THE MARSHES REUNITED
Pop entered the house. He wanted advice and he wanted it bad. He knew
that ordinarily he would have gone to Mrs. Dean--a woman would help so
much at a time like this. But Dean met him in the hall.
"Hello, Pop--what's the trouble?" asked Dean.
"Hello, Jack. I can't say whether it's trouble or not. What I want is
advice. Maybe you can give it to me, although I figured Mrs. Dean
would be better."
"Tell me, I may be able to help." Dean was surprised at the agitation
of the older man.
Pop told his story. He did not keep any of the details from Dean. The
latter listened, his astonishment growing all the time.
"You see, Jack, it's this way. If they come here, my wife will see me.
She probably hates me. I cannot hope that she will understand. On the
other hand, I want so much to be with her, I am going to be foreman
and that means I can support her comfortably. But I probably would
make her miserable if I entered into her life again. What do you
say?"
"Let us ask Mrs. Dean. She will give you the right answer."
Mrs. Dean listened. There was no hesitation in her answer.
"Go to Chicago at once. You need not worry about how your wife will
take it, nor as to how she feels. I know. She understands better than
you can ever suppose. Jack, dear, whoever said that God did not weave
our lives? How closely our friends here have been interwoven with our
lives, how much we have been of service to each other.
"Go to Chicago on the first train," she finished.
"Yes, and we shall tell Ted. Bring them back with you," added Dean.
Pop left the house, much relieved. He was happy that his duty was
what his inclination was--what he craved to do. He joined the other
men.
Without giving any explanation he told Smiles he would have to be away
for about ten days and that he had already arranged for the same with
John Dean.
Early the next morning he was off. He asked Red to take him down. To
Red he explained the whole thing, that he was coming back with his
folks.
"I understand a whole lot of things now. How queerly you acted at
times. I guess I'll call you Marsh, now."
"Yes, and it's up to you to explain. I shall wire you before you do
so. If my wife should decide that she does not want me, I am not
coming back. If she decides she will forgive me, I will telegraph you
and you can let it out casually."
"I will be glad to do so," answered Red. "Is Jack going to tell Ted?"
"Yes, that's the plan."
"The boy will be glad. He likes you a lot. But, mostly glad, because
it will make his mother happy."
"I hope so much that it will," the older man answered.
We are not going into details as to the meeting between the Marshes.
We, who are acquainted with so much of their story, can imagine what
happened. Bill Marsh left home because he felt he could not hold his
head up nor his wife's respect. He had been very foolish, and it was
this foolishness, this false pride, even a lack of faith in the
understanding of his wife that had made him stay away. Who should have
known him better than his own wife? It was harder to make Helen
understand. She asked some searching questions, but in the end she
realized the fine manliness of her father.
The two, mother and daughter, marveled at the coincidence of the
father being at the same place as Ted.
"The world is a small place, isn't it?" said Mrs. Marsh.
It did not take very long for them to be ready to leave. Marsh helped
where he could and a week after he arrived they left for Big Gulch.
Red had paved the way, in accordance with their plan.
Ted was too surprised to make any comment when he heard the news. At
first he was furiously angry at his father. Boylike, he could not
forgive certain things which an older person could. It was Mrs. Dean,
even more than Red and John Dean, who made him see and understand.
Then the Marshes came to Big Gulch. Matters adjusted themselves. It
was a busy time for all. Smiles was off, smiling and glad. So were the
other men who were to go. Brave men, all of them, doing their duty as
they saw it. Pop took up his duties as foreman.
Then the child was born to the Deans. A girl, which seemed like a
squalling, ugly baby, much like any other baby, to Ted. But to say so
to the mother or to the father or to Mrs. Marsh or to Helen, would
have been a great, an awful insult.
The men came in to see the heir apparent. They seemed clumsy, uncouth,
sheepish creatures and all of them were glad to get away, including
Pop and Ted.
With the excitement subsiding, things began again to take a normal
aspect. Mrs. Dean began to sit up, the child began to look more like a
human being, it had been decided that Helen was to rest for a few
months and then continue her studies at the nearest preparatory
school, with the purpose of entering college. John Dean was to leave
for the front in two weeks.
Our story is almost complete. Ted received a great welcome at the
Academy. The boys had heard of what he had done, of his reward and the
letter he had received from Sir Robert Wingate. For one whole day his
coming made the Great War an even smaller event. Captain Wilson had
gone to Ottawa, he had been promoted to be a major. Some of the
instructors were gone and even one or two of the older students. Those
who were left spoke only of the time when they, too, could go and they
were bemoaning their misfortune in being young.
Ted heard from the folks at home. He heard from Helen and somehow he
got the impression that all she spoke about was Red and what a fine
man he was. A letter from Red made no mention of Helen, but he did say
that he was getting down to the serious business of thinking of the
future. Even as young as Ted was, he could guess that they had become
great friends and he was glad. His father wrote him that he had
placed his $1,000.00 in the bank for him, he having settled all the
debts and accounts himself. It was a fine letter and it removed what
resentment still remained with Ted against his father. His mother also
wrote, saying she was wonderfully happy and he got a short note from
John Dean before he left. He also heard from Walker, who told him he
was off for the war, but that Strong had to stay.
Syd Graham and Ted were inseparable. They did many things together and
the plans for the future each of the boys made included the other.
There was, of course, a great deal more of military training and many
times the boys at the Academy were called upon for some duty or
other.
So the days went. Ted received a fall vacation and he went home. There
was news from the front. Dean had been wounded, so the report came,
not seriously, but enough to disable him, and he was returning home.
He would always limp. In that awful charge when so many Canadians had
been wounded and killed, Smiles had lost his life. It made Ted very
sad to think that he would never see the happy, smiling ex-foreman
again. Helen was at school. Ted pumped Red Mack as to Helen and found
his suspicions confirmed. He teased Red unmercifully and it was one
time when Red was flustered. The Dean baby was a healthy, lusty
youngster of a few months.
Ted Marsh has his life before him. This story is but one incident of
his early life. But for later events we must look elsewhere.
* * * * *
THE FRIENDLY ANIMAL SERIES
A series of 9 books of friendly, likeable fun-loving animals, written
by well known authors of children's books. Each book 64 pages, with
lithograph cover in five colors and a number of full page
illustrations. Size 8-1/2 x 6-1/4--64 pages--each 15c.
Written by Elizabeth Billings Stuart Illustrations by Elsie M. Kroll
THE FAIRY AND THE BUNNY-TAIL
Bunny-Tail is a dear little Bunny, who is always finding something
that turns every-boy's trouble into happiness. The fairy JOY gives
him a magic password, which makes him quite safe in the company of any
of the forest animals or in the presence of hunters.
TRICKY MR. FOX
Tricky Mr. Fox is a sly animal, whose adventures lead him into many
pitfalls and mishaps. He becomes the captive of a little Indian boy
and later his adoring companion. Tricky Mr. Fox proves his devotion
and quick wits by saving the little boy's life when a fire threatens.
TEDDY BEAR, THE TOY MAKER
Brownie Bunny is a harum-scarum Bunny, full of mischief and merry
pranks. He lives with Teddy Bear and makes Teddy Bear's life
delightfully miserable until Bunny-Tail persuades him to become a
Boy Scout. After this transformation he performs many thrilling and
heroic deeds.
LUCKY, THE BOY SCOUT
By ELMER SHERWOOD
A Fascinating Story. Its Action Covers Chicago and the Far West of
Canada.
There comes the rumbling of the Big War. German plots are many. Ted's
share in following these plots, his life at the Double X Ranch and at
Wayland Academy, make this a book that will hold the absorbed
attention of the reader.
Those who are readers of the Lucky Series know that none of the books
are namby-pamby--there is in all of them the true strain of things
worthwhile. Honor, faith and courage hold their rightful place.
WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY
RACINE
_Good Books for Boys and Girls_
THE CAMPFIRE GIRLS AND AUNT MADGE
THE CAMPFIRE GIRLS' WEEK-END PARTY
Delightful stories that are sure to be well liked. The titles would
indicate that they are purely girls' stories but boys will find them
equally interesting. Be sure to read them.
LUCKY, THE YOUNG NAVYMAN
By ELMER SHERWOOD
This book follows the story of Lucky, the Young Soldier.
It deals with Ted Marsh and his service to the American Navy. A book
complete in itself in which Mr. Sherwood has brought to play many of
the incidents of today.
Great things are happening every day. Ted's great fortune is to have a
big share in them.
A story as good as Lucky, the Boy Scout and Lucky, the Young Soldier.
WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY
RACINE
THE FRIENDLY ANIMAL SERIES
LAMMIE AND MRS. FUSSY-CAT
"If you read this book written about me," said Lammie, "you will wish
there were a hundred books to the series the same as mine. Dear me!
that was a day! Read the book. You'll just laugh at the pictures.
Especially the one where I am riding the little wooden-legged squirrel
on my back."
LAMMIE WANTS TO LEARN
"Can you do tricks on a pumpkin, the way I can?" asked Lammie. "If you
don't believe I can do them, just look at the picture that Warner Carr
drew of me the day he caught me out in the garden. My, but I was
having a good time until I happened to take a big mouthful of
horseradish."
LAMMIE ON A FROLIC
"Doing tricks on a pumpkin is nothing compared to doing a buck-jump,"
said Lammie. "Just watch me," and he wheeled around on one toe and
then jumped straight up in the air, kicking out all four feet at once.
"Do you see that field over there? Well, that's where I go
every day to eat white clover and I have the best of times, too."
COMING!!
TED MARSH & THE ENEMY
TED MARSH--THE YOUNG VOLUNTEER
Two great books of present day events. Ted's coolness and daring stand
him in good stead and he proves of great value in the service of the
Government.
The Lowest Priced And Best Series Of Boys' Books
THE BUNNY-TAIL SERIES
by ELIZABETH BILLINGS STUART
With Full Page Illustrations in Color and in Black and White
Winkie Bunny-Tail
Brownie Bunny and Teddy Bear
Mr. Rusty Fox
Twinkle Squirrel and Muffle Face
Fifteen Little Bunny-Tails
"Oh, mother," said little Goldi-locks one day as they were hurrying
through a big Department Store, "do please stop a minute and look at
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"Which ones, my dear?" asked her mother.
"The Bunny-Tail Series, of course. All the children are reading them.
Even Teacher told us a story out of one of them the other day.
Couldn't you buy them for my birthday present?" coaxed the sweet
little girl. "Just see this picture where the Bunnies are all dressed
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Just then a dainty clerk stepped up and smiled as she saw the
interested little girl.
"It's really wonderful," said she, addressing the mother, "how the
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all the year 'round. I have read them all to my little nephew and he
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Five Titles, Cloth, Size 8-3/4 x 6-1/2. Colored Jackets, 64 Pages.
ARABIAN NIGHTS STORIES
_Retold by ELIZABETH BILLINGS STUART_
With 4 Color and 8 Black and White Illustrations
by Elsie M. Kroll
"Tomorrow is Jack's birthday and I don't know what to buy him," said
Jill.
"Does he like books?" asked Phil.
"He reads all the time," answered Jill.
"Then why don't you buy him a nice book for his birthday?" asked Phil.
"I'd love to, but I have only thirty-five cents to spend, and I
couldn't get a nice enough book for that. He likes lots of
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"I know the very book you want," said Phil, all excitement. "It's
called 'Arabian Nights Stories,' by Mrs. Stuart. You know her, don't
you? She's the one who wrote 'Winkie Bunny-Tail' and all the rest of
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"Goody, goody!" said Jill. "Just to think what a lovely birthday
present it will make, and for only thirty-five cents!"
THE FAMOUS ANIMAL STORIES
(For Children from Three to Ten Years of Age)
_"Never Have Animal Stories Made More Fascinating Reading"_
Hazel Squirrel
Tommy Turtle
Happy Bunny
Baby Pony
Bobby Bear
Famous Rover
This series is an innovation in the field of children's books. Six
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throughout the world.
Six Titles, Cloth, Size 7-1/4 x 5, Colored Jacket, 128 Pages.