he
Patriotic Fund and how splendidly it was mounting up into the hundreds
of thousands, and of the Women's War Association, of which she was
Secretary, and of the Young Women's War Organisation, of which she was
President; and all with such animation, with such radiant smiles, with
such flashing eyes, such keen swift play of thought and wit that Larry
could hardly believe his eyes and ears, so immense was the change
that had taken place in Jane during these ten months. He could hardly
believe, as he glanced across the table at her vivid face, that this
brilliant, quick-witted, radiant girl was the quiet, demure Jane of his
college days, his good comrade, his chum, whom he had been inclined to
patronise. What was this that had come to her? What had released those
powers of mind and soul which he could now recognise as being her own,
but which he had never seen in action. As in a flash it came to him that
this mighty change was due to the terribly energising touch of War.
The development which in normal times would have required years to
accomplish, under the quickening impulse of this mighty force which in a
day was brought to bear upon the life of Canada, this development became
a thing of weeks and months only. War had poured its potent energies
through her soul and her soul had responded in a new and marvellous
efflorescence. Almost over night as it were the flower of an exquisite
womanhood, strong, tender, sweet, beautiful, had burst into bloom. Her
very face was changed. The activities with which her days and nights
were filled had quickened all her vital forces so that the very texture
and colour of her skin radiated the bloom of vigorous mental and
physical health. Yet withal there remained the same quick, wise
sympathy, quicker, wiser than before war's poignant sorrows had
disciplined her heart; the same far-seeing vision that anticipated
problems and planned for their solution; the same proud sense of honour
that scorned things mean and gave quick approval to things high. As he
listened Larry felt himself small and poor in comparison with her. More
than that he had the sense of being excluded from her life. The war
and its activities, its stern claims, its catastrophic events had taken
possession of the girl's whole soul. Was there a place for him in this
new, grand scheme of life? A new and terrible master had come into the
lordship of her heart. Had love yielded its high place? To that question
Larry was determ