The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-01-31
"NUMBER ONE"
BY ALICIA CHALLONER.
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\ culprit, fair enough to be irresis-
ti5le to the most hardened anchorite,
pleaded with dewy eyes and soulful
face. They stood at the gate Of the
home of Winifred Sumter. There had
been Il tennis party and somehow Al
bion Ward had fingered ard Winifred
had encouraged him.
Al through the afternoon she had
devoted herself to his company. She
had done 50 purposely. To this man
she felt that she and her family owed
more than they could repay. Albion
Ward never dreamed that they were
aware Of facts i'll the career of Ned
Sumter, brother and son, which he
supposed to be buried secret between
Ned and himself.
Those two had been college chums.
Ned Sumter had got into Il scrape that
meant not only expulsion ut the most
critical iuncturc of his college career,
but public disgrace. Albion Ward had
stepped into the breach. lie had
money and he spent il lavishiy to clear
Ned. He took the blame Ned should
have suffered.
You will stay quiescent," declared
Albion in his impressive but determined
way, cor I'll wreck the future of half
the class, by duplicating all who were
mixed up in the miserable horse play
business of blowing up the founders
monument on the campus. What are
graduating honors to me? I'm bro
ken, worthless fellow, Il wreck from
drink and will be worse as time goes
on. It's born in me and can't resist
it. Take the lesson this ugly cscapade
has taught you, Ned, and keep to the
road called Straight after this"
What Winifred Sumter limited at
was no fiction. YoI2g, brilliant, the
favorite and heir Of an indulgent uncle,
a curse rested over him as it had over
his father before him. He vas no s0t,
but no restrictions could prevent him
from getting liquor when one of his
drinking spells was on him.
II had come about that Ned had in
sisted upon his going home with him
one vacation. Those We're two weeks
to be remembered. For the first time
in his life Albion Ward felt the sway OF
spirit so pure. so gentle, so friendly,
nay, more, loving, that he seemed
transplantcd into Il new sphere. Then
one night in neighboring town great
storm came up. The village tavern Of
fered its hospitality and its temptation.
Shutting himself up in a room all by
himself and wen supplied with the
fiery liquid, he, Albion Ward, for
whole week was lost to friends.
Tn not fit to even look at your sis
Ger, much less impose my wretched So
Getty upon her" declared Albion sui
lenly, 10 Winifreds brother.
"At least say goodby to her" ap-
pealed Ned. she knows Of your fall
from grace, as others do, but she is
full of sorrow, more than that, pity
for you. Old friend, can't you brace
up for her Sake?" SO Albion consented
to bid adieu to Winifred, and it was
as his brief call was ended that she
placed trembling hand on his arm
with the words:
"YOu won't feel offended, Or-Or
scoh me, will you, Mr. Ward?" and he
had bowed his head and clenched his
hands hard to endure the shame he
experienced.
Miss Sumter" he said huskily, 81
am unworthy of your interest. If L
ever do anything worth while it will
be through the memory of this holy
hour. You must not think of me. II
/ will try to OvercOme-go0dby,"
lie was gone and the next day Wini-
fred sank like stricken dove when
hcr brother entered her presence with
the exciting intelligence:
Ward is No. /. He was the first
to sign the honor roll of volunteers
and don't cry or worry, mother, Wini-
fred, for he showed me my duty and
/ joined. too"
And q few months later, in a lonely
! spot at the front in far away France,
/ No. ! and No. > crouchcd in a cave
! like indentation of Il high hill as deaf
/ ening crash was followed by shower
I Oh SlllIitIeu IOCk anu CdTlu uEOuilu
/ them.
! They had been chosen to undertake
/ a secret important mission.
/ Just approaching a part of the rug
/ ged ledge along which they had crept
! foot by foot, suddenly from the plain
/ below where a great field piece was
/ operated by the enemy, shell came
! HURTING towards them. 1t landed SO
close that the rock splinters penetrated
their uniform in a dozen places. Ned
was partially stunned, Albion dragged
! him into the Cave-like shelter. There
/ came Il second she'll 1t landed direct
! ly at the entrance to their retreat.
Don't waste time" directed Albion il
/ feveriSh haste. "They have the range.
| You can make the fifty yards in safety
! between the shells. Run for your life
when l give the word"
Bewildered, as he was dragged from
cover protesting, as his comrade gave
him vigorous push one way and him
| self darted the other, Ned groaned
as a kissing shell struck the face Of
! the rock and great blast Obliterated
! No. ! amid the heaping debris.