llers of the soil, and others the sons of
tradesmen, but all were animated by the same patriotic spirit and that
was to defend their country in her hour of danger. The example of a few
became contagious, and seemed likely to affect all the young men of the
academy of suitable age. In fact it did, for out of about thirty that
were old enough, eighteen finally enlisted and went to war. Were it not
that a list of their names is not pertinent to the thread of this
narrative, that roll of honor should be inserted here, for it deserves
to be; but it is not necessary. It is well known in Southton, and there
the names of those young heroes will never be forgotten.

For weeks while the fever of enlistment was spreading, Manson had passed
through serious mental torture. To sign the possibly fatal roll or not
to sign was the question! He dared not tell Liddy; he dared not tell his
parents. An only son, and one whom he knew his father loved, he felt
torn by conflicting duty. Never in his simple life had he passed through
such a struggle. Perhaps pride and the example of his mates were strong
factors in bringing him to a decision, but he reached one at last, and
upon a Saturday during the latter part of April he quietly wrote his
name upon the enlistment paper in Captain Woodruff's office, and the
deed was done.

In the meantime, and for the few weeks in which he did not call, Liddy
lived in an agony of suspense. She knew what was going on, for it was
current gossip in school, and there was something in his face that
seemed to her ominous. In school she tried hard to act unconcerned, even
when, as often was the case, other girls whose young and loving hearts
were sore, gave way to tears. Each day she smiled and nodded to him as
usual; but the smile had grown pathetic, and into her eyes had crept a
look of dread. He saw it all, and hardly dared speak to her. Each Sunday
eve she dressed herself for his coming and watched the fire while the
tall clock ticked in solemn silence. She dreaded to hear her father
speak of the war news, and when at school the gossip as to who had or
who was going to enlist was referred to she walked away. She grew silent
and morose, and clouds were on her face at all times. There were plenty
of sad and worried looks on other girls' faces at school during those
weeks, so she was not alone in her gloom.

Manson had felt that deep down in her heart she cared a good deal more
for him than her conduct showed, an