Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 258, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1916 — UNDER FIRE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

UNDER FIRE

By RICHARD PARKER

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SYNOPSIS. Georgy WagstafT, daughter of Sir George, of the British admiralty, hints at a liaison between her governess. Kt he] Wllloughbj. and Henry Streetman.. Ethel denies It. Henry Streetman calls on Ethel and while walling for her talks to Brewster. Sir George’s butler, who Is a German gpy, his failure to gel at admiralty papers in Sir George’s possession. He phones to German secret service headquarters. Btreetman. the German spy. and Roeder (alias Brewster, the butler> are discussing the possibility of war. 'W hen Ethel appears he tries to force her to get from Sir George knowledge of the sailing orders to the British fleet. Though she believes him a French inr-cad of a German spy, she refuses until he threatens her. She begs him to announce their secret marriage, as Georgy is suspicious, but he puts her off At tea Georgy and her lover. Guy Fulconer. tease Sir George, and Streetman makes an awkward attempt to talk politics. Streetman, the German spy. Sir George 'WagstaiT, British naval official. Ethel Willoughby, secret wire of Streetman. and others are having tea at the Wagstaff home. The party is discussing a play. Charlie Brown, newspaper man of New York, entertains the tea party with his views on the threatened war In Europe. Guy Falconer declares that If war comes he will go to Cuba. Hts mother and Sir George reprove him. Charlie aays Guy Is spoofing. Capt. Barry Redmond of the Irish Guards, calls on Ethel The two had been undeclared lovers. She tells him of her marriage and he tells her Streetman is a German spy _ with a family In Berlin.

Ethel discovers, during her talk with Capt. Larry Redmond that she has been betrayed by Henry Streetman, and expresses her grief. CHAPTER VIII —Continued. “Oh, It’s everything—everything!” she told him with' a dry sob. “I should never have gone away; or having gone, I should never have come back —to make you suffer like this,” he - said with bitter self-reproach. It hurt him terribly to see her so torn by her emotions. “There, there, my dear! Don’t cry!” he said, patting her arm - with the tenderness of a woman. “Oh, let me! Let me!” Ethel cried, for the blessed vent of tears had come to her at last “Oh, Larry, why couldn’t It have been different?” “Faith, I don’t know, my dear! But now with you and me it’s only a dream of what might have been—and w:e must forget” he comforted her bravely. “Forget T** she repeated brokenly. "Well, we must try to,” he said. “We must be friends —the best friends in the world.” “We can’t be just—friends,” she told him. She knew that their deep love for each other would never let them be merely that. “We must be!” he persisted with the conviction of a man who would always do right. “We love each other too much to be more—or less —than the best of friends.” From the hall outside, voices came to their ears. And Ethel had scarcely dried her tears before their friends had returned to claim them for the dinner party. “Great Scott!” Guy Falconer exclaimed as he came upon them. “Still chinning, you two? You never talk to me as long as that!!-’ he told Georgy Wagstaff with.mild reproach. “You’re not so interesting as Captain Redmond,” she retorted with the * cruelty of Insolent eighteen. “Weil, admitting that,” Guy said, for he never Plunged voluntarily into an ... argument with Georgy, “admitting that, I’ve seats for the Palace and we’ve telephoned to Richmond for a table. So let’s hurry.” "I don’t think I can go, after all,” Ethel told them then. She knew that she was in no condition for the bantering give- and take of dinner-table conversation. , “Oh, Ethel!” Georgy cried in obvious disappointment. And “Oh, Ethel! Don’t spoil the party!” Mrs. Falconer urged. “Come on, Larry!” said Guy. “By George, yon do look glum—just the same as I did when Georgy first refused me. Now I’ve got used to it.” While they were trying to persuade Ethel to Join them, Sir George Wagstaff entered the room. He had heard their voices as he was passing through the hall on his return from his hurried visit to the admiralty. And since he had news that he knew would prove of great Interest to them he had stopped on his way to bis own quarters. “By Jove, Redmond! I’m glad to see you!” he cried as soon as he caught sight of the returned wanderer. "Thank you, Sir George! It’s good to be baek,” Larry replied. “As a Britisher, you’ve come home at the right moment,” Sir George told him gravely as he shook the captain's band. /“Yoo mean that there’s news of the war—bad new*-*" Sthal exclaimed,

quick to grasp the suggestion of something serious iu Sir George’s words and manner both. “Germany has declared that a state OT war exists between herself and liussia. Our information is that France Is rnobilizing and’ will support Russia ;*' Sir George seemed - ati" nt~ onceyears older under the added cares of the impending conflict. CHAPTER IX. For King and Countryl Captain Redmond was the first to break the ensuing silence. “Good God! Then it's come at last!” he cried In a ringing voice. “And the fleet! What of the English fleet?” Ethel Willoughby exclaimed, as her quick mind turned inevitably to that most vital factor of Britain’s defense. It was pure patriotism that prompted her question. For the moment all thought of Henry Streetman and his constant importuning vanished completely from her reckoning. Sir George swept the little company with a rapid glance: “You are all practically members of my family—at least I regard you as such,” be said. “Redmond, you are an officer in his majesty’s service—what I say is In absolute confidence.” Larry stood stiffly at attention. “Of .course, Sir George!” he answered* Then Sir George told them what

Henry Streetman would have given his soul to know; “Winston Churchill went to Portsmouth this morning. The British fleet sailed this afternoon under sealed orders and Churchill has offered his resignation as first lord of the admiralty.” At that terse statement Ethel Willoughby sank slowly upon a chair. In their excitement the others did not notice her agitation. Nor could they have interpreted It had they divined it. Something in the manner of an inspiration had come to her—a scheme, plot a stroke of genius perhaps. At all events, she saw in a flash how she might yet serve her country in a manner that Is granted to few women—or even men. Meanwhile Captain Redmond pondered upon Winston Churchill’s, .peculiar action. “But why, Sir George—why?” he asked. —“Because he had no authority from parliament to give such orders. If

England is not Involved in the war. then Churchill alone is responsible for his action and his public career will be ended. If England goes to war, then the English navy has gained at once early and tremepdous advantage.” —“But it means that Churchill believes England will fight,” Ethel said. “That England will have to fight,” Sir George corrected her. “Then the fleet—it did not disperse?” she questioned. “Where has it gone?” Sir George saw no reason for telling them half truths. . “The most* powerful fleet the world has ever known has gone to the North sea to the Kiel canal' to bottle tip the German navy, and that it will do7\l’m certain,, With the bulk of the German fleet? unable to come out, we’ll prove once again that Britannia does rule roe waves.” His words thrilled everyone of them. “And there’s really going to be war!” Mrs. Falconer exclaimed in a wondering voice. “I never believed I’d live to see It.” ’ “And a long, horrible war!” Sir George continued slowly. “We shall suffer very terribly—England, I fear, in particular, because we did not expect It We’ve been too sure that it would never happen in our lifetime. Some day—yes! But not now! And • L ■' —-—A - . 'ASu '

we’re not ready—not the least ready! We shall need every man." His remark brought home to Larry Redmond a realization of the way in which the situation applied to himself. “Then, in some ways, it’s good I've come back." he commented. “I must report at once.” Guy Falconer turned to him with unbounded enthusiasm lighting up his young face. “I’ll go with you!” he cried. “Is it too late to enlist tonight?” ‘Tin afraid so,” Larry said. Guy’s words struck his mother with -a quick oh 111--e-f fear. She rose hastily from her sent and going fenrfnlly ‘up to her son. laid u supplicating baud upon his arm. “Rut, Guy. you’re not going to the war?” she said with a catch in her voice.

“Why, of course I am. mother!” “Of course he is!” Georgy Wagstaff repea tod after him. “Rut, Guy—ymi said you wouldnT fight!” his mother reminded him tremulously. Her feelings had undergone a sudden change. “I know," he said, putting his hand upon lyH'fl*’soothingly. “But that was when I didn't befieve there would be war. And now that it’s come, I couldn’t stay home. I couldn’t!” “That's the spirit, my boy!” Sir George told him with a renewed trust in Britisli manhood. “But, Guy—you mustn’t! I couldn’t let you go!” she told him brokenly. He was sorry for her. And yet there was an unwonted sternness in Guy’s face as he saidr “Mother, you don’t want me to be a coward?” “But. my boy, you’re all I’ve got in the world! You’re the only thing I’ve left!”’ And then she took him in h“er

arms and sobbed. To her had come only a little more quickly than to other English mothers the renunciation that war demands of lowly and high alike. % “Don’t cry, mother, please—don’t!” Guy said gently. “You know I’ve got to go. I’ll come back all right” “Of fpnrso he win,” said Georgy. “And then I’ll marry him.” Guy had all at once assumed new proportions in her eyes. She had always been fond of him, from the time they were girl and boy together. But she had never taken him quite seriously. Now, however, she saw that Guy was a man, and that he intended to play a man’s part in the approaching struggle. And in that moment Georgy knew that be was more than worthy of her. A new light shone In Guy’s eyes as he turned to the girl. “Will you really?” he asked. “You hear that, mother? Why, that alone is worth going to the front so I’ll get a V. C. and be a hero and we’ll live happily ever after.” Of such is the rosy optimism of youth. , Georgy Wagstaff placed her hands in his. —— “For once, you dear old thing, I can’t argue with you,” she said. And though she smiled at had difficulty in keeping back her tears. Guy Falconer stood very erect as he took his mother by the hand. He saw women in a new light now—-saw and recognized the sacrifices they had inevitably to make in life’s battles, since the beginning of time. “Come, on, mother!” he said gravely. “Take meTo the barracks.” “My son, I’m proud of you!” she half whispered, as she looked up at him through her tears. “So am I!” added Georgy Wagstaff. She had acquired all at once a new sense of proprietorship In Guy. “You’ll write me?” she asked him. “Every day!” be promised eagerly. “And you—you will be careful, won’t you, Guy?” his mother besought him, with her hands upon his shoulders. “Of course, I’ll be careful.” And then they bad gone—Mrs. Falconer and Georgy, hanging desperately to him who was dearest of the whole world to them. Sir George Wagstaff turned to the others with an air of unaffected pride. “There’s the true Englishman!” he said. “And there’ll be hundreds—thousands, like him —the flower of our country. who won’t come back,” .Ethel said slowly. “Oh, it’s too terribfe!” The little tragedy had touched hejjr. to the quick. Beside it her own troubles seemed momentarily dwarfed. “Yes, it Is terrible.” Sir George agreed. He had no Illusions as to what war meant for England. “I must go at once to the war office,” Captain Redmond announced hurriedly. And he shook hands with Miss Willoughby. “Good-by, Ethel!” he said in a tone that was far more sober than was customary for him. “I must return to the Sir George said. “Coming. ‘Redmond?” ns be moved toward the door. — Larry had already started to join him when Ethel called him back. “Larry, before you go, may I have just five minutes with you—alone?” “Of course!” he assented. “You’H forgive me, Sir George?” “Surely! See you again, Redmond!” And that Georgy’s father left them—alone. “Larry, 1 ' when will you go to the front?" Ethel asked in a .tense voice. He set 44s cap and stick upon a stooL before answering her. T “I don’t know,” he said. “I’m afraid I shan’t be in the thick of the fight.” “You mean they wpn’t send you?” “I fear not, my dear. They’ll want me—they’ve often said so—for something they call more important than being shot at. They’ll use me in the special service—what you’d call a Bpy. I suppose, though, it’s as good as any other way to die for one’s country. ’Tis my duty—though I’d not be too proud of it.” For a brief time she made no reply, as she pondered hi* words.

“Won’t you let me help?" she asked him then. “You?" He wondered what ahe could mean. “I do.so want to help!” she continued. “There’ll be thousands of women who’ll go to the front as nurses—millions to do the things at home. But can’t I go to serve England—to be In the special service jtoo?” A shadow crossed his fine face at the mere mention of the undertaking. “Oh, rny dear, I couldn’t let you! The risk for you’d be too grfeat I couldn’t permit it.” But she would not be put down so easily. • “Think of the things a woman could do safely—without suspicion,” she argued, “where a man would be useless.” “I know, I know —but I couldn’t allow it. And your husband?” he qiieSr tioned. He hardly thought any rightminded man would lie willing to let his wife face such peril. She turned to him impetuously. “Larry, I lied to you,” she confessed. “I’m miserable, wretched. I’m not happy with my husband. I’ve made a mess of things, like you. I

want to get away. This is the only thing I can do for England—for you! Oh, please let me go—oh, please!” He saw that she was greatly moved —that she wag soul-tortured, half frantic. And he had not the heart to deny her any solace, no matter where she might turn for it. “I know how you feel,” he said, “and you shall do this thing if I can arrange it.”' Her heart went out to him in gratitude because be had understood. “Oh. thank you, Larry! Thank you! Now, tell me—what am I to do? Where shall I be sent? Shall I be with you?" She hoped that it would be so. “No, my dear —not with me.” he ex* plained. “My job wili be inside the German lines—perhaps in their very army.” Hte answer struck a chill of fear into her—for she could feel fear for him. “But that’s impossible!” she exclaimed incredulously. “You would be caught at once.” “Oh, I think not!” he reassured her. “The plan is all arranged—every detail —since before I went away. Now ’tis only for me to carry it out But you can’t be with me.” Her disappointment was obvious. “But what shall I do?” she asked doubtfully. “That we’ll see. But somehow we’ll be working together.” * “For king and country!” she exclaimed, holding out her hand to him. “For king and country!” he repeated after her, as he took her slight hand in his own strong one.

CHAPTER X. Hoist by His Own Petard. “Beg pardon, Miss Willoughby! A gentleman to see you, by appointment!” Tn his character of Brewster, Sir George’s butler, the German spy Roeder made his announcement in faultless fashion. “Oh, in Just a minute!” Ethel Willoughby told him. She knew that it was Henry Streetman who had returned to see her. And to Larry, whose hand she had hastily dropped Just as Brewster threw open the double doors, she said, when the pseudo butler had gone, “I may gain some very important information from this man. I can’t explain more than that now. Will you wait in that room?” She Indicated a door leading Into a smaller room adjoining' her sitting room. “Ytes, my dear—God keep you I” Cap tain Redmond answered. And he at once proceeded to ca<Ty put her. wishes. '"Ethel breathed j|i rapid prayer as she heard Streetman already - mounting the stairs. T “Ob, help me to-be brave! Help me to be clever —for Larry and for England!” She turned then jo meet the man who had betrayed' her, and against whose wits she had now undertaken to match her own.

There le no greater tragedy, In the eyes of men, than the betrayal of an innocent girl. It is an Inoldent In human affairs that has inspired literature In all ages, and provoked murder and suicide. With what emotion Ethel accepts the fact of her betrayal and with what determination she sets out to avenge the wrong, if such a thing is possible, is told in this installment

Will this girl be able tk-de> —cetvethespy regarding her Intentions and inveigle him. into permitting her to do as she likes? V V ' ■- (TO BE CONTINUED.)

“The British Fleet Sailed This Afternoon.”

“For King and Country!”