Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-12-11

tate, he concluded his confession
with words that startled me:
You called ME soldier boy, Jim.
Fine soldier | am! Now listen to
me- you asked if | was watching
TO see If my number got called. You
bet l was. And what do you think
| was going to do if it did? | was
going to light out where they
couldn't find me. That's the kind
of rotten American | am"
Quit that, Neal!" Jim's voice
commanded. You're hysterical
now. You want to lash yourself
with your own scorn. You would
never have done a dirty trick like
that. Now, why don't you prove it
to yourself by not waiting until
you're called?"
You mean-volunteer?"
Il mean ask for immediate induc-
ton"
Now? Right away" asked Neal.
l could see him shrink.
AT once" replied Jim in a mat
ter of-fact voice. Not to prove
anything to Anne and me, for we
know that you have never been a
Stacker in your soul-but to prove
to yourself that you aren't hiding
behind even your chance of delayed
call. To prove to yourself that
you're man.
Meals face went white. With
that whiteness staring and dancing
before my eyes, l got up to answer
the summons of the telephone a
moment later. 1t was EVVy-asking
for Neal
He cannot come TO the phone"
l said firmly. This is his sister.
Please give me the message
Curtly the answer came: You
might remind him that gentlemen
Keep their dinner engagements.
Good-by."
Evidently that concluded the con-
cluded the conversation, so l put the
receiver back on its hook - and
turned to Neal.
Was that Evelyn Mason?" he
cried hefore l could speak.
Yes" l said duly.
Then, before our astonished eyes,
Neal rushed to the phone and called
Envy. Actually, at a moment like
this, he could turn to her.
Miss Mason" he asked after a
moment of waiting. "Evelyn-this
is Neal Hyland. I'm ashamed to
death-but | clean forgot. We've
had sickness in the family. l hope
| haven't put you out. I'll do any
thing in my power to make up. No
can't come over tonight. I've got
the biggest job of my life on Sorry,
I'll explain another time"
Slowly he crossed the room
Evelyn and his offense. of her for
gotten. lie came TO the table and
stood in silence for a moment-his
fingers tracing idle patterns with Il
fork he had picked up.
Then he oughed-thrust his head
forward aggressively, and turned to
jim, but even as he turned his face
to my husband. he took a little step
that brought him close to me and
laid his hand timidly on my sleeve.
Jim" he said. about jumping in
before they call me. I've got a head
for figures, and / hear there's lot
of need for heavy artillery. Is there
any one in Washington you'd give
me letter to? I'd likc~to go over
tomorrow and ask for my induction
papers. If you'd be willing to vouch
for me-you see. what really stop
ped me from being Stacker is liv-
ing with real soldier-like YOU
Jim got to his feet and his voice
was as reverent as Il prayer
God bless you. lad, | knew you
were real man. The artillery is Il
wonderful service - and they are
taking them across pretty fast"
/ His eyes asked question. Neal
answered it.
! Il know. l thought l could get
ready pretty quickly there, because
/ it comes so natural for me to fig
ure."
I caught his hand TO my lips and
! as | held it there l could feel my
( tears trickling down to moisten it.
/ My little brother was a man-and a
soldier. 1t was mine to give him
/ to my country. But it was Jim who
had done the big thing.
( lie had given Neal the courage
! that made him a man.
| Ito he ContinueI.)