All for a Scrap of Paper A Romance of the Present War

t as all people of a Celtic origin are, but we never dreamed of what has taken place. One week we were sitting idly in our boats in the bay, the next our lads had heard the cal

s; at the beginning of August we had almost forgotten these things in the wild excitement with which the news of war filled us. Placards headed by the Royal Arms were posted at public places, calling up Army

r side, and as our forefathers had fought in every stage of our country's history, we were prepared to fight again. But we Cornish are a quiet, Peace-loving people, a

f a lad I know, and love; the story, too, of a maid who loved him, and what t

by his friends, Bob Nancarrow, got out his two-seater Renaud, and prepared to drive to Penwennack, the home of Admi

of St. Ia, and one of the most favoured spots in the county. Perhaps, too, the coast scenery around Gurnard's Head is among the finest in Cornwall, while G

nd heart were full of the thought that he was going to spend the afte

er given him one shadow of hope, never by word or action suggested that she cared for him in any way other than that of a lifelong playmate and friend. But then, as

reflected, as the car spun along a winding lane, the hedges of which rose hi

Penwennack, Nancy's home, appeared, and Bob looked eagerly

"I know that Captain Trevanion is coming to dinner to-nigh

her mind a dozen times in a day, she might at times seem flippant, and callous to the feelings of others, she might even be "a little bit of a flirt"-it made no difference to him. He knew that she had not a mean fibr

bears one of the oldest names in England too, he's heir to an old title, and he's Captain in one of the crack regiments. And Nancy l

he did not parade his faith, it was well known that he held fast by those principles for which the Society of Friends is known. For one thing, he hated war. To him it was

most inevitable that he and the Admiral should quarrel. Indeed, a coolness did spring up between them, and but for the fact that Mrs. Nancarrow had been

his father's opinions. Dr. Nancarrow died when he was quite a boy, yet

joined the Officers' Training Corps, he held by his father's opinion

a profession was repugnant to him, he made such progress in the O.T.C. that he quite distinguished himself. I

have the makings of a first-class soldier, an

ent in for this thing only to please my mater, and, to tell

f time if we went to wa

e we going t

on the brin

tary nation, and there's not a shadow of reason for believing that while o

d upon us. Think

of life and treasure, waged on behalf of Jew financiers rather than for any great principle. In the doctor's eyes it had been a vi

say about that the be

uld never fight

mean

if war can be justified an

ed Captain Pringle, who, although he was regarded a

say

s of us, and they'll be at

and we had a great time. She knew some German families there, and we became great friends with them. They don't

uge army? Why are they trying to bui

as we are. Why, a war with Germany is unthinkable, and it would be the greatest crime in history to draw our sword agains

my if those are your views," replied Captain Pri

stensible purpose was to read for the Bar, after taking his degree; but he secretly

ether. For while Bob did not in any way profess adherence to the Society of Friends, he greatly admired those of that persuasion. In addition to this, too, his father's influence was still strong upon him. The boy revered his f

religion among most people, whether churchmen or nonconformists, seems to mean nothing. We attend so many 'chapels' as a matter

d up with the best of the younger men. This appealed to the young fellow strongly. But, more than this, he was one of the greatest authorities on history in the University. He was a sai

house, and it was during his many

is dying in this country. We are being more and more filled with the spirit of militarism, which means the death of relig

ll, had done their work. He detested militarism, and he hated the thought of war. Not that the thought of war lo

he door of the great house, and a few seconds later he was talking eagerly wi

l, and Pen. I, who have known her all her life, can testify to this, and as she stood there th

d's End," said the Admiral, looking at hi

d Nancy. "We are going to have tea on the headland, after which

ancy to go to Gurnard's Head together. They had been playfellows and friends all

"and mind you take gr

had Trelawney blood in his veins, and, although his father had been a Quaker doctor, he made no

forty inches around the chest. But there, although he has the looks of a Trelawney, he has the view

hed the professors, swept everything before you, and all that so

e about his scholastic achievements, besides which he knew that

you know, Bob," and the

count much wi

on't like dressing like a frump, and because I love

t I meant was," and he stammered painfully, "that-that it's-a matt

have you for

ways laughing at my desire to be 'a fusty bookworm,'

" she replied, and Bob thought

ly yesterday, when we were talking together at tea, and some one said that I should die an old bachelor, you said that

I went out of my way to persuade you? And you gave as your exc

?" asked Bob eagerly. "N

but turned her eyes towa

th her, for he knew that, in spite of her love of pleasure, and her sometimes flippant way of talking, she was one of the sweetest, truest girls that ever breathed. Alth

to Gurnard's Head that afternoon, little thinking that s

o stay?" he repeated. "If

aptain Trevanion to show me hi

. All caution went to the winds. The mad passion which for years he had been trying to crush