Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1919-04-11


sword.
There was no gnawing disquiet in
Carter Corwin's breast. He was an
American. And whatever he was
called upon to do, he would do--cheer.
fully, eagerly-not sullenly, as though
he were making a sacrifice, but with
the conviction that he had been en-.
dowed with rare privilege.
He looked at his watch, found he
had been dreaming for fifteen minutes
and entered the bank building
where, an instant later, he was sit.
ting at a leather covered mahogany
table in President Gary Miller's pri.
vate Office, grinning, his face flushed.
a proud light in his eyes.
CHAPTER II
.CORwIN liked Gary Miller. Miller
~ was big and loud.voiced, with a
bluff, hearty manner and a ready
smile. Corwin likewise believed in Mil
Ter. Perhaps that was because he had
never had any direct dealings with the
man.. For some Of Falltown's citizens
could have acquainted Corwin with
incidents which reflected very little
credit on Miller's business instincts
and ability. Those persons might also
have called Corwin's attention to Mil
ler's egotism. But as several of those
persons who might have given Cor
win that information were members
Of the board of directors of the Mer-
chants Bank, they did not think 1t
wise to disseminate the burden Of
their convictions. For Miller certainly
did attract depositors.
For several seconds following Cor.
wins entrance, Miller watched him
with genial smile.
WELL" said Corwin; at is war"
Miller ceased smiling and settled
back into his chair He wrinkled his
forehead, squinted his eyes and pursed
his lips. If he struck a knotted fist
against the lips he might have re-
sembled Robins famous thinker.
He would have presented a gross car.
feature, positive libel upon the mas
ter's creation, but it would have been
the nearest counterfeit of thinking
posture Miller could have assumed.
But Miller's wrinkled brows and
thoughtful eyes had impressed many
of Falltowns citizens. They i'm.
pressed Corwin; and when Miller
turned and fixed Corwin with a pene-
trating gaze, granting Hin, through
his pursed lips, chill came over the
young mans enthusiasm.
Speaking in strictly confidential
manner. Corwin," said Miller, heavily;
81 think it is a mistake-a monstrous
blunder. The President is catering to
the lingo element in this country.
Why in thunder do we want to inter.
fere in the affairs of Europe, eh?"
"The Kaiser's dream of World"
"Bosh!" laughed Miller, heartily;
'buncombe! You've been listening to
the lingo orators. Let Europe work
out its own salvation. Why should
we squander our resources and
slaughter the youth of our land to pull
England's chestnuts out of the fret"
THE Lusitania-" began Corwin.
"Regrettable, but a mere incident of
war;" declared Miller. Those things
will happen. Germany must pay for
that, of course-and will. no doubt.
She has already sent her regrets.
However, that incident of itself does
not provide basis for war. This coun-
.ry is becoming too idealistic!"
Corwin wondered il what Miller said
we're true. Corwin, like millions Of
MS fellow Americans, had been con.
.ent to trust the President. His own
and hazy opinions had not
seemed to get him anywhere. He was
lot a statesman, diplomatist or a
politician; and he had no knowledge
If the inner workings of the machinery
If government.
Miller's patronizing smile nettled
lim-made him feel Insignificant, ig- |
lorant. Miller's position, bringing him !
nto contact with men Of large affairs, |
undoubtedly gave him an opportunity |
o learn things that the average cjtl- |
zen did not even dream of.
llS saw tOltIdul Sledui III MlllGT |
.yes-it was as though Miller was
that Corwin could not be ex.
'ected to have definite opinions upon
o abstruse a subject. Corwin even
aw a CLINT of pity in the big mans
yes-a fatherly, benignant, humor.
us pity.
Corwin desired Miller's good opin.
on, and h~divined that to persist in
with the man would be
onsensical. And perhaps the coun-
ry was becoming too idealistic. Ger
ainly the country should not be
lunged into the appalling catastrophe
( war on foreign soil for merely SEN
mental reasons.
Corwin was convinced that he had
ielded too completely to the spell
Z patriotism which had held him in
IS clutch few minutes before enter.
ng Miller's office. He knew that
eally big men never permitted their
enthusiasm to rule them-stern re-
ression, dignity and much delibera-
on were the mental weapons with