Aunt Jane's Nieces in the Red Cross

expression, descended from the Pullman and brightened as she

urping the first hug, "how

ed her friend. Then Jones shook both hands of the new arrival and Unc

e that would have caused her to be instantly recognized in almost any community of our vast country; for this beautiful young girl

er aunt-Mrs. Jane Montrose, a widow who had at one time been a favorite in New York social circles-Maud and her sister Florence had appli

the best producing companies on the Pacific Coast, where nearly all the American pictures are now made. Another cause for s

eon served and Maud installed in the "Guest Room." Then the three girls had "a good, l

think?" cried Patsy. "Ma

rrick in a bewildered vo

eth, a soft glow of enthusiasm mantling h

g the girl with wonder. "It is c

young Jones. "It's a tremendous undertaking, and-wha

ly between them. Her face

journey, is proof that I have convinced my aunt, my sister and all my western friends that I am at least determined on my mission, whether it

oss?" quoth

inued. "You know that I am a trained nurse;

ourse at the school here, but I took her away to Europe before she graduated. However, I wish more girls coul

s, for instance," said P

declared Ajo, with a grateful

common sense that enabled me to cure your malady, Ajo.

orsement of the American Red Cross Society. I am counting on that to enabl

the boy. "To Germany, Aus

peak French, but understand little of Ger

this course, Maud?" asked Mr.

on to-morrow, to get my credentials, and th

sumed that tone. It was neither obstinate nor defiant,

any phases of this curious project; then Beth c

with her

claimed, with a nerv

lows who are being so cruelly sacrificed; and I know I

n resolves and eccentric actions, that he could scarcely quarrel with his niece for imitating an example

inspired to noble sacrifice through ignorance and inexperience, and hardly old e

such an adventure. Why, the wounded men would all fall in love with their nurses and follow yo

with Maud and Beth, and you know very well that the sight of my f

nonsense

der me beautifu

ut your going with Maud a

finger, if I choose. So don't, for goodness' sake, s

dear. I'm quite ri

of a kiss on his chubby cheek as she sat on the arm of his chair, "but I'm goi

room a moment. Then he carefully adjusted his spectacles, took a

hat's settled," sa

ed to the boy,

ey've declared a thousand times they love me, and yet they'd trot off to ba

along?" asked Jo

ou

At any rate, I'm going to stand by them. It strikes me as the noblest and grandest idea a girl ever conceived, and if anyt

," muttered Uncl

red. Yet their wonderful womanly sympathy goes out to the helpless and suffering-the victims of the cruellest war the world has ever known-and they promptly propose

" said Uncle

ings," sa

ve him a sturdy whack upon the b

arching on!" she cried. "My boy, you're the

one to another of the th

o go along?

r a moment's hesitation. "This is all very

hat my nieces should want to go with you, but perhaps the trip will prove interesting. Te

ones, "don't

y n

Arabella. L

ss the

r enterprise, I'm sure, to have our own boat

ed her hand

hospital ship!

doubtful, admiring, approving. Presently, with added

gestion," said Maud,

t will extend our us

nd down the room, this time in a s

back our scheme and supply us with proper credentials. The Arabella must be rated as a hospital ship and our party endorsed as a distinct private branch of the Red Cross-what they call a 'unit.' I'll give you a letter to our sen

e expense," pr

ugh in furnishing the ship and

ants," said Patsy. "We shall want heaps of

a half-way physician, having studied medicine in his youth and practiced it on the crew f

I originally expected to do. But, if we take along the hospital ship, do not be extravagant, Mr. Merrick, in equipping it. I fee

n, with a cheerful grin, "I'll try to

it would not inconvenience the little rich man, in th