at
Christmas time. Dad and I have
been planning this surprise for
weeks"
The room was whirling. She closed
her eyes. holding the slim young
body that knelt beside her as if she
could never let him go. There was
a confused din in her ears. 1t was
as if she was hearing the bells OF
France pealing out the stories Of
hec sacrifice, Of some slain, OF
daughters ravished, of a beautiful
happy land laid waste, What were
they ringing to her across a storm
tossed sea? They were calling her
to common sisterhood. to take her
stand with the Spartan women of
the allies who have set an unprece-
denied example Of courage, the
smiling courage of heroic sacrifice
that thinks beyond the petty con
fines Of a home circle TO a whole
wide world made safe for all men,
courage that confidently believes It
is not all Of death TO die
Dad" came the voice Of her boy
again bringing her back 20 con-
sciousness. didn't I tell you how
wonderful mother would be, how
proud she would feel that I am go
ing out 20 fight-for herr" He was
patting her awkwardly. She kissed
his moist young mouth that trem-
bled on her own
She swallowed painfully hiding
her face for a minute on the khaki
clad shoulder Of young i'm. Then she
faced them. head up, eyes shining
with a light that can never fail.
My soldier" she whispered
proudly mothers dear little soldier
boy," And TO the older Jim watch
ing her. she has never been as
beautiful in her youth.
Dad said I had better tell YOU
when I enlisted but I wanted to
have a grand surprise for you, when
my suit was finished and I had my
orders 10 report TO camp. I'm off In
the morning" he said.
Mrs. James Gregory arrived at
Red Cross headquarters ahead OF
time the next day. She had seen !
young Jim off to camp and she had !
smiled 10 the very last. Only Jim |
Senior knew that she had sat by a |
window all through the long night, /
looking across a little courtyard 20 |
the south wing OF the house that |
held the young son OF her love.
She looked at the women grouped !
around the oil cloth covered tables. |
How beautiful their faces werel |
They were no longer strangers. She /
was more interested in them than /
she had ever been in any women in |
her life. She loved them and they /
felt it. They watched her con- |
stantly as she moved about the /
rooms. feeling somehow the sudden /
IS formed new bond that held their /
hearts together Every day they /
showed her letters and cards from 1
their sons, their husbands and their /
brothers and she laughed and cried /
with them over the stories OF laugh |
q an1 ~ fanrc Shot r-fa.7 \