al burst of passion that Barry could only gaze at him with
astonishment.

"Forgive me, my boy," he said, coming forward with outstretched hand.
"For a moment I confess I thought--" Again he paused, apparently unable
to continue.

"You thought, dad," cried Barry, "and--forgive me, dad--I thought too. I
ought to have known you better."

"And I, you, my son."

They shook hands with each other in an ecstasy of jubilation.

"My God, I'm glad that's through," said the older man. "We were both
fools, Barry, but thank God that horror is past. Now tell me all about
everything--your trip, your plans. Let's have a good talk as we always
do."

"Come on then, dad," cried Barry. "Let's have an eat first. By Jove,
I feel a thousand years younger. I go to the M. O. to-morrow for an
examination."

"He is quite unusually severe in his interpretation of the regulations,
I understand," said his father. "He is turning men down right and left.
He knows, of course, that there are plenty to choose from. But there is
no fear of your fitness, Barry."

"Not much," said Barry, with a gay laugh.

Never had they spent a happier evening together. True, the spectre of
war would thrust itself upon them, but they faced it as men--with a full
appreciation of its solemn reality, but without fear, and with a quiet
determination to make whatever sacrifice might be demanded of them. The
perfect understanding that had always marked their intercourse with
each other was restored. The intolerable burden of mutual uncertainty in
regard to each other's attitude toward the war was lifted. All shadows
that lay between them were gone. Nothing else really mattered.

The day following, Barry received a rude shock. The M. O., after an
examination, to his amazement and dismay, pronounced him physically
unfit for service.

"And why, pray?" cried his father indignantly, when Barry announced the
astounding report. "Is the man a fool? I understood that he was strict.
But you! unfit! It is preposterous. Unfit! how?"

"Heart murmur," said Barry. "Sets it down to asthma. You remember I told
you I had a rotten attack after my experience last week in the river. He
suggested that I apply for a position in an ambulance corps, and he is
giving me a letter to Colonel Sidleigh at Edmonton. I am going to-morrow
to Edmonton to see Sidleigh, and besides I have some church business to
attend to. I must call upon my superintendent. You remember I made an
application to him