Evening journal., 1922-04-10

designs on the girl7" He would
have returned an impatient answer
had he not been so anxious on the
Perches' behalf. Instead he said
pleasantly, "Of course she's not, Mr..
Bright. Mrs. Perch Is very old
friend Of mine and a very simple
and kind old lady. Thore'n be only
herself for Efie TO meet. And she'll
make a daughter OF her"
Nothing OF the pentration abated
from the deep-set eyes. nor came
any expression Of thanks from he
stern, pursed mouth. "Tu take my
girl over and see for myself, Mr..
Sabre"
surly, stupid old mani However,
poor young Perchi Poor old Mrs.
Perchl The very thing. II only II
would come or.
II came OF. Sabre went up TO
Puncher's Farm on the evening OF
the day Mr.. Bright, ito see for him
self" had called with Efle Young
Perch greeted him delightedly in
the doorway and olasped his hand in
gratitude. IT'S all right. It's axed.
She's coming. I could see she took
to the girl from the start.
by Jove you can't think how
grateful 1 am TO you, Sabre"
CHAPTER V
This frightful wari On his brain
like a weight. On his heart like a
pressing hand.
Blowing about the streets. IN the
newspapers ana at meetings. in the
mouths OF many, and IN the eyes OF
most, was the new popular question.
why aren't you in fihald7" The
subject Of age. always shrouded in a
seemly and decorous modesty, was
suddenly ripped out OF its prudish
coverings.
That was in tho third month OF
the war. But by June, 1913, the
position on these little points had
hardened. In June. why aren't you
IN khak7" was blowing about the
streets Certain men avoided one
another. And IN June young Harold
Joined up. Sabre greeted the news
with very great warmth. "By Jove.
I'm glad. Well done. Harold. That's
splendid. Jolly good luck to you"
Later IN the morning Twyning
came IN. Iris air struck Sabre as
being deliberately aggressive. Wen,
Harold'e gone" he said.
Yes. I'm jolly glad for the boys
sake. was just congratuisting him.
I think It's splendid OF him"
Twyning hreathed heavily through
his nose. splendid. Hurt Wen.
he's gone now and hope you're
satisfied"
Sabre turned in his chair and ques-
toned Twyning with puckered brows
"satisned7 What on earth do you
mean-satisned2"
You always thought he ought to
go. Ny boy saw IT,"
You're talking nonsense. I've
never so much as mentioned the
subject 10 Harold"
Twyning always retracted whom
Sabre showed signs OF becoming
reused. "Ah, well, what does II
matter7 He's gone now. You wait
tn you've got son, then you1l
think differently. perhaps. You
don't know what my boy means TO
me. He's everything IN the world to
me. got him in here so as to
have him with me and now this
cursed wars taken him. You don't
know what he Is my boy Harold.
He's a better man than this father.
III tell you that. He's good
-. = 4
thought or said bad word"
Not very long after this incident
occurred another incident. In its
obvious aspect II was also related to
tho why aren't you In khaki7"
question; Sabre apprehended IN II
a different bearing.
One morning he stepped suddenly
from his own room into Mr.. For
tunes In quest OF reference.
Twyning and Mr.. Fortune were
seated together in deep conver-
sation. They were very often thus
seated. Sabre had noticed. At his
entry their conversation abruptly
ceased; and this also was not new.
Sabre went across 20 the filing
cabinet without speaking.
Mr.. Fortune cleared his throat
"Ah, Sabre. I'VE were Just sayins
what very deeply unfortunat,
thing Il IS that none Of us princi
pals are OF an age to do the righ
thing by the firm by joining tn
army"
Yes, It's a pity" Sabre said.
I'm glad you agree. I know yoi
would. For myself, OF course, Tr
out OF the question. Twyning her
is getting on for forty and OF oours
he's given his son TO the war. 70
-of course, you're married, too, an
there we arel It does. as you say
seem great pity"
Sabre spoke very slowly Mo,
furious anger was about 70 bur.
when there had suddenly come I
its control the thought. these tw
aren't getting at you for any love
England. for any patriotic reasoi
Theirs Is another reason" He sal
very slowly, i never told you, PEI
haps I ought 70 have told you al II
time. that / was refused for n
army some while ago"
Twyning spun around from y
bookcase. Rea1ly2 BY Jove, ar
you look At enough, too. old ma
Fancy-Jolly sporting OF 70
Fancy-Oh. say. old man, DO le
have a look at your paper II you
got II on you"
sabre was at his door. '-wh
paper7"
Your rejection paper. old ma
I've never seen one"
Il haven't got one
mot got onei You must have, G