Produced by Al Haines
By
1916
I ARMS AND THE MAID
II BREAKING IT GENTLY
III FIRST BLOOD
IV THE RING
V IN UNIFORM
VI MRS. McOSTRICH ENTERTAINS
VII WILLIE STANDS UP
VIII CORRESPONDENCE
IX THE FAT GIRL
X THE ALARM
XI AN INVITATION
XII A TEA-PARTY
XIII MISS TOD RETURNS
XIV AUNT PURDIE INTERVENES
XV THE FAT GIRL AGAIN
XVI CONSCIENCE AND A COCOA-NUT
XVII 'FONDEST LOVE FROM MAGGIE'
XVIII PITY THE POOR PARENTS!
XIX A SERIOUS REVERSE
XX THE REAL THING AT LAST
XXI 'HULLO, GLESCA HIELANDERS!
XXII NO HERO, YET HAPPY
Through the gateway flanked by tall recruiting posters came ratherhurriedly a youth of no great stature, but of sturdy build andcomely enough countenance, including bright brown eyes and freshcomplexion. Though the dull morning was coldish, perspirationmight have been detected on his forehead. Crossing the street,without glance to right or left, he increased his pace; also, hesquared his shoulders and threw up his head with an air that mighthave been defiance at the fact of his being more than an hour latefor his day's work. His face, however, betrayed a certainspiritual emotion not suggestive of anticipated trouble withemployer or foreman. As a matter of fact, the familiar everydayduty had ceased to exist for him, and if his new exaltation wavereda little as he neared the warehouse, fifteen minutes later, it wasonly because he would have to explain things to the uncle whoemployed him, and to other people; and he was ever shy of speakingabout himself.
So he hurried through the warehouse without replying to thechaffing inquiries of his mates, and ran upstairs to his uncle'soffice. He was not afraid of his uncle; on the other hand, he hadnever received or expected special favour on account of therelationship.
Mr. Purdie was now a big man in the grocery trade. He had a cosyprivate room with a handsome desk, a rather gorgeous carpet and aneasy-chair. He no longer attended at the counter or tied upparcels—except when, alone on the premises late in the evening, hewould sometimes furtively serve imaginary customers, just for auldlang syne, as he excused to himself his absurd proceeding.
'But what kep' ye late, Macgreegor?' he inquired, with a futileeffort to make his good-humoured, whiskered visage assume a sternexpression. 'Come, come, oot wi' it! An 'unce o' guid reasons isworth a pun' o' fair apologies.'
'The recruitin' office,' said Macgregor, blushing, 'wasna open tillnine.'
'The recruitin' office! What—what—guidsake, laddie! dinna tellme ye've been thinkin' o' enlistin'!'
'I've enlisted.'
Mr. Purdie fell back in his chair.
'The 9th H.L.I.,' said Macgregor, and, as if to improve matters ifpossible, added, 'Glesca Hielanders—Kilts.'
The successful grocer sat up, pulled down his waistcoat and made agrimace which he imagined to be a frown. 'Neither breeks norkilts,' he declared heavily, 'can cover deceit. Ye're under age,Macgreegor. Ye're but eichteen!'
'Nineteen, Uncle Purdie.'