Ted Marsh on an Important Mission

by Elmer Sherwood

  "Hello, Pop--what's the trouble?" asked Dean.

  "Hello, Jack. I can't say whether it's trouble or not. What I want isadvice. Maybe you can give it to me, although I figured Mrs. Deanwould be better."

  "Tell me, I may be able to help." Dean was surprised at the agitationof the older man.

  Pop told his story. He did not keep any of the details from Dean. Thelatter listened, his astonishment growing all the time.

  "You see, Jack, it's this way. If they come here, my wife will see me.She probably hates me. I cannot hope that she will understand. On theother hand, I want so much to be with her, I am going to be foremanand that means I can support her comfortably. But I probably wouldmake her miserable if I entered into her life again. What do yousay?"

  "Let us ask Mrs. Dean. She will give you the right answer."

  Mrs. Dean listened. There was no hesitation in her answer.

  "Go to Chicago at once. You need not worry about how your wife willtake it, nor as to how she feels. I know. She understands better thanyou can ever suppose. Jack, dear, whoever said that God did not weaveour lives? How closely our friends here have been interwoven with ourlives, how much we have been of service to each other.

  "Go to Chicago on the first train," she finished.

  "Yes, and we shall tell Ted. Bring them back with you," added Dean.

  Pop left the house, much relieved. He was happy that his duty waswhat his inclination was--what he craved to do. He joined the othermen.

  Without giving any explanation he told Smiles he would have to be awayfor about ten days and that he had already arranged for the same withJohn Dean.

  Early the next morning he was off. He asked Red to take him down. ToRed he explained the whole thing, that he was coming back with hisfolks.

  "I understand a whole lot of things now. How queerly you acted attimes. I guess I'll call you Marsh, now."

  "Yes, and it's up to you to explain. I shall wire you before you doso. If my wife should decide that she does not want me, I am notcoming back. If she decides she will forgive me, I will telegraph youand you can let it out casually."

  "I will be glad to do so," answered Red. "Is Jack going to tell Ted?"

  "Yes, that's the plan."

  "The boy will be glad. He likes you a lot. But, mostly glad, becauseit will make his mother happy."

  "I hope so much that it will," the older man answered.

  We are not going into details as to the meeting between the Marshes.We, who are acquainted with so much of their story, can imagine whathappened. Bill Marsh left home because he felt he could not hold hishead up nor his wife's respect. He had been very foolish, and it wasthis foolishness, this false pride, even a lack of faith in theunderstanding of his wife that had made him stay away. Who should haveknown him better than his own wife? It was harder to make Helenunderstand. She asked some searching questions, but in the end sherealized the fine manliness of her father.

  The two, mother and daughter, marveled at the coincidence of thefather being at the same place as Ted.

  "The world is a small place, isn't it?" said Mrs. Marsh.

  It did not take very long for them to be ready to leave. Marsh helpedwhere he could and a week after he arrived they left for Big Gulch.Red had paved the way, in accordance with their plan.

  Ted was too surprised to make any comment when he heard the news. Atfirst he was furiously angry at his father. Boylike, he could notforgive certain things which an older person could. It was Mrs. Dean,even more than Red and John Dean, who made him see and understand.

  Then the Marshes came to Big Gulch. Matters adjusted themselves. Itwas a busy time for all. Smiles was off, smiling and glad. So were theother men who were to go. Brave men, all of them, doing their duty asthey saw it. Pop took up his duties as foreman.

  Then the child was born to the Deans. A girl, which seemed like asqualling, ugly baby, much like any other baby, to Ted. But to say soto the mother or to the father or to Mrs. Marsh or to Helen, wouldhave been a great, an awful insult.

  The men came in to see the heir apparent. They seemed clumsy, uncouth,sheepish creatures and all of them were glad to get away, includingPop and Ted.

  With the excitement subsiding, things began again to take a normalaspect. Mrs. Dean began to sit up, the child began to look more like ahuman being, it had been decided that Helen was to rest for a fewmonths and then continue her studies at the nearest preparatoryschool, with the purpose of entering college. John Dean was to leavefor the front in two weeks.

  Our story is almost complete. Ted received a great welcome at theAcademy. The boys had heard of what he had done, of his reward and theletter he had received from Sir Robert Wingate. For one whole day hiscoming made the Great War an even smaller event. Captain Wilson hadgone to Ottawa, he had been promoted to be a major. Some of theinstructors were gone and even one or two of the older students. Thosewho were left spoke only of the time when they, too, could go and theywere bemoaning their misfortune in being young.

  Ted heard from the folks at home. He heard from Helen and somehow hegot the impression that all she spoke about was Red and what a fineman he was. A letter from Red made no mention of Helen, but he did saythat he was getting down to the serious business of thinking of thefuture. Even as young as Ted was, he could guess that they had becomegreat friends and he was glad. His father wrote him that he hadplaced his $1,000.00 in the bank for him, he having settled all thedebts and accounts himself. It was a fine letter and it removed whatresentment still remained with Ted against his father. His mother alsowrote, saying she was wonderfully happy and he got a short note fromJohn Dean before he left. He also heard from Walker, who told him hewas off for the war, but that Strong had to stay.

  Syd Graham and Ted were inseparable. They did many things together andthe plans for the future each of the boys made included the other.There was, of course, a great deal more of military training and manytimes the boys at the Academy were called upon for some duty orother.

  So the days went. Ted received a fall vacation and he went home. Therewas news from the front. Dean had been wounded, so the report came,not seriously, but enough to disable him, and he was returning home.He would always limp. In that awful charge when so many Canadians hadbeen wounded and killed, Smiles had lost his life. It made Ted verysad to think that he would never see the happy, smiling ex-foremanagain. Helen was at school. Ted pumped Red Mack as to Helen and foundhis suspicions confirmed. He teased Red unmercifully and it was onetime when Red was flustered. The Dean baby was a healthy, lustyyoungster of a few months.

  Ted Marsh has his life before him. This story is but one incident ofhis early life. But for later events we must look elsewhere.

  * * * * *

  THE FRIENDLY ANIMAL SERIES

  A series of 9 books of friendly, likeable fun-loving animals, writtenby well known authors of children's books. Each book 64 pages, withlithograph cover in five colors and a number of full pageillustrations. Size 8-1/2 x 6-1/4--64 pages--each 15c.

  Written by Elizabeth Billings Stuart Illustrations by Elsie M. Kroll

  THE FAIRY AND THE BUNNY-TAIL

  Bunny-Tail is a dear little Bunny, who is always finding somethingthat turns every-boy's trouble into happiness. The fairy JOY giveshim a magic password, which makes him quite safe in the company of anyof the forest animals or in the presence of hunters.

  TRICKY MR. FOX

  Tricky Mr. Fox is a sly animal, whose adventures lead him into manypitfalls and mishaps. He becomes the captive of a little Indian boyand later his adoring companion. Tricky Mr. Fox proves his devotionand quick wits by saving the little boy's life when a fire threatens.

  TEDDY BEAR, THE TOY MAKER

  Brownie Bunny is a harum-scarum Bunny, full of mischief and merrypranks. He lives with Teddy Bear and makes Teddy Bear's lifedelightfully miserable until Bunny-Tail persuades him to become aBoy Scout. After this transformation he performs many thrilling andheroic deeds.

  LUCKY, THE BOY
SCOUT

  By ELMER SHERWOOD

  A Fascinating Story. Its Action Covers Chicago and the Far West ofCanada.

  There comes the rumbling of the Big War. German plots are many. Ted'sshare in following these plots, his life at the Double X Ranch and atWayland Academy, make this a book that will hold the absorbedattention of the reader.

  Those who are readers of the Lucky Series know that none of the booksare namby-pamby--there is in all of them the true strain of thingsworthwhile. Honor, faith and courage hold their rightful place.

  WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY

  RACINE

  _Good Books for Boys and Girls_

  THE CAMPFIRE GIRLS AND AUNT MADGE

  THE CAMPFIRE GIRLS' WEEK-END PARTY

  Delightful stories that are sure to be well liked. The titles wouldindicate that they are purely girls' stories but boys will find themequally interesting. Be sure to read them.

  LUCKY, THE YOUNG NAVYMAN

  By ELMER SHERWOOD

  This book follows the story of Lucky, the Young Soldier.

  It deals with Ted Marsh and his service to the American Navy. A bookcomplete in itself in which Mr. Sherwood has brought to play many ofthe incidents of today.

  Great things are happening every day. Ted's great fortune is to have abig share in them.

  A story as good as Lucky, the Boy Scout and Lucky, the Young Soldier.

  WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY

  RACINE

  THE FRIENDLY ANIMAL SERIES

  LAMMIE AND MRS. FUSSY-CAT

  "If you read this book written about me," said Lammie, "you will wishthere were a hundred books to the series the same as mine. Dear me!that was a day! Read the book. You'll just laugh at the pictures.Especially the one where I am riding the little wooden-legged squirrelon my back."

  LAMMIE WANTS TO LEARN

  "Can you do tricks on a pumpkin, the way I can?" asked Lammie. "If youdon't believe I can do them, just look at the picture that Warner Carrdrew of me the day he caught me out in the garden. My, but I washaving a good time until I happened to take a big mouthful ofhorseradish."

  LAMMIE ON A FROLIC

  "Doing tricks on a pumpkin is nothing compared to doing a buck-jump,"said Lammie. "Just watch me," and he wheeled around on one toe andthen jumped straight up in the air, kicking out all four feet at once."Do you see that field over there? Well, that's where I goevery day to eat white clover and I have the best of times, too."

  COMING!!

  TED MARSH & THE ENEMY

  TED MARSH--THE YOUNG VOLUNTEER

  Two great books of present day events. Ted's coolness and daring standhim in good stead and he proves of great value in the service of theGovernment.

  The Lowest Priced And Best Series Of Boys' Books

  THE BUNNY-TAIL SERIES

  by ELIZABETH BILLINGS STUART

  With Full Page Illustrations in Color and in Black and White

  Winkie Bunny-Tail Brownie Bunny and Teddy Bear Mr. Rusty Fox Twinkle Squirrel and Muffle Face Fifteen Little Bunny-Tails

  "Oh, mother," said little Goldi-locks one day as they were hurryingthrough a big Department Store, "do please stop a minute and look atthese books."

  "Which ones, my dear?" asked her mother.

  "The Bunny-Tail Series, of course. All the children are reading them.Even Teacher told us a story out of one of them the other day.Couldn't you buy them for my birthday present?" coaxed the sweetlittle girl. "Just see this picture where the Bunnies are all dressedup and are having a dancing party!"

  Just then a dainty clerk stepped up and smiled as she saw theinterested little girl.

  "It's really wonderful," said she, addressing the mother, "how thechildren love Mrs. Stuart's Bunny-Tail Books. We sell so many of them,all the year 'round. I have read them all to my little nephew and hejust dotes on them."

  Five Titles, Cloth, Size 8-3/4 x 6-1/2. Colored Jackets, 64 Pages.

  ARABIAN NIGHTS STORIES

  _Retold by ELIZABETH BILLINGS STUART_

  With 4 Color and 8 Black and White Illustrations

  by Elsie M. Kroll

  "Tomorrow is Jack's birthday and I don't know what to buy him," saidJill.

  "Does he like books?" asked Phil.

  "He reads all the time," answered Jill.

  "Then why don't you buy him a nice book for his birthday?" asked Phil.

  "I'd love to, but I have only thirty-five cents to spend, and Icouldn't get a nice enough book for that. He likes lots ofpictures--colored ones, too."

  "I know the very book you want," said Phil, all excitement. "It'scalled 'Arabian Nights Stories,' by Mrs. Stuart. You know her, don'tyou? She's the one who wrote 'Winkie Bunny-Tail' and all the rest ofthe Bunny-Tail Series."

  "Goody, goody!" said Jill. "Just to think what a lovely birthdaypresent it will make, and for only thirty-five cents!"

  THE FAMOUS ANIMAL STORIES

  (For Children from Three to Ten Years of Age)

  _"Never Have Animal Stories Made More Fascinating Reading"_

  Hazel Squirrel Tommy Turtle Happy Bunny Baby Pony Bobby Bear Famous Rover

  This series is an innovation in the field of children's books. Sixwonderful animal stories written by Howard M. Famous, each beautifullyillustrated with a full-page colored frontispiece and a number offull-page black and white illustrations.

  Never have animal stories made more fascinating reading. The books arethe kind that will sell all the year round--the children will demandthem. Mr. Famous is at his very best in all these stories--and wepredict that the doings of his animal folks will become knownthroughout the world.

  Six Titles, Cloth, Size 7-1/4 x 5, Colored Jacket, 128 Pages.