Page:War; or, What happens when one loves one's enemy, John Luther Long, 1913.djvu/213

MORE MYSTERY Jon was silent for a long time afterward.

Finally I says:

"Well, Jonthy?"

"Daddy, I got to confess, at last, that I don't understand it."

"Some one has given us a mighty bad name with the Unions—Ben Crider, I suppose. Well, before I go I'll take a licking out of his hide."

But Jon shakes his head.

"I hardly think that would help us. We have done the one thing that will. No one can question, further, the Unionism of men who enlist. Anyhow, it seems to me that the trouble is deeper than Crider. However, there is no use in worrying Evelyn and Dave about it."

"Don't you think they smell a rat?" asks I.

"No," smiles nice old Jon, "not even a mouse!"