The Ocala evening star., 1921-06-25
PROVING 1T
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.

g 6y Mcclure Newspaper SyEdicAtsl
Jack was not q timid man; there
was nothing cowardly about him. In
deed, he was considered brave by his
associates, though they sometimes
thought he liked TO boast of his cour.
age.
Nothing can scare Jack" they were
In the habit Of saying.
With squared shoulders and head
erect JACK would accept the eompli-
ment. NJ. he was not afraid Of any.
thirg.
They say there are ghosts in the
woods back of the camp" Peter Banks
said 70 him one day.
Ghosts? There's no such thing as
ghostsl' retorted Jack.
Just you try going up to a ghost
and feeling Of lit" challenged the
other.
Give me a chance and I'll do it"
invited Jack
Il dare you 10 60 into those woods
tonight at midnightl' cried Peter.
Il accept your challenge" calmly
replied Jack. 81 only ask that you 20
With me 10 prove that / am not
afraid"
'Me7 Not on your lifeI
About midnight Jack could stand II
no longer. He left the camp and
started out toward the wood. He
passed the morgue without a thought.
He had often passed II at night. He
walked along boldly. head erect. and
wisheG the fellows could see him now
and note how brave he was.
: He wandered far into the wood. a
little farther than he had intended TO
go. 1t was quite dark. Even the
stars were obscured from sight. All
was still.
Suddenly, without a word. a white
figure appeared. not many yards away.
how near. Jack never could tell. He
could not make out the forin-indeed.
he did not try. II seemed a swaying
mass I'm white. Then another arose
out of the darkness and they appeared
to float toward him.
For about three seconds Jack stood
still. Every nerve quivered. He could
not think. All sense seemed to have
left him and all power of thought.
Then, forgetting bravery. with not
thought of courage, Jack turned and
ran frantically back to the road, not
once looking behind. 1t seemed to
him that a host Of demons was pur-
suing him.
"Hellol What's upT" called a voice
in his ear, and a mocking laugh
sounded.
Jack pulled up quick and stared.
He quivered. but his senses were com
ing back to him. There stood Peter
in the middle of the road, grin on
his face
"Saw 'em. did you?" he asked. Did
you feel 'em?"
Jack was trembling. not at all on
his dignity.
"D' you believe in ghosts, nOw?'
/ sneerc;i Peter. Didn't run-Oh no !
| Where's all your boasted bravery
now? Feel of 'em, did your
"Don't joke" groaned Jack. Did
you see EN-? Where were you?"
"See, EN-? No. Didn't tell you i
wouldn't go into those woods at
night? l amt making no boast of
| bravery. I kept safe distance.
stood right here to see you run. II
was good fun, / tell you, TO see the
scare in your eyes"
"But-really-" began Jack, "say, II
did look like ghosts. never saw
anything so much like 'em. Do you
believe In them, trulyf'
"Sure ] do. and / know you would
come to II, II only you had the test
| and could once see EN-"
Jack was painting, trying TO regain
calmness, not willing to give in.
They heard voices and listened.
There's nothing like being In the
woods at this time of night. II is
most wonderful Ii takes my mind
from those dreadful hospital scenes
that we have To endure. 1t gives Inc
nerve and courage to go back to my
work"
| YES" replied another voice. These
nightly walks in the free woods give
me courage and strength. There's
nothing like contact with nature 70
make one brave to meet the hard
duties OF life"
Two night n1rses passed them and
entered the front door of the hos
! nital, just across the way. They
were dressed in white, flowing gar
ments.
The two men standing there looked
into each others faces and laughed.
"Give up?" asked Jack do you
say there are ghosts nowT"
"Yes, give up" answered Peter.
"Say, was this a put-up job, Petei
Did you know about those nurses and
their nightly walksT'
"'Pon my word. not i. not a word -
affirmed Peter. 81 honestly thought
there were ghosts. and thought you'd
| find IL out. That's why / came out
here to see you scared, but wouldn't
have gone into those woods on YOU
life. Do you give up and confess you
were afraid for onceT'
"Yes, / give in to the accusation,
nobly acknowledged Jack. II confess
my knees did shake and didn't know
what / was about. Guess / won
boast any more. But I've learned one
thing. There's more than one way tS
be brave, and more than one reason
for being brave. too. I've Dragged o1
bravery simply for effect, theIgh
don't believe / ever IL: fear before
Now those nurses are learning TO bs
brave for the good they can do In
the ~'Orld. and the help they can givs
10 others. That's the kind of h=ayer!
that counts, and that's the kind fol