Saint Mary's beacon., 1918-08-08
FREDERICA, PATRIOT
sy AoNEs 9. RRooAN.

"a - Nt~@FEs ~
SS<ss<yssss<<s<SSSsss
tcopyrisht. 1918. Western Newspaper unionj
The glri who opened the door, stood
for moment staring at the two uni
formed men who waited; the one wear
Ing the Costume Of an American army
officer. spoke FIRST.
II was directed hereg'' he said, "by
tbs 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 peopIsT'
The girl hesItated, then for answer.
turned inqulringly TO a bulky red-faced
man seated behind her In the sunny
kitchen dining room.
sulIeniy he arose and came toward
them. eTonlght.", he snid brusquely.
"uur house win be full"
~That ~ too bad" the officer pleas
antiy responded. eve are on our way
20 camp. travelling on tomorrow. A
foolish fIesire TO pass through my faith
er's village home. has brought Us out
Of cur way. You can recommend no
other lodging placef"
"None,r the man answered Rruffy.
But with a sudden smile the fair
haired Riri threw wide the door. ~Come
In" she said decidedly. "you shall have
my room and viii sleep on the couch.
II win BE- quite convenient"
s'why.r she demanded Of her father
upon her return. "did you tell them
that the house was full. You and l
are alone"
-soldlersi" exclaimed the man in
bitter tone.
Soldiers Of my counsryr she re
peated eTnphaticaIiy. And after the
wheicaofne country supper. the young
officer came to the Riri out Ia the fra.
grant garden. II cannot tell. how
much ws appreciate your kIndnsss
he said. "An my people are gone.
There u not ono "a bid mo farewell or
wish me good courage. No Il was pc
cuiiar S$ncy that brought me here. be.
fore leaving 70 neht for my cauntry.
20 walk The snfae streets through
which my father passed wheH be Was
leaving fbr the Civil waFi And you.
are quite little patriot mlss--what
shall I call your"
The glri gave him her shy smile.
-FYederieg." she answered. sthat Ia
wTfat they MI chill me-
Tie Dtffcvf frOwDrd. aTuur father
seems pot 80 patriotic. one might a.
most believe hlpi 20 evcsse to soldiers" /"
The FiFfs iina Sightencd. eMy two
brutbsfs fgh, IA The German army
she said.
The oineer started. NOW he ques-
liopesl
Freaegaen nodded. Years ago. he
and my tucther left iheln there with
ihr a lpWvntN They we're little
boya. have never known thsns.~
The young officer studied the Tsft
cnripuviy. ~ n strange be mused.
'sAat yDu~--
4 am an American" nhe interrupted
fereely. ~ couid. I would do Tor my
cpnntry. NhEt my brothers are doing
for thsara. iiui n girl her hands fen
heiplessly, "can DO nothing
sNoihinRF" tho soldier was upon hla
feet. ''why y0a haye'Ktvea gne courage =
Good ulFht~ she whispered. aud
fled across the lawn.
Her eyrs were nvefsed. as shr served
the guests ln the morning their break.
fasta. and the bulky figure OF her faith
81 was absent
"Nc are very grateful 20 you. Miss
Ffeslariea." the ofiicer said. hls hand
eiasped her small rouEhened one. "Our
departing train VIII pass over the
switch ap there's at early twilight.
shall be looking down towaFd the VII
iaRe and bidding you q second good.by.
When victory IL ours, little patriot. I
shall come back again TO clasp hands
with you"
THOSE fighters goneT' her father
asked the Riri ht noon time. aud Fred
erica merely nodded as she placed the
food before him and his helper. Then
she went up 10 her own little room.
When she came down later. the house
was silent and long shadows stretched
across the grass.
"Her father could not he at home for
the evening meal" he had told her.
Frederies'a face looked worn and white
as she reached for her scarlet Sweater,
and went slowly out through the gar.
den. Al the turn Of the road she be-
gan 10 run. fleeing Eilll IKE a scarlet
bird on wing.
There at the railroad tracks. Fred
erica paused bending breathlessiy
above the rnlls. Then with sharp
cry of horror. she drew hack before a
tie spiked across the track. Even
now she could feel the distDnt rumble
Of the approaching heavy troop train /;
Frederick jumped 10 the rails. There
was no time to seek help. no time TO
lose. After oil. whnt was one girls
life. 20 the lives of her countrynen 20.
Ing 10 battle. II she could but save
the troops by any sacrifice, how won
derful II would be.
Half laughing. half crying. rrederica
snatched on her scarlet sweater, wnv-
Ing II steadily above her head. The
train was already In sight. On It cnme.
She heard the whistles shrek before
all grew black.
Shouting excitedly. trainmen and
khaki-clad soldiers leaped from the
train. frantically freight crew en-
deavored TO remove the murderous OBJ
struction. Then, with them all press
Ing about her, FrederIca opened her
vide blue eyes. II was very confusing
at first TO remember But comforting.
to find the ofiicer-soldler'a arms about
her, her head on his shoulder. lie was
evidently carrying her TO some place OF