HOME AT LAST
"Recognize that, Jack?" asked Frank, pointing across the water.
The lads were standing on the forward deck of a great trans-Atlantic liner
that was edging its way into New York harbor.
Jack looked in the direction Frank indicated.
"Rather," he said, "although I only saw it once before. That's the Statue
of Liberty."
"Right," said Frank, "the emblem of that for which America went to war."
"And the spirit for which we all fought," Jack added.
"Exactly. Well, it's been a long time since I saw her. I'm glad to see her
again."
It was morning of the last day of the year 1918.
True to his word, Lord Hastings had been able to secure discharges for the
lads within two weeks after the surrender of the German fleet. They
accompanied Lord Hastings to London, where they remained some time at his
home. Frank, meanwhile, communicated with his father and announced that he
would be home soon. He did not give the exact date, for he wished his
return to be a surprise. And a surprise he knew it would be, as he now
stood on the deck of the incoming liner.
The ship docked a short time later and Jack and Frank went ashore at once.
They took a taxi to the Grand Central station, where they caught a fast
train for Boston. It was night when they arrived there, but Frank
determined to go out to his home in Woburn, ten miles from Boston, at
once.
Accordingly they took an elevated train at the South Station. This put
them in the North Station ten minutes later, and Frank found that there
was a train for Woburn in half an hour.
It was after dark when the lads alighted from the train in the little town
of Woburn. Jack had been there with Frank before, when the lads had
crossed the Atlantic to New York soon after the United States entered the
war. Accordingly, he knew the way from the station to Frank's home almost
as well as the latter did himself.
"Know where you are?" asked Frank.
Jack grinned.
"I've been here once," he said. "That should answer that question. You
know my memory is pretty good."
"Then you can show me which house I live in," said Frank.
Jack pointed to a house a block away where a dim light showed from beneath
a drawn curtain.
"There's the house," he said, "and there appears to be some one home."
"That's father, of course," said Frank. "He seldom goes out in the
evening."
The lads quickened their steps and soon were before the house. Quietly
they mounted the steps and as quietly tip-toed across the porch. Frank
tried the door. It was unlocked.
"Careless of father," he whispered. "I'll have to speak to him about
that."
He opened the door gently and the two lads passed within. Frank closed the
door noiselessly behind him. The lads dropped their grips silently in the
hall and then tip-toed toward a room at the far end, where a light showed.
Keeping out of sight, Frank peered in the door. There, with his back to
his son, sat Dr. Chadwick, reading. Frank stepped softly across the room
leaving Jack standing, grinning, at the door.
Frank reached out and put both hands across his father's eyes.
Dr. Chadwick's book dropped to the floor and for a moment Frank was afraid
he had frightened him by this unceremonious greeting. But Dr. Chadwick's
hands reached up and clasped the hands that for the moment blinded him.
"Frank!" he cried, and sprang to his feet.
The next moment father and son were in each other's arms.
Dr. Chadwick held his son off at arm's length, and looked at him.
"You're a sight for sore eyes," he declared. "You look better than you did
the last time I saw you, and you were looking fine then."
"Here, Father," said Frank, "is a friend of mine come to see you."
Dr. Chadwick turned and saw Jack in the doorway. He stepped forward and
gripped Jack's hand heartily.
"Jack Templeton, eh?" he exclaimed. "I'm glad to see you. And you are
Captain Templeton now, I perceive."
Jack blushed.
"They insisted on making me one, sir, and I couldn't refuse," he said.
"Now," said Dr. Chadwick, "you two boys sit right down here and tell me
all about yourselves. But first, are you hungry?"
"No, sir," said Frank. "We had dinner on the train just before we reached
Boston."
"Then let's hear what you have been doing. I understand you were present
at the surrender of the German fleet. Give me some of the details."
Until long after midnight the three sat there, Dr. Chadwick listening
eagerly to the tales of his son and the latter's chum. But at last he
looked at his watch.
"Why, it's after midnight," he exclaimed. "Time for bed."
Frank led the way to the room he had occupied since babyhood. This Jack
was to share with him during his stay.
"I'll tell you," said Frank, as he climbed into bed, "it feels pretty good
to a fellow to get back into his own bed after all these years."
"I should think it would," agreed Jack. "But mine is a long ways from
here. However, I guess I shall see it again some day."
"Of course you will, old fellow, and I'll go along with you."
They fell asleep.
Both lads were awakened by the sound of a commotion without. They jumped
out of bed. It was broad daylight of the first day of January, 1919.
"Still celebrating the new year, I guess," said Frank. "Remember we heard
'em shooting before we went to bed?"
Jack nodded.
Frank went to the window and stuck his head out. Instantly there was a
wild yell outside. Frank drew his head hurriedly back again.
"What's the matter?" asked Jack.
"I don't know," said Frank. "There is a whole gang of fellows out there
and they all seem to be crazy about something."
Jack had a faint suspicion. He crossed to the window and looked out.
Again a yell went up, followed by a cry from many throats:
"We want Frank!"
Even Frank heard this. His face turned red and he began to act flustered.
"Some of the fellows know I'm home, I guess," he said.
"That's what's the matter, all right," Jack agreed. "Better show yourself
again."
"Wait till I get some clothes on and I'll go down and see 'em," said
Frank.
"They'll probably want you to make a speech," Jack suggested.
Frank was alarmed.
"Speech?" he repeated. "I can't make a speech."
"Oh, yes you can. You don't mean to tell me that a fellow who has done
what you have--who has talked with kings and czars--is afraid to talk to
some of his old friends and companions?"
"That's different," declared Frank.
Jack smiled.
"I catch your point, and maybe you're right," he admitted. "However,
you'll have to do it."
"I suppose I shall," said Frank with a sigh, "so the sooner I get it over
with the better."
He led the way downstairs and on to the front porch. Jack stepped forward
close beside him. Again there was a wild cheer from many throats.
Both lads still wore their British uniforms, and they both presented a
manly and handsome appearance as they stood there on the front porch of
Frank's home.
"Hello, Frank!" "Glad to see you back!" "Are you going to stay here?"
"Tell us about yourself."
These were some of the cries hurled at the lad.
Frank's face turned red and he would have turned away had not Jack's
stalwart frame stayed him.
"Speech! Speech!" came the cry.
The hubbub increased.
"I can't do it, Jack!" Frank exclaimed.
"Oh, yes you can," replied his chum. "I'll help you."
He raised his right hand for silence, still keeping his left tightly on
Frank's shoulder, for the latter showed signs of bolting at the first
opportunity. Instantly the shouting died away and the crowd of young
fellows waited expectantly.
"I just want to introduce my friend," said Jack smiling. "Lieutenant
Chadwick, gentlemen, of His British Majesty's service, though an American
citizen, and a good one at that. Lieutenant Chadwick will be glad to say a
few words to you."
The cheering burst forth again, but died away as Jack pushed Frank
forward.
Frank made a brave effort and finally managed to say a few words. He grew
more at ease as he went along and his audience listened intently. He
spoke for perhaps five minutes, then concluded:
"And now, fellows, I want you all to step up and shake hands with my
friend--also my commander--Captain Jack Templeton. He's an Englishman, but
a pretty good fellow at that--and he's no older than any of us."
There was another cheer and the boys gathered around to shake Jack's hand
and get acquainted with him. And after they had talked and talked and
feasted their eyes on the British uniforms to their hearts' content they
went away. Then Jack and Frank went in to breakfast, where Dr. Chadwick
was awaiting them at the table.
A few words more and the history of The Boy Allies on the Sea is complete.
Jack remained with Frank for several weeks, then returned to England upon
receipt of a message from Lord Hastings announcing that he had found a
place for the lad in the diplomatic service. The story of Jack's struggles
in his chosen profession would make interesting reading, perhaps, but it
is in no wise connected with the great war. Suffice it to say that he is
rapidly rising to fame and fortune and that in years to come, in all
probability, he will hold one of the most important posts in the British
government.
Frank, for his part, remained in his home town, where he took up the
study of law. He proved an apt student and soon showed signs of talent
that undoubtedly will make him famous.
So here we shall take our leave of Jack Templeton and Frank Chadwick,
knowing that, in years to come, they will meet again, both famous then,
and that through all the years their friendship shall survive, and grow
stronger than it was in the days when they fought side by side for the
freedom of the world.
THE END