ith
me. I have wished many times since war was declared that my mother was
alive and I could have talked the situation over with her. My father, as
I told you, is dead against me. He thinks I am a renegade and a disgrace
to him and to his name, and a lot of stuff like that. It seems his
brothers all fought in the Civil War and were officers and it has been
the regret of his life he was too young. I wish he had the chance
offered him now instead of me," he concluded like a surly boy, with all
his gallantry departed.

"But what are you going to do?" Gerry insisted, her interest in him
remaining so far unaffected by his attitude.

"Oh, I am too plagued healthy, so the doctor won't help me out. I hoped
to be released on the score of ill health at first. But later I sent in
a claim saying I could not be released for war service because I was the
sole support of my parent and had to be left here to look after the
ranch. I don't see why raising beans cannot be considered war work?
Father insists he can run the place himself and I am afraid he won't
stand by me when the exemption board asks him concerning the truth of
my claim. Pretty tough when a fellow's own father is anxious to get him
off his hands to the extent of possibly being killed."

Felipe laid his guitar down on the piazza and in spite of the fact that
he must have been at least twenty-two or twenty-three years old, Gerry
found herself with a ridiculous desire to comfort him.

"It is just a difference of opinion," she said softly. "I don't believe
if I were you I would blame my father, and he should have the same
respect for you. I never thought of the question before, but I have
decided tonight I do not believe in the draft. Isn't there anything else
you can do, if this one exemption claim fails?"

Felipe Morris rose up, shrugging his shoulders impatiently. He was so
foreign in his appearance that the movement seemed natural.

"Oh, yes, I can slip away into Mexico and remain until the war is over.
I have been thinking of it as a possibility. But of course if I am
caught I shall be put into prison as a deserter."

Then he stood gazing down upon Gerry with a bewildered expression.

"I wonder why I have entrusted my fate to you in this fashion? You
understand that if you should ever tell what I have confided to you,
things would be all over with me."

Gerry also rose. "Shall we walk about your garden for a little?" she
said. "I am tired of sitting still so l