The Irish standard., 1920-04-10
CHAPTER ~.

the journey from New York should
have taken about six hours; as mat
ter Of fact, it took seven. and yet to
Hilliard, who hadn't once left the OBJ
servation platform. it was accom-.
plished with the speed Of projectile.
The dramatic value of his purpose had
seized him. and partly on this account,
and partly because he was going home.
he was temporarily relieved Of percep-
tive Judgment, whether Of time. space.
or,attendant circumstances.
"Now, whatever else you do. son"
Harmon had adjured him. ''stick to
the story! First. last. and always
you stick to the storyl It's your own
business, in way; and in another
way. it's my business; but you keep
your head clear and don't let anybody
shake you on the facts, and we're both
ali right. OF course. you're starting
out BY lying-but its . good lie.
You're justified. Az far's the rest Of
the worlds concerned. you're q new
man. You're just born. Well, you've
got . perfect right to be whatever you
want to be. Nobody can prove you
aren't what you say you are. Just
remember these three things: One,
capitalize your experience. and al 'em
full Of war-talk-theyn love It: two.
capitalize your position. and stick to
your story-they'll swallow It whole,
and never dream Of the answer |;
three, capitalize your face. and smile,
man. smilei" Here he had planted
his hand between billiards. shoulder
blades with a thump which was meant
to be fraternal and heartening. "And
we'll both make good until the cows
come home-and I think hear 'em
coming. Don't forget-they can't stop
you'll It's your second shot at life. and
you've got the cards stacked the way
you want 'em."
'The only thing" billiard had said.
''is the the storyi"
Oh it, Hilliard. what's the mat
ter with youi Aren't you justifed7"
"Y-e-e-s, but so much Of 1t sounds
unnecessary to me-every now and
then. wish we could have thought
up something else, that's ALL"
"Well, did wer
mo, but"
''Then don't be a rank quitteri Il
was your own idea; and say it's
darned clever; stand up to It. You
will. won't your
''Oh. III do that. Mr.. Harmon I've
got to-"
"Yes, you've got to. And Just keep
smiling. son; that's all. That's what
I hired you for-start OF smiling, and
the battles half won already. !.
That's I'll Keep your nerve, son!
Good-by!" And here he had
staggered Hilliard by another friendly
buffet between the shoulder blades.
and swung him cordially into the run.
way, and disappeared.
On the observation platform, Hill
lizard had ensconced himself behind O
newspaper and cigar. and tried to
hold his emotions and Ills imagination
In check. His purpose, now that 1t was
crystallized. brought him no aftermath
Of shame for what he was about to do
-he was conscience-stricken only In
respect to What he had done already.
long ago; and his nervousness was due
merely to his fear that he might fail
In his purpose.
After all, what was there to dis.
courage him7 He had worked ont a
system Of campaign as clear, as defin-
ite, and as inexorable as any field
marshal could ever hope to devise
and perfect. He was simply bringing
home one vital principle Of trench
hghting-to rely ON indirect fire. That
was ito fight! To fight for reputa-
tion lost, and to defend his new advan.
tage gained. The end would amply
Justify the means; or II the end b,
any chance proved to be disastrous.
why, there was another principle he
must remember quarter given OF
asked for.
sI'll teach ZEN" )" he said unsmflineiy
to the blurred landscape. ~rT show
'em whether I can make good or not
nmeI Timet That's all I want
timer
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