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

ushered him into the room which went by the name of "the library," though there was but little indication that the apartment was used as a storehouse

the Admiral seated at

pread be

oped you would have come in for dinner, but I suppo

retain his old friendly footing, but it was e

war, never imagined it would come upon us like this. But, by gad, they have found us ready this time! Never was the mobilisation of the A

y were going

Sandhurst; but George was just as keen. I am proud of them too. Yes, my boy, I have lost one son in war, and God onl

the Admiral had in his mind,

. Ah! my lad, let the Radicals say what they will, but it's grand to come of a good family. You have to go a long way back in English history before you come to the time when the Trelawneys and

r," repl

me influence in military quarters, although I am a naval man, and I can arrange for you to have your commission right away. Of course it will be in a Cornish regiment." He did

e up my mind to

break in upon your law studies and the other things you have in your mind, but, God willing, we shall get all this business

all, sir," replie

is it,

w my fat

llow and an honest man, but, you wil

he did not dare

days ago that if war came, hard as it would be for her, she would not move a finger to keep you from going

Bob, "but-but I have mad

en's nam

ulous, "do you think it right for a man to und

ot; what has tha

tal and devilish, opposed to everyt

s of this war? Why, my lad, the thing is as plain as the nose on your face. Have you gon

s,

een planning this war for years, and that

batable, is

le was, to all intents and purposes, patched up, and then Germany insisted on an impossible ultimatum. Austria would never have declared war on Servia had not Germany given her orders to do so. Here is a letter written by Sir Maurice de Bunsen, on July 26. He states plainly that Germany wanted war, that she had schemes i

Germany was the aggressor in this case; I believe, too, that Russia decided to stand by Servia not for the sake

to protect Servia, Germany, knowing that the war she had been trying to bring about must come some time, declare

ow that makes w

invaded Belgium, broke

to protect her wh

"I believe you preten

do, but what has t

believe in 'The Se

Isn't it our Lo

u how a man can reconc

with bloody warfare s

ent; he was a simple seaman, and not

would not give a fig for any Christian who did not keep his word. Well, we gave our word to Belgium. The Germans did so, too, but, like the brutes they

l, don't you

re you going to back out of your duty, or

I told you, war to me is unchristian, devilish, and if I

him, and, had he been able to speak, he would have hurled at Bob words for which he would ha

ave been mistaken in you; sorry that you should have accepted the hospitality

ith himself for not weighing his w

d man, "it is no use say

ithout hesitation the man opened the door and held it while Bob passed out, and then led the way to the front entrance. When

kind of second home. Of course Nancy would be aware of the interview, and would learn the result. In bidding good-bye to the house, he was also bidding good-b

u need not wait." The man left without a word, and Nanc

I would give you another chance of-explaining yourself." Her voice was

s afraid I should not see y

everything is arranged all right. Bob, do you mean what yo

thing I ever did in my

g a cowar

if you like,"

his time, and the do

I do not think you can have realised the circumstances. Since you left, I have done nothing but read-and try to understand. I have been very ignorant about such matters, and I thoug

said Bo

u do not hold t

afraid

aps you wi

one of those fellows who parade their piety and that sort of thing. I would not say what I am going to now, but for the circumstances. I have tried to understand what Christianity means. I have read the New Testament, especially the Gospels, again and again. I have tried to realise what Jesus Christ said, what He lived for, what He died for, and I think I have tried to follow him. No, I am not namby-pamby, and this is not empty talk. I expect there are hundreds of young fellows who never talk about religion, but who are trying, h

ide open eyes, and her lips t

that is nothing, is it? What is much more terrible to me is the fact that I shall-that I shall lose you! You dr

e tone of his voice, in the expression of his eyes, which kept her from doing this. "Perhaps you have not thought of the other side," she tried to say calmly. "Have you ever thought what

ve thought

ry, and all our country stands for, if need be, t

urder to save some one from an even greater calamity? That's nothing but the old Jesuit doctrine of the end justifying the means. But, Nancy, don't let's talk anything

end of this war we come off victorious, I suppose that you, who have never lifted your finger to save your country, will

cannot

Bob"-she raised her voice as she spoke-"if you can stand by while your country is in danger, if you can turn a deaf ear to her call, if you refuse to help, and go on working at your law boo

country as much as England is; the German people are what Thomas Carlyle calls them

by and see a little nation crushed? Everything proves that their object and desire is to crush England, and to dominate the world. You say you have read all about it.

Bob, "I can

or war, and then when the President and Foreign Secretary of the French Republic were staying in Russia and could not get back for days, Germany hurled out her ultimatum. War was declared at a time, too, when Russia was believed to be confronted with revolutionary strikes, and was almost bled to death by her war with Japan. It was d

ed Bob; nevertheless, he was struck with

man troops were not allowed to march through the country without opposition, she would be treated as an enemy. Can you think of anything more dishonourable? Why," and Nancy's voice trembled with pain, "I was just mad when I read it in the newspapers, and when afterwards dad showed me the official reports about it, I could scarcely contain myself. The Chancellor of Germany said, 'Yes, we know we have done wrong; we have broken our word to Luxemburg, and violated the treaty we signed; but necessity knows no law. It was a part of our plan to do

ther side to that

er called an 'infamous proposal.' He suggested that we should break our word to Belgium, and remain neutral so that Germany could crush France. Then when our Ambassador as

Germans are willing to plunge Europe into war, we should do likewise? Doe

ts of a gentleman, said, 'Have you counted the cost, and still stand by your honour and plighte

rong; would that justify my driving a knife into his heart? I should be called a murderer if I did it, and be hanged for my deed. Besides, to come back to where we were just now, Nancy, how could I pretend to be a Christian, if I enlisted, and went to the war for the purpose of killing my fellow-men? Christ said, 'Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you. If a man smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other

your explanat

ill not let this come between us, will you? I am trying to be true to my conscience, to act in

this fight?" and the girl's voice b

ter tens and tens of thousands of men have been killed, after a whole continent has been desolated, I believe we shall win. We shall be stronger than the Ge

e that no war c

ook hi

religion would have been destroyed, our homes taken away from us, our liberty torn from us, our existence as a nation would have been practically wiped out. Do you

as si

ks to crush us; but our men, thank God, have not ceased to be Englishmen, and they will safeguard our liberties, and keep for us still the England we love. When the war is over, and all danger i

that's n

at your attitude? It is un-English

hould be sorry afterwards, perhaps; but-

for you

r m

oice. I-I had nearly overco

do you mean t

rinks from his duty at such a t

a choice between you

Her lips were quivering, and her hands were trembling.

ce," she said, and her vo

is it,

tween me and

had struck him. "Do you me

I mean

se. Nancy heard him close the front door behind him, and then, thr