The White Shield

[Illustration: "Do you remember that awful quarrel we had about annexing Canada to the United States?" asked Robert. From the Drawing by Dalton Stevens.]

Contents

PAGE PREFACE v MORNING vii THE WHITE SHIELD 3 AN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR 21 A CHILD OF SILENCE 47 THE DWELLER IN BOHEMIA 63 A MINOR CHORD 79 THE MADONNA OF THE TAMBOURINE 87 A MISTRESS OF ART 103 A ROSARY OF TEARS 119 THE ROSES AND THE SONG 141 A LAGGARD IN LOVE 151 TRÄUMEREI 169 "SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT" 175 THE FACE OF THE MASTER 189 A REASONABLE COURTSHIP 209 ELMIRY ANN'S VALENTINE 227 THE KNIGHTHOOD OF TONY 247 HER VOLUNTEER 269 IN REFLECTED GLORY 283 THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL 299 FROM A HUMAN STANDPOINT 319

The Editor desires to make acknowledgment to the publishers of the following magazines for their courtesy in permitting the use of certain stories in this collection: Munsey's Magazine, The New England Magazine, The Pilgrim, The Smart Set, The Woman's Magazine, The National Magazine, Outing.

Preface

The editor takes great pleasure in being able to give to the public another volume from the pen of the lamented author--Myrtle Reed. These fascinating bits of fiction reflect the characteristics of the writer; the same vivid imagination, the quick transition from pathos to humour, the facility of utterance, the wholesome sentiment, the purity of thought, the delicacy of touch, the spontaneous wit which endeared her to friends and to thousands of readers, not only in Europe and America, but also in Australia and South Africa, are here fully represented.

Her mission was largely one of comfort to the suffering and the sorrowing; letters of good cheer went to far-away countries where her personal ministry could reach in no other way, and her writings are rich with sympathy and hope which have poured the oil of gladness into many a wounded spirit.

Pathos is not sadness, but it is rather the sunshine gleaming through a passing cloud, and hence the writings of Myrtle Reed are illumined with the gladsome light of unfailing love. Not only in her books and in letters to troubled souls, but also in her personal records, we find the unfading lines of a deeply devotional nature which was sacredly guarded from the careless observer and seldom discussed even with friends. But in this abiding faith was rooted the brave loyalty and high purpose which not only characterised herself, but also all of her productions.

The beautiful stories here presented have given pleasure to thousands of readers in the magazines in which they first came into print, and it is to the unvarying courtesy of the publishers that we are indebted for the privilege of thus binding the scattered grain into a single golden sheaf.

For the many letters of sincere sympathy which, in response to a formal request, have come from these stranger-friends, the editor is especially grateful.

ELIZABETH A. REED. CHICAGO, February, 1912.

Morning BY MYRTLE REED

The magic East lies in enchanted shadow-- A Titan dreaming fitfully of day, The ghostly mists are deep upon the meadow Outlined against the hillside faintly grey; The portent of the dawn has strangely swayed The silver birches, trembling and afraid. Too long the hosts of Dark have held the plain, The King of Night at last must end his reign; With rapturous accord doth earth acclaim The tidings of new life for heart and brain, Behold the night hath passed away in flame!

Sea-born and strong, the winds begin to blow Against the cliffs, the billows break in spray; Returning waters meet and overflow-- White-plumed battalions marshalled for the fray; Upon the beach the foaming cavalcade Beats yet once more with rhythmic cannonade. Afar the boundless reaches of the main Show lines of white that fall and rise again, A morning song the sea's lips soon shall frame, Insistent and with passionate refrain, Behold the night hath passed away in flame! Athwart the sombre East there comes a glow-- A thrill, a tremble, then a slender ray, A single arrow from the sun-god's bow Strikes on the zenith like a star astray; Swiftly does the light of Venus fade, Her gentle radiance for the night was made. The distant hills take on a crimson stain From fire-poppies set in golden grain That wrought of light puts harvest fields to shame; Through feathery clouds there creeps a scarlet vein, Behold the night hath passed away in flame!