ot seem to
receive her warmly.

"Where is Garth now?" asked one of these women.

"He's thinking of taking the officers' training," answered Mrs.
Brunton, "as soon as the college term closes. A boy meets the very
nicest people there, and I do think that is so important, to meet nice
people."

"And no Germans!" said the other woman tartly.

* * * * *

Mrs. Brunton gave a very select and intellectual farewell party for
Garth when he went to another city to take the officers' training, and
she referred to him as "my brave soldier laddie," much to the
amusement of some of the party.

In two weeks he came home on leave of absence, very elegant in his new
uniform. He also brought cabinet-sized photographs which cost eighteen
dollars a dozen. Another party was held--the newspaper said he was the
"_raison d'etre_ for many pleasant social gatherings."

At the end of two weeks he went out again to take more classes. He was
very popular with the girls, and the mother of one of them came to
visit Mrs. Brunton. They agreed on the subject of military training
and education, and exceptional women, and all was gay and happy.

At the end of three months Garth again came home. No hero from the
scenes of battle was ever more royally received, and an afternoon
reception was held, when patriotic songs were sung and an uncle of the
young man made a speech.

Soon after that Garth went to Toronto and took another course, because
his mother thought it was only right for him to see his own country
first, before going abroad; and, besides, no commission had yet been
offered him. The short-sightedness of those in authority was a subject
which Mrs. Brunton often dwelt on, but she said she could not help
being glad.

Meanwhile the war went wearily on; battalion after battalion went out
and scattering remnants came home. Empty sleeves, rolled trousers
legs, eyes that stared, and heads that rolled pitifully appeared on
the streets. On the sunshiny afternoons many of these broken men sat
on the verandas of the Convalescent Home and admired the smart young
lieutenant who went whistling by--and wondered what force he was with.

The war went on to the completion of its third year. Garth had
attended classes in three cities, and had traveled Canada from end to
end. There had been four farewell parties and three receptions in his
honor. He came home again for what his mother termed "a well-earned
rest."

He sat