The War Romance of the Salvation Army

St

k that it was difficult to tell among the other shadows whether it was man or woman, and immediately it became a part of the darkness that hovered close to the entrances along the way. It slid

e glance in either direction a head came cautiously out from the shadow and darted a look after the two lassies, watched till they were out of sight, and a form

he door and sped up the stairs from some errand of mercy; then the night watchman

elessly up the stairs as quietly as the shadow it imitated; pausing to listen with anxious mi

the very top, pausing to look sharply at a gleam o

ew drops there, of some colorless, odorless matter, smearing a spot on the stair railing, another across from it on th

ance way again. At last with a cautious glance around, a pause to rub a match skilfully over the woolen cloak, and to lig

sed that way but it gave no sign. All was still in the great building, as the smo

as if it were human, to another spot not far away; and then to another, and on, and on up the stair rail, across to the wall, leaping, roaring, almo

one. The fire engines throbbed up almost immediately, but the building was doomed from the start and went like tinder. Only the fire drill in which they had constant almost daily practice saved those brave girls and boys from an awful death. Out upon the fire escapes in the bitter winter wind the girls crept down to safety, and one by one the young men followed. The young man who was fire

ng of the Salvation Army

e fire started several of the lassies who were to sail for France in a day or two with the largest party of war worke

stroy as well the great fireproof Salvation Army Natio

unch in a small German restaurant on

we'll blow up the building, and

ed her by the Civic Authorities, to go with her even to her country h

bit of work, and had given orders that she should not be interrupted. The great buildin

adies waiting downstairs to see her on some very important business. He had told them that she could not be disturbed but they insis

them and could not be interrupted now. The

nsisted, and said they had a great gift for the Salvation Army, but

gain with great excitement, begging that she would not see the visitors, as one of the men from downstairs had 'phoned up to her that he did not like th

ered and begged her not to see strangers alone so late at night; and the callers wer

eils, and he studied them carefully as he carried them down to the street floor once more, following them to the outer door. He was surprised to find that no automobile awaited them outside. As they turned to walk down the street, he was sure he caught a glimpse of a trouser l

risingly said: "I'm sorry I didn't see them. I'm sure they wo

also wise as a serpent, and kno

d noticeably attentive to her whenever she entered or went out, and was constantly giving her some pointed little attention to draw her notice. Finally, she stopped for a moment to thank him, and he immediately became most flattering, telling her he knew all about the Salvation Army, that he had a brother in its ranks, was deeply interested in their work in France, and mos

e most needed," and p

y!" she said to her friend

are growing nervous. That man has b

rrested, and proved to be a spy hunting information

oint from which to take the story. For well does the world of evil realize what a strong force of opponents to their dark deeds is found in thi

nning of the da

ions like this when she locked the doors for a few minutes' special work, there m

ning, but her eyes were looking out of the wide window, across the clustering roofs of the great city t

here. But now at last the call had come! America had entered the great war, and in a few days her sons would be marching from all over the land and embarking for over the seas to fling their young lives into that in

so many wives to be bereft; so many men and boys to be sent forth to suffer and be tried; so many hearts already overburdened to be bowed beneath a heavier load

arted that could not be given up without losing precious souls who were on the way toward becoming redeemed men and women, fit citizens of this world and the next. There was no surplus, ever! The multifarious efforts to meet the needs of the poorest of the cities' poor, alone, kept everyone on the strain. There seemed no possibility of doing more. Besides, how could they spare the workers to meet the new demand without taking them from places where they were greatly needed at home? And other perplexities darkened t

stering to the British armies at the front, and now that the American ar

d the Commander tried to bring her thoughts back to them o

yed, wise-hearted General, founder of the movement. Like her father she knew they must go. There was no question about it. No hindrance should stop t

r there, many of them to die, and some are telling them that if they make the supreme sacrifice in this their country's hour of need it will be all right with them when they go into the w

Himself stood beside her and gave her his charge--just as she would later charge those whom she would send

e settled it in her heart that Lieutenant-Colonel William S. Bark

remarkable natural courage by which he was afraid of nothing, and for his unwavering persistence in plans once made in spite of all difficulties. The Commander once said of him: "If you want to

be no mistakes, no unwise choices, no messengers sent forth who went for their own ends and not for the glory of God. Here lies the secret which makes the world w

ent only those whom she knew and had tried. Many of them had been born and reared in the Salvation Army, with Christlike fathers and mothers who ha

th his commission to look the field over and report upon any and ev

ured a letter of introduction from Secretary-to-the-President Tumul

to the desk. When he was seated, without looking directly at the other gentleman, the Colonel began to state his mission to Mr. Tumulty. Before he had finished the stranger spoke up to Mr. Tumulty: "Give the Colonel what he wants and make it a good one!" And lo! he was not a stranger, but

ow what the Salvation Army has done for me;

kind letter of introductio

eing done by the Salvation Army with the British troops, both in France and in England, visiting many Salvati

army was to grant a monopoly of all welfare work to the Y.M.C.A. He feared the Salvation Army would not be welcome, but assured him that anything he could properly do to assist the Salvation Army would be most gladly done. In this connection he stated that he had known of and been interested in th

the Salvation Army representatives, and has rendered valuable assistance in facilita

onception of the Salvation Army was that of street corner meetings and public charity. The officers at that time could not see that the soldiers needed charity or that they wo

l Pershing, and on behalf of Commander Booth offered the serv

m. Calling in his chief of staff he gave instructions that a side car should be placed at Colonel Barker's disposal to go out to the camps; and also

ecourt, where the First Divisio