ght without delay to discuss what preliminary
steps should be taken to meet with the critical conditions brought on by
the war."

"But, Mr. Murray," cried Mrs. Rushbrooke, who was standing by her
husband's side, "they are all so happy it would seem a great pity to
introduce this horrible thing at such a time."

"Do you really think it necessary, Murray?" said Mr. Rushbrooke, who was
an older man than Mr. Murray, and who was unwilling to accede to him any
position of dominance in the business world of Winnipeg. "There's really
nothing we can do. It seems to me that we must keep our heads and as far
as possible prevent undue excitement and guard against panic."

"Perhaps you are right, Mr. Rushbrooke. The thought in my mind was that
we ought to get a meeting together in Winnipeg soon. But everybody is
away. A great many are here at the Lake; it seemed a good opportunity to
make some preliminary arrangement."

"My dear Mr. Murray," said Mrs. Rushbrooke, "I cannot help feeling that
you take this too seriously, besides there can hardly be need for such
precipitate action. Of course, we are at war, and Canada will do her
part, but to introduce such a horrible theme in a company of young
people seems to me to be somehow out of place."

"Very well, Mrs. Rushbrooke, if you say so. I have no desire to
intrude," said Mr. Murray.

"But, Mr. Rushbrooke, the thing has to be faced," interposed Mr.
McPherson. "We cannot shut our eyes to the fact of war, and this is the
supreme fact in our national life to-day. Everything else is secondary."

"Oh, I do not agree with you, Mr. McPherson," said Mrs. Rushbrooke,
taking the word out of her husband's mouth. "Of course war is terrible
and all that, but men must do their work. The Doctor here must continue
to look after his sick, Mr. Murray has his business, you must care for
your congregation."

"I do not know about that, Mrs. Rushbrooke," said the minister. "I do
not know about that at all."

"Why, Mr. McPherson, you surprise me! Must not my husband attend to his
business, must not the Doctor look after his patients?"

A number of men had gathered about during the course of the
conversation. "No," said Mr. McPherson, his voice ringing out in decided
tones. "There is only one 'must' for us now, and that is War. For the
Empire, for every man, woman, and child in Canada, the first thing, and
by comparison the only thing, is War."

That dread word rang out sharp, insistent, penetrat