Produced by Michael Gray (Lost_Gamer@comcast.net)
Mary Louise
and the Liberty Girls
By
Edith Van Dyne
Author of
"Mary Louise," "Mary Louise in the Country,"
"Mary Louise Solves a Mystery,"
"The Aunt Jane's Nieces
Series," etc.
Frontispiece by
Alice Casey
The Reilly & Lee Co.
Chicago
Copyright, 1918
by
The Reilly & Britton Co.
---
_Made in the U.S.A._
_Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls_
JUST A WORD
The object of this little story is not especially to encourage loyalty
and devotion to one's country, for these are sentiments firmly
enshrined in the hearts of all true American girls. It is rather
intended to show what important tasks girls may accomplish when spurred
on by patriotism, and that none is too humble to substantially serve
her country.
Organizations of Liberty Girls are possible in every city and hamlet in
America, and are effective not only in times of war but in times of
peace, for always their Country needs them--always there is work for
their busy hands.
One other message the story hopes to carry--the message of charity
towards all and malice towards none. When shadows are darkest, those
who can lighten the gloom are indeed the blessed ones.
EDITH VAN DYNE
CONTENTS
I THE MASS-MEETING
II MARY LOUISE TAKES COMMAND
III THE LIBERTY GIRLS
IV THE TRAITOR
V UNCONVINCING TESTIMONY
VI TO HELP WIN THE WAR
VII THE LIBERTY SHOP
VIII THE DETECTIVE'S DAUGHTER
IX GATHERING UP THE THREADS
X THE EXPLOSION
XI A FONT OF TYPE
XII JOSIE BUYS A DESK
XIII JOE LANGLEY, SOLDIER
XIV THE PROFESSOR IS ANNOYED
XV SUSPENDERS FOE SALE
XVI MRS. CHARLEWORTH
XVII THE BLACK SATCHEL
XVIII A HINT FROM ANNIE BOYLE
XIX THE PRINTING OFFICE
XX ONE GIRL'S WITS
XXI SUPRISES
XXII A SLIGHT MISTAKE
XXIII THE FLASHLIGHT
XXIV AFTER THE CRISIS
XXV DECORATING
XXVI KEEPING BUSY
Mary Louise
and the Liberty Girls
CHAPTER I
THE MASS-MEETING
One might reasonably think that "all Dorfield" had turned out to attend
the much advertised meeting. The masses completely filled the big
public square. The flaring torches, placed at set intervals, lighted
fitfully the faces of the people--faces sober, earnest, thoughtful--all
turned in the direction of the speakers' platform.
Mr. Peter Conant, the Chairman, a prominent attorney of Dorfield, was
introducing the orator of the evening, Colonel James Hathaway, whose
slender, erect form and handsome features crowned with snow-white hair,
arrested the attention of all.
"You have been told," began the old colonel in a clear, ringing voice,
"of our Nation's imperative needs. Money must be provided to conduct
the great war on which we have embarked--money for our new army, money
for ship-building, money for our allies. And the people of America are
permitted to show their loyalty and patriotism by subscribing for
bonds--bonds of the rich and powerful United States--that all may
participate in our noble struggle for the salvation of democracy and
the peace of the world. These bonds, which you are asked to buy, bear
interest; you will be investing in the Corporation of Right, Justice
and Freedom, with the security of the Nation as your shield. As a
stockholder in this noblest of corporations you risk nothing, but you
gain the distinction of personally assisting to defeat Civilization's
defiant and ruthless enemy."
Loud applause interrupted the speaker. On one of the rows of seats at
the back of the stand sat Mary Louise Burrows, the granddaughter of
Colonel Hathaway, with several of her girl friends, and her heart
leaped with pride to witness the ovation accorded her dear "Gran'pa
Jim."
With well chosen words the old gentleman continued his discourse,
stating succinctly the necessity of the Liberty Bond issue and
impressing upon his hearers the righteousness of the cause for which
this money was required.
"The allotment of Dorfield," he added, "is one million dollars,
seemingly a huge sum for our little city to raise and invest, but
really insignificant when apportioned among those who can afford to
subscribe. There is not a man among you who cannot without hardship
purchase at least one fifty-dollar bond. Many of you can invest
thousands. Yet we are approaching our time limit and, so far, less than
two hundred thousand dollars' worth of these magnificent Liberty Bonds
have been purchased in our community! But five days remain to us to
subscribe the remaining eight hundred thousand dollars, and thereby
preserve the honor of our fair city. That eight hundred thousand
dollars will be subscribed! We _must_ subscribe it; else will the
finger of scorn justly be pointed at us forever after."
Another round of applause. Mr. Conant, and Mr. Jaswell, the banker, and
other prominent members of the Liberty Loan Committee began to look
encouraged and to take heart.
"Of course they'll subscribe it!" whispered Mary Louise to her friend
Alora Jones. "The thing has looked like a failure, lately, but I knew
if Gran'pa Jim talked to the slackers, they'd see their plain duty.
Gran'pa Jim knows how to stir them to action."
Gradually the applause subsided. The faces of the multitude that
thronged about the stand seemed to Mary Louise stern and resolved,
determined to prove their loyalty and devotion to their country.
And now Mr. Jaswell advanced and seated himself at a table, while Mr.
Conant requested those present to come forward and enter their
subscriptions for the bonds. He urged them to subscribe generously, in
proportion to their means, and asked them not to crowd but to pass in
line across the platform as swiftly as possible.
"Let us raise that entire eight hundred thousand to-night!" shouted the
Colonel, in clarion tones. Then the band struck up a popular war tune,
and the banker dipped a pen in ink and held it ready for the onslaught
of signers.
But no one came forward. Each man looked curiously at his neighbor but
stood fast in his place. The city, even to its furthermost suburbs, had
already been systematically canvassed by the Committee and their
efforts had resulted in a bare two hundred thousand dollars. Of this
sum, Colonel Hathaway had himself subscribed twenty-five thousand.
Noting the hesitation of his townsmen, the old gentleman again arose
and faced them. The band had stopped playing and there was an ominous
silence.
"Let me encourage you," said Colonel Hathaway, "by taking another
twenty-five thousand dollars' worth of these wonderful bonds. Put me
down for that amount, Mr. Jaswell. Now, then, who are the patriots
eager to follow my lead!"
There was applause--somewhat more mild in character--but none came
forward. Alora's father, Jason Jones, who had already signed for fifty
thousand dollars, rose and added another twenty-five thousand to that
sum. This act elicited another ripple of applause; more questioning
looks were exchanged between those assembled, but there were no further
offers to subscribe.
The hearts of the committeemen fell. Was this meeting, on which they
had so greatly depended, destined to prove a failure, after all?
Jake Kasker, the owner of "Kasker's Clothing Emporium," finally made
his way to the platform and mounting the steps faced his townspeople.
There was a little murmur of surprise and a sudden tension. The man had
been distrusted in Dorfield, of late.
"You all know what I think about this war," said Kasker in a loud voice
and with a slight German accent. "I don't approve of it, whatever
anyone says, and I think we were wrong to get into it, anyhow."
A storm of hisses and cries of "Shame!" saluted him, but he waited
stolidly for the demonstration to subside. Then he continued:
"But, whatever I think about the war, I want to tell you that this flag
that now waves over my head is as much _my_ flag as it is _yours,_ for
I'm an American citizen. Where that flag goes, Jake Kasker will follow,
no matter what fools carry the standard. If they don't think I'm too
old to go to France, I'll pack up and go to-morrow. That's Jake
Kasker--with a Dutch name but a Yankee heart. Some of you down there got
Yankee names an' hearts that make the Kaiser laugh. I wouldn't trade
with you! Now, hear this: I ain't rich; you know that; but I'll take
two thousand dollars' worth of Liberty Bonds."
Some one laughed, jeeringly. Another shouted:
"Make it three thousand, Jake!"
"I will," said Kasker; "and, if there ain't enough of you war-crazy,
yellow-hearted patriots in Dorfield to take what we got to take, then
I'll make it five thousand. But if I have to do that--an' I can't
afford it, but I'll do it!--it's me, Jake Kasker, that'll cry 'Shame!'
and hiss like a goose whenever you slackers pass my door."
There was more laughter, a few angry shouts, and a movement toward the
platform. The German signed the paper Mr. Jaswell placed before him and
withdrew. Soon there was a line extending from the banker's table to
the crowd below, and the signatures for bonds were slowly but steadily
secured.
Colonel Hathaway faced the German clothier, who stood a few paces back,
a cynical grin upon his features.
"Thank you, Kasker," said the old gentleman, in a cold voice. "You have
really helped us, although you should have omitted those traitorous
words. They poisoned a deed you might have been proud of."
"We don't agree, Colonel," replied Kasker, with a shrug. "When I talk,
I'm honest; I say what I think." He turned and walked away and Colonel
Hathaway looked after him with an expression of dislike.
"I wonder why he did it?" whispered Mary Louise, who had overheard the
exchange of words and marked Kasker's dogged opposition.
"He bought the bonds as a matter of business," replied Laura Hilton.
"It's a safe investment, and Kasker knows it. Besides that, he may have
an idea it would disarm suspicion."
"Also," added Alora Jones, "he took advantage of the opportunity to
slam the war. That was worth something to a man like Kasker."