ered with American flags. Even the signs were hidden by a
fluttering display of the Stars and Stripes.

"I wonder what this means?" said the colonel.

"Let's go in and inquire," proposed Mary Louise. "I don't suppose the
man has forgiven me yet for suspecting his loyalty, but you've always
defended him, Gran'pa Jim, so he will probably tell you why he is
celebrating."

They entered the store and Kasker came forward to meet them.

"What's the meaning of all the flags, Jake?" asked the colonel.

"Didn't you hear?" said Kasker. "My boy's been shot--my little Jakie!"
Tears came to his eyes.

"Dear me!" exclaimed Mary Louise, with ready sympathy; "I hope he--he
isn't dead?"

"No," said Kasker, wiping his eyes, "not that, thank God. A shell
splinter took out a piece of his leg--my little Jakie's leg!--and he's
in a hospital at Soissons. His letter says in a few weeks he can go
back to his company. I got a letter from his captain, too. The captain
says Jakie is a good soldier and fights like wild-cats. That's what he
says of Jakie!"

"Still," said Colonel Hathaway, with a puzzled look, "I do not quite
understand why you should decorate so profusely on account of so sad an
event."

"Sad!" exclaimed the clothing man, "not a bit. That's glory, the way
_I_ look at it, Colonel. If my Jakie's blood is spilled for his
country, and he can go back and spill it again, it makes great honor
for the name of Kasker. Say, once they called me pro-German, 'cause I
said I hated the war. Don't my Jakie's blood put my name on America's
honor roll? I'm pretty proud of Jakie," he wiped his eyes again; "I'll
give him an interest in the business, if he comes back. And if he
don't--if those cursed Germans put an end to him--then folks will say,
'See Jake Kasker over there? Well, he gave his son for his country--his
only son.' Seems to me, Colonel, that evens the score. America gives us
Germans protection and prosperity, and we give our blood to defend
America's honor. I'm sorry I couldn't find a place for any more flags."

The colonel and Mary Louise were both a little awed, but as Kasker
accompanied them to the door, they strove to express their sympathy and
approval. As they parted, however, the man leaned over and whispered:
"Just the same, I hate the war. But, if it _has_ to be, let's stand
together to fight and win it!"
* * * * * * * *
"Gran'pa Jim," said Mary Louise, when they were on the street again,
"I'm ashamed. I once told you