 Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls by L. Frank Baum. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Just a word. The object of this little story is not especially to encourage loyalty and devotion to one's country, for these are sentiments firmly enshrined in the hearts of all true American girls. It is rather intended to show what important tasks girls may accomplish when spurred on by patriotism, and that none is too humble to substantially serve her country. Organizations of Liberty Girls are possible in every city and hamlet in America, and are effective not only in times of war, but in times of peace, for always their country needs them, always there is work for their busy hands. One other message the story hopes to carry, the message of charity towards all and malice towards none. When shadows are darkest, those who can lighten the gloom are indeed the blessed ones. Edith Van Dyne. Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls by L. Frank Baum. CHAPTER I. THE MASS MEETING. One might reasonably think that all door-field had turned out to attend the much-advertised meeting. The masses completely filled the big public square. The flaring torches, placed at set intervals, lighted fitfully the faces of the people. Faces sober, earnest, thoughtful, all turned in the direction of the speaker's platform. Mr. Peter Canaud, the chairman, a prominent attorney of door-field, was introducing the orator of the evening, Colonel James Hathaway, whose slender, erect form and handsome features crowned with snow-wide hair, arrested the attention of all. You have been told, began the old Colonel in a clear ringing voice, of our nation's imperative needs. Money must be provided to conduct the great war on which we have embarked. Money for our new army. Money for shipbuilding. Money for our allies. And the people of America are permitted to show their loyalty and patriotism by subscribing for bonds, bonds of the rich and powerful United States, that all may participate in our noble struggle for the salvation of democracy and the peace of the world. These bonds, which you are asked to buy, bear interest. You will be investing in the corporation of right, justice and freedom, with the security of the nation as your shield. As a stockholder in this noblest of corporations you risk nothing, but you gain the distinction of personally assisting to defeat civilization's defiant and ruthless enemy. Out of applause interrupted the speaker. On one of the rows of seats at the back of the stand sat Mary Louise Burroughs, the granddaughter of Colonel Hathaway, with several of her girlfriends, and her heart leaped with pride to witness the ovation accorded her dear Grandpa Jim. With well-chosen words the old gentleman continued his discourse, stating succinctly the necessity of the liberty bond issue, and impressing upon his hearers the righteousness of the cause for which this money was required. The allotment of Dorfield, he added, is one million dollars, seemingly a huge sum for our little city to raise and invest, but really insignificant when apportioned among those who can afford to subscribe. There is not a man among you who cannot, without hardship, purchase at least one fifty dollar bond. Many of you can invest thousands. Yet we are approaching our time limit, and so far less than two hundred thousand dollars worth of these magnificent liberty bonds have been purchased in our community. But five days remain to us to subscribe the remaining eight hundred thousand dollars, and thereby preserve the honor of our fair city. That eight hundred thousand dollars will be subscribed. We must subscribe it, else will the finger of scorn justly be pointed at us for ever after. Another round of applause. Mr. Connaught and Mr. Jazzwell, the banker, and other prominent members of the Liberty Loan Committee, began to look encouraged and to take heart. Of course they'll subscribe it, whispered Mary Louise to her friend Elora Jones. The thing has looked like a failure lately, but I knew if Grandpa Jim talked to the slackers they'd see their plain duty, Grandpa Jim knows how to stir them to action. Gradually the applause subsided. The faces of the multitude that thronged about the stand seemed to Mary Louise stern and resolved, determined to prove their loyalty and devotion to their country. And now Mr. Jazzwell advanced and seated himself at a table, while Mr. Connaught requested those present to come forward and enter their subscriptions for the bonds. He urged them to subscribe generously, in proportion to their means, and ask them not to crowd but to pass in line across the platform as swiftly as possible. Let us raise that entire eight hundred thousand tonight, shouted the colonel in clarion tones. The band struck up a popular war-tune, and the banker dipped a pen and ink, and held it ready for the onslaught of signers. But no one came forward. Each man looked curiously at his neighbor but stood fast in his place. The city, even to its furthest suburbs, had already been systematically canvassed by the committee, and their efforts had resulted in a bare two hundred thousand dollars. Of this sum, Colonel Hathaway had himself subscribed twenty-five thousand. Noting the hesitation of his townsmen, the old gentleman again arose and faced them. The band had stopped playing, and there was an ominous silence. Let me encourage you, said Colonel Hathaway, by taking another twenty-five thousand dollars' worth of these wonderful bonds. Put me down for that amount, Mr. Jazzwell. Now then, who are the patriots eager to follow my lead? There was applause, somewhat more mild in character, but none came forward. Allure's father, Jason Jones, who had already signed for fifty thousand dollars, rose and added another twenty-five thousand to that sum. This act elicited another ripple of applause. More questioning looks were exchanged between those assembled, but there were no further offers to subscribe. The hearts of the committeemen fell. Was this meeting, on which they had so greatly depended, destined to prove a failure after all? Jake Casker, the owner of Casker's clothing emporium, finally made his way to the platform, and mounting the steps faced his townspeople. There was a little murmur of surprise and a sudden tension. The man had been distrusted in door-feel of late. "'You all know what I think about this war,' said Casker, in a loud voice, and with a slight German accent. "'I don't approve of it, whatever anyone says, and I think we were wrong to get into it anyhow.' "'A storm of hisses and cries of shame,' saluted him, but he waited stolidly for the demonstration to subside. Then he continued, "'But whatever I may think about the war, I want to tell you that this flag that now waves over my head is as much my flag as it is yours, for I'm an American citizen. Where that flag goes, Jake Casker will follow, no matter what fools carry the standard. If they don't think I'm too old to go to France, I'll pack up and go to-morrow. That's Jake Casker, with a Dutch name but a Yankee heart. Some of you down there got Yankee names and hearts that make the Kaiser laugh. I wouldn't trade with you. Now hear this. I ain't rich, you know that, but I'll take two thousand dollars worth of liberty-bonds." Someone laughed, jeeringly. Another shouted, "'Make it three thousand, Jake.' "'I will,' said Casker, and if there ain't enough of you war-crazy yellow-hearted patriots in Dorfield to take what we got to take, then I'll make it five thousand. But if I have to do that, and I can't afford it but I'll do it, it's me, Jake Casker, that'll cry shame, and hiss like a goose whenever you slackers pass my door.' There was more laughter, a few angry shouts, and a movement toward the platform. The German signed to the paper Mr. Jazzwell placed before him and withdrew. Soon there was a line extending from the banker's table to the crowd below, and the signatures for bonds were slowly but steadily secured. Colonel Hathaway faced the German clothier, who stood a few paces back, a cynical grin upon his features. "'Thank you, Casker,' said the old gentleman in a cold voice. "'You have really helped us, although you should have omitted those traitorous words. They poisoned a deed you might have been proud of.' "'We don't agree, Colonel,' replied Casker with a shrug. "'When I talk, I'm honest. I say what I think.' He turned and walked away, and Colonel Hathaway looked after him with an expression of dislike. "'I wonder why he did it,' whispered Mary Louise, who had overheard the exchange of words and marked Casker's dog-it opposition. "'He bought the bonds as a matter of business,' replied Laura Hilton. "'It's a safe investment, and Casker knows it. Besides that, he may have had an idea it would disarm suspicion.' "'Also,' added a Laura Jones, he took advantage of the opportunity to slam the war. That was worth something to a man like Casker.' CHAPTER II When Mary Louise entered the library the next morning she found her grandfather seated at the table, his head resting on his extended arms in an attitude of great depression. The young girl was startled. "'What is it, Grandpa Jim?' she asked, going to his side and laying a hand lovingly on his shoulder. The old gentleman looked up with a face drawn and gray. "'I'm nervous and restless, my dear,' he said. "'That's all. Go to breakfast, Mary Louise. I—I'll join you presently.' She sat down on the arm of his chair. "'Haven't you slept well, Grandpa?' she asked anxiously, and then her eyes wandered through the open door to the next room and rested on the undisturbed bed. "'Why, you haven't slept at all, dear,' she cried in distress. "'What is wrong? Are you ill?' "'No—no, Mary Louise. Don't worry. I—I shall be all right presently. But I was terribly disappointed in last night's meeting, and—I see. They didn't subscribe what they ought to. But you can't help that, Grandpa Jim. You did all that was possible, and you mustn't take it so much to heart. It is so important, child—more important, I fear, than many of them guess. This will be a desperate war, and without the money to fight—'Oh, the money'll come, Grandpa, I'm sure of that. If Dorfield doesn't do its duty, the rest of the country will. So you mustn't feel badly about our failure. In fact, we haven't failed as yet. How much did they subscribe last night?' In all, a hundred and thirty thousand. We have now secured barely a third of our allotment, and only five days more to get the balance. Mary Louise reflected, eyeing him seriously. Grandpa, said she, you've worn yourself out with work and worry. They ought not to have put you on this liberty-bond committee. You're too old, and you're not well or strong enough to endure all the anxiety and hard work. For the honour of—'Yes, I know, dear. Our country needs you, so you mustn't break down. Now come and drink a cup of coffee, and I'll talk to you. I have a secret to tell you.' He smiled rather wanly and hopelessly, but he permitted the girl to assist him to rise and to lead him to the breakfast-room. There Mary Louise poured his coffee and attacked her own breakfast, although with indifferent appetite. Grandpa Jim was the only relative she had in all the world and she loved him devotedly. Their life in the pretty little town had been peaceful and happy until recently—until the war. But the old Colonel, loyal veteran that he was, promptly made it his war and was roused as Mary Louise had never seen him roused before. In his mind was no question of the justice of our country's participation in the world's struggle. He was proud to be an American and gloried in America's sacrifice to the cause of humanity. Too old to fight on the battlefield, he felt honoured at his appointment to the membership of the liberty-bond committee and threw all his energies into the task assigned him. So it is easy to understand that the coldness and reluctance to subscribe for bonds on the part of his fellow townsmen had well nigh broken his heart. This the girl, his closest companion, fully appreciated. Grandpa, she said, regarding him across the table after their old black mammy, Aunt Sally had left them together. I love my country as you know, but I love you better. Oh, Mary Louise! It's true and it's right that I should. If I had to choose between letting the Germans capture the United States or losing you, I'd let the Germans come. That's honest and it's the way I feel. Love for one's country is a fine sentiment, but my love for you is deeper. I wouldn't whisper this to anyone else, for no one else could understand it. But you will understand it, Grandpa Jim. And you know my love for you doesn't prevent my still being as good an American as the average. However, continued the young girl in a lighter tone, I have no desire to lose you or allow the Germans to whip us if I can help it, so I've got two battles to fight. The truth is, Grandpa, that you're used up with the hard work of the last few weeks, and in other five days of begging for subscriptions would wreck you entirely. So you're to stop short, this very minute, and rest up and take it easy and not worry. But my dear, see here, Grandpa Jim, with assumed sternness, you've worked hard to secure a Dorfield's quota and you've failed. Why the biggest subscribers for bonds in the whole city are you and Jason Jones. There's plenty of wealth in Dorfield, and over at the mills and factories are thousands of workmen who can buy bonds. But you and your committee don't know how to interest the people in your proposition. The people are loyal enough, but they don't understand, and you don't know how to make them understand. No, he said, shaking his head dolefully. They're a dense lot, and we can't make them understand. Well, I can, said Mary Louise cheerfully. You, child! Yes, you mustn't imagine I've tackled the problem this very morning. I've been considering it for some time, and I've talked and consulted with Elora and Irene and Laura and the other girls about the best way to redeem the situation. We knew the situation was desperate long before last night's meeting. So all our plans are made, and we believe we can sell all the bonds required. It was our policy to keep silent until we knew what the big mass beating last night would accomplish, but we suspected it would turn out just the way it did, a fizzle. So the job's up to us, and if you'll sit quiet, Grandpa Jim, and let us girls do the work, we'll put Dorfield in the honour column by Saturday night. This is nonsense," exclaimed the Colonel, but there was an accent of hope in his voice, nevertheless. We girls are thoroughly organised, said Mary Louise, and we'll sell the bonds. Girls. Why, just think of it, Grandpa Jim. Who could refuse a group of young girls, earnest and enthusiastic girls? The trouble with you men is that you accept all sorts of excuses. They tell you they're hard up and can't spare the money. There's a mortgage to pay, or taxes, or notes to meet, and they can't afford it anyway. But that kind of talk won't do when we girls get after them. What arguments can you use that we have disregarded? First we'll coax, then we'll appeal to their patriotism, then we'll threaten them with scorn and approbrium, which they'll richly deserve if they hang on till it comes to that. If the threats don't make them buy, we'll cry, and every tear will sell a bond. The Colonel stirred his coffee thoughtfully. You might try it, he suggested. I've read that in some cities the Boy Scouts have been successful in placing the bonds. It's an honourable undertaking in any event, but I hope you will meet with no insults. If that rank pro-German Jake Casker will buy bonds, there isn't a man in Dorfield who can give a logical excuse for not doing likewise, declared Mary Louise. I'm going to use Casker to shame the rest of them. But before I undertake this job I shall make a condition, Grandpa. You must stay quietly at home while we girls do the work. Oh, I could not do that, Mary Louise. You're not fit to leave the house. Will you try my plan for one day, just for today? I'll think it over, dear, he said, rising. She assisted him to the library and then ran down the street to the doctor's office. Dr. McGrure, she said, go over at once and see my grandfather. She was completely exhausted with the work of selling liberty bonds. Be sure you order him to keep at home and remain quiet, at least for today. End of Chapter 2 Read by Cibella Denton. For more free audiobooks or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Chapter 3 of Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls by L. Frank Baum. Read for LibriVox.org into the public domain. THE LIBRIITY GIRLS An hour later six girls met at the home of Elora Jones, who lived with her father in a fine mansion across the street from Colonel Hathaway's residence. These girls were prepared to work, and worked diligently, under the leadership of Mary Louise, where they had been planning and discussing this event for several days, patiently awaiting the word to start their campaign. Some girls, said Mary Louise, are knitting, and that's a good thing to do in a way. Others are making pajamas and pillows for the Red Cross, and that's also an admirable thing to do. But our duty lies on a hire plane, for we're going to get money to enable Uncle Sam to take care of our soldier boys. Do—do you think we can make people buy bonds? asked little Laura Hilton, with a trace of doubt in her voice. Mary Louise gave her a severe look. We not only can, but we shall make people buy, she replied. We shall ask them very pritally, and they cannot refuse us. We've all been loaded to the brim with arguments, if arguments are necessary, but we haven't time to gossip with folks. A whole lot of money must be raised, and there's a short time to do it in. It seems to me, remarked Edna Barlow earnestly, we're wasting time just now. Let's get busy. Well, get on your costumes, girls, suggested Elora Jones. They are all here in this big box, and the banners are standing in the hall. It's after nine now, and by ten o'clock we must all be at work. They proceeded to dress themselves in the striking costumes they had secretly prepared—a blue silk waist with white stars scattered over it, a red and white striped skirt, the stripes running from waistband to hem, a goddess of liberty cap, and white canvas shoes. Attired in this fashion, the liberty girls, as they dubbed themselves, presented a most attractive and patriotic appearance, and as they filed out through the hall, each seized a handsome silken banner, gold-fringed, which bore the words, by bonds of Dorfield's liberty girls. Now, then, said Mary Louise, we have each been allotted a certain district in the business part of the city, for which we are individually responsible. Each one knows what she is expected to do. Let no one escape. If a man claims to have already bought bonds, make him buy more. And remember, we are all to meet at my house at one o'clock for luncheon, and to report progress. A block away they secured seeds in a streetcar, and a few minutes thereafter reached the four corners, the intersection of the two principal streets of Dorfield. But on the way they had sold old Jonathan Dodd, who happened to be in the car, and was over-odd by the display of red, white, and blue, two hundred dollars' worth of bonds. As for old man Dodd, he realized he was trapped, and bought his limit with a sigh of resignation. As they separated at the four corners, each to follow her appointed route, many surprised, if not startled, citizens regarded the liberty girls with approving eyes. They were pretty girls, all of them, and their silken costumes were really becoming. The Patriots gazed admiringly. The more selfish citizens gave a little shiver of dismay, and scurried off to escape meeting these aggressive ones, whose gorgeous banners frankly proclaimed their errand. Mary Louise entered the bank on the corner and made inquiry for Mr. Chaswell the President. We're off at last, sir, she said, smiling at his bewildered looks, and we girls are determined to make the Dorfield people do their full duty. May we depend upon your bank to fulfill your promises, and carry those bond buyers who wish to make time payments? To be sure, my dear, replied the banker, I'd no idea you young ladies were to wear uniforms, but you certainly look fascinating if you're a fair sample of the others, and I don't see how anyone can refuse to back up our girls in their patriotic drive. God bless you, Mary Louise, and help you to achieve your noble object. There were many offices in the building above the bank, and the girl visited every one of them. Her appearance, garbed in the national colours and bearing her banner, was a sign of conquest, for it seemed to these busy men as if Uncle Sam himself was backing this crusade, and all their latent patriotism was stirred to the depths. So they surrendered at discretion and signed for the bonds. Mary Louise was modest and sweet and demeanor. Her pleas were as pleasant as they were persuasive. There was nothing virulent or dominant in her attitude. But when she said, Really, Mr. So-and-So, you ought to take more bonds than that, you can afford it and our country needs the money, the argument was generally effective, and when she had smilingly pinned the bond button on a man's coat and passed on to interview others, she left him wondering why he had bought more bonds than he had ever intended to, or even provoked himself that he had subscribed it all. These were the people who had generally resisted all former pleadings of the regular committee, and had resolved to ignore the bond sale altogether. But perhaps their chagrin was equaled by their satisfaction in having been won over by a pretty girl, whose manner and appearance were alike irresistible. The men of Dorfield are a fair sample of men everywhere. At this period the full meaning of the responsibilities we had assumed in this tremendous struggle was by no means fully realized. The war was too far away, and life at home was still running in its accustomed grooves. They could not take the European war to themselves, nor realize that it might sweep away their prosperity, their liberties, even their homes. Fear had not yet been aroused. Pity for our suffering and hard-pressed allies was still lightly considered. The war had not struck home to the hearts of the people as it has done since. I doubt if even Mary Louise fully realized the vital importance of the work she had undertaken. When the Liberty girls met at Colonel Hathaway's for a light luncheon, their eyes were sparkling with enthusiasm and their cheeks rosey from successful efforts. Their individual sales varied, of course, for some were more tactful and winning than others, but all had had substantial results to report. We've taken Dorfield by storm, was their exultant cry. All together, said Mary Louise, figuring up the amounts, we've sold thirty-two thousand dollars worth of bonds this morning. That's encouraging for three hours' work, but it's not enough to satisfy us. We must put in a busy afternoon and try to get a total of at least one hundred thousand by tonight. Tomorrow we must do better than that. Work as late as you can, girls, and at eight o'clock we will meet again at Alora's house and compare results. The girls needed no urging to resume their work, for already they had gained confidence in their ability and were inspired to renewed effort. Mary Louise had optimistic plans for that afternoon's work. She first visited the Big Flower Mill, where she secured an interview with Mr. Chisholm, the president and general manager. We can't buy bonds, he said previously. Our business is being ruined by the high price of wheat and the absurd activities of Hoover. We stand to operate at a loss or else shut down altogether. The government ought to pay us compensation instead of asking us to contribute to the war. However, if we fail to win the war, Mary Louise quietly replied, your enormous investment here will become worthless. Isn't it better to lose a little now for the sake of future winnings, than to sacrifice the past and future and be reduced to poverty? We are asking you to save yourself from threatened danger, the national calamity that would follow our defeat in this war. He sat back in his chair and looked at the girl in amazement. She was rather young to have conceived such ideas. Well, there's time enough to consider all that, he said less gruffly. You'll have to excuse me now, Miss Burroughs. I'm busy. But Mary Louise kept her seat and redoubled her arguments, which were logical and straight to the point. Mr. Chisholm's attitude might have embarrassed her had she been pleading a personal favour, but she felt she was the mouthpiece of the President, of the Nation, of the world-wide democracy, and would not allow herself to feel annoyed. She devoted three quarters of an hour to Mr. Chisholm, who gradually thought in her genial sunshine. She finally sold him fifty thousand dollars' worth of liberty bonds and went on her way elated. The regular bond committee had labored for weeks with this stubborn man, who managed one of the largest enterprises in Dorfield, yet they had signally failed to convince him or to induce him to subscribe a dollar. The girl had succeeded in less than an hour and sold him exactly the amount he should have bought. The mill subscription was a powerful leverage with which to pry money from other reluctant ones. Stacks, Selam and Stacks, the big department store here to foreresisting all appeals, bought from Mary Louise's bonds to the amount of twenty-five thousand. The Dennis Hardware Company took ten thousand. Then Mary Louise met her first serious rebuke. She went into Silas Herring's wholesale grocery establishment and told Mr. Herring she wanted to sell him bonds. "'This is outrageous,' cried Herring, indignantly. "'When the men can't rob us or force us to back England in her selfish schemes, they set girls on us to weadle us out of money we have honestly earned. This hold-up game won't work, I assure you, and I advise you to get into more respectable business. My money is mine. It doesn't belong to the Allies, and they won't get a cent of it.' He was getting more angry as he proceeded in his Herring. Moreover, he continued, our weak administration can't use me to help it out of the hole it has foolishly stumbled into, or make America the cat's paw to pull British chestnuts out of the fire. You ought to be ashamed, Miss Burroughs, to lend yourself to such unpatriotic methods of bulldozing honest citizens.' Mary Louise was distressed but undaunted. The man was monstrously wrong, and she knew it. Sitting in Mr. Herring's private office at the time were Professor John Dyer, the superintendent of Dorfield Schools, and the Honorable Andrew Duncan, a leading politician, a former representative and now one of the county supervisors. The girl looked at Professor Dyer, whom she knew slightly, and said pleadingly, "'Want you to fend our administration and our country, Mr. Dyer?' He smiled deprecatingly, but did not speak. He was a tall, lean man, quite round-shouldered and of studious appearance. He wore double eyeglasses, underneath which his eyes were somewhat watery. The smile upon his thin features was a stationary one, not as if assumed, but molded with the features and lacking geniality. It was the Honorable Andrew Duncan who answered the liberty girl. The difference between Mr. Herring and eighty percent of the American people, said he instilted pompous tones, is that our friend Herring unwisely voices his protest, while the others merely think, and consider it the part of wisdom to say nothing. "'I don't believe that,' cried Mary-Louise indignantly. The American people are loyal to their president. There may be a few traitors. We're gradually discovering them, but I am busy,' Herring interrupted her scowling, and he swung his chair so that his back was toward her. "'You won't be busy long if you keep talking that way,' predicted the girl. "'Tut, tut,' said the Honorable Andrew, warningly. Her threats, young lady, are as unwise as Mr. Herring's speech. "'But they carry more weight,' she asserted stoutly. "'Do you think any grocery man in Dorfield would buy goods of Mr. Herring if he knew him to be disloyal in this, our country's greatest crisis? And they're going to know it if I have to visit each one and tell him myself what Mr. Herring has said.' A tense, if momentary silence, followed, broken by the professor, who now said in his smooth, unctuous way, Mr. Herring's blunt expression of his sentiments was not intended for other ears than ours, I am sure. In confidence one may say many things to friends, which he would prefer to withhold from an indiscriminating public. We are well assured indeed that Mr. Herring is a loyal American, with America's best interests at heart, but he does not regard our present national activities as leniently as we do. I have been endeavouring in my humble way to change his attitude of mind. Here Herring swung around and looked at the speaker stolidly. And though I admit he is a bit obstinate, I venture to assure you, Miss Burroughs, that Silas Herring will stand by the stars and strives, as long as there is a shred of our banner to wave in the breeze of freedom, justice, and democracy. A cynical smile gradually settled on the grocer's stern face. The honourable Andrew was smiling with undisguised cheerfulness. We are all loyal, thoroughly loyal, said the latter. I have bought some Liberty Bonds already, my girl, but you can put me down for a hundred dollars more. We must support our country in every possible way, with effort, with money, with our flesh and blood. I have no children, but my two nephews and a second cousin are now in France. For my part, added Professor Dyer, I have hesitated as to how much of my meager salary I can afford to spend, but I think I can handle five hundred dollars' worth. Thank you, said Mary Louise, somewhat puzzled by these offers. It isn't like risking the money, it's a solid investment in the best securities in the world. I know, returned the Professor, nodding gravely, but I'm not thinking of that. I'm a poor man, as you probably know, but what I have is at my country's disposal, since it is evident that my country needs it. Doesn't that shame you, sir? asked Mary Louise brightly, as she turned to Silas Herring. You're a business man, and they say, although I confess I doubt it, that you're a loyal American. You can convince me of the fact by purchasing a liberal share of bonds. Then I can forget your dreadful words. Then I can carry to everyone the news that you've made a splendid investment in liberty bonds. Even if you honestly think the administration has been at fault, it won't do any good to grumble. We're in this war, sir, and we've got to win it, that you and every other American may enjoy prosperity and freedom. How much shall I say that you have subscribed, Mr. Herring? He studied her face, his expression never changing. Mary Louise wondered if he could read her suspicion and dislike of him, despite her efforts to smother those feelings in the cause of liberty. Then Herring looked at Professor Dyer, who stood meekly with downcast eyes. Next, the grocer gazed at the supervisor, who smiled in a shrewd way and gave a brief nod. Mr. Herring frowned. He drummed nervously with his fingers on his mahogany desk. Many reached for his checkbook with a grim deliberation and wrote a check and handed it to Mary Louise. You've won, young lady, he admitted. I'm too good an American to approve what has been done down at Washington, but I'll keep our flag waving, as the Professor suggests. When we won our war, and of course we shall win, there will be a day of reckoning for every official who is judged by our citizens to have been disloyal, however high his station. Good afternoon. The first impulse of Mary Louise was to crumple up the check and throw it in the man's face, to show her resentment of his base insinuations. But as she glanced at the check she saw it was for ten thousand dollars, and that meant sinews of war, help for our soldiers and our allies. She couldn't thank the man, but she bowed coldly and left the private office. Professor Dyer accompanied her and at the outer door he said to the girl, Silas Herring's heart is in the right place, as you see by his generous check. Of course he might have bought more bonds than that, as he is very wealthy, but he is an obstinate man and it is a triumph for our sacred cause that he was induced to buy it all. You are doing a noble work, my child, and I admire you for having undertaken the task. If I can be of service to you, pray command me. Urge every one you meet to buy bonds, suggested Mary Louise. She did not care to discuss Silas Herring. I'll do that indeed, promised the school superintendent. But as he watched her depart there was a queer expression on his lean face that it was well Mary Louise did not see. End of Chapter 3 Red by Cibella Denton. For more free audiobooks or to volunteer, please visit LibreVox.org. Chapter 4 of Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls by L. Frank Baum Read for LibreVox.org into the public domain. The Trader When the Liberty Girls met that evening at the home of Elora Jones, it was found that Mary Louise had sold more bonds than any of the others, although Laura Hilton had secured one subscription of fifty thousand dollars from the Dorfield National Steelworks, the manager of which industry, Mr. Colton, was a relative of the girl. Altogether the day's work had netted them two hundred and fourteen thousand dollars, and as soon as she could escape Mary Louise rushed home to report their success to her grandfather. In one day, Grandpa Jim, she cried exultantly, and the old Colonel's eyes sparkled as he replied, that makes our mass meeting look pretty small, doesn't it, my dear? I consider it wonderful. With four more such days our quota would be oversubscribed. That's what we shall try for, she declared, and then she told him who the biggest bond buyers had been, mostly those who had refused to listen to the regular committee, or had not been influenced by their carefully prepared arguments. It's just because we are girls and they are ashamed to refuse us, she acknowledged. It seems like taking an unfair advantage of them, I know, but those who need urging and shaming to induce them to respond loyally to the nation's needs deserve no consideration. We're not robbing them, either, she added, but just inducing them to make a safe investment. Isn't that true, Grandpa Jim? What surprises me most, he responded, is how you ever managed to load your little head with so much mature wisdom. I had no idea, Mary Louise, that you were so interested in the war and our national propaganda for waging it successfully. Why, I read the newspapers, you know, and I've listened to you spout patriotism, and ever since we joined the Allies against Germany, my girl Chums and I have been secretly organized as a band of liberty girls, determined to do our bid in winning the war. This is the first chance, though, that we've ever had to show what we can do, and we are very proud and happy tonight to realize that we're backing Uncle Sam to some purpose. This war, remarked the old soldier thoughtfully, is bringing the women of all nations into marked prominence, for it is undeniable that their fervid patriotism outranks that of the men. But you are mere girls, and I marvel at your sagacity and devotion, here to fore unsuspected. If you can follow today's success until Saturday, and secure our quota of subscriptions to the bonds, not only door-field, but all the nations will be proud of your achievement. We shall do our best," replied the girl simply, although her cheeks glowed pink under such praise. There are enough slackers still to be interviewed to bring the quota up to the required amount, and with today's success to hearten us, I am sure we shall end the week triumphantly. Next morning the liberty girl sallied forth early, all six aglow with enthusiasm. Mary Louise consulted her carefully prepared list and found that her first call was to be at McGill's drug-store. She found Mr. McGill looking over his morning's mail, but moments were precious, so she at once stated her errand. The old drugist glanced up at the girl under his spectacles, noted her patriotic attire and the eager look on her pretty face, and slowly shook his head. I am sorry, Miss Burroughs, but I can't afford it, he said evasively. Oh, Mr. McGill, I am sure you are mistaken, she replied. You can afford insurance, you know, to protect your stock, and this money for Uncle Sam is an insurance that your home and business will be protected from the ravages of a ruthless foe. He stared at her thoughtfully a moment, then he selected a paper from his mail and handed it to her. Read that, he said briefly. Mary Louise read it. It was a circular, printed in small, open- faced capital type on plain white paper and unsigned. It said, The Treasury Department is asking us to invest billions in what are termed liberty bonds. It has the liberty to lend these billions to irresponsible or bankrupt nations of Europe, who are fighting an unprofitable war. Some of our dollars will equip an army of American boys to fight on Europe's battlefields. This may be good business. Our excited politicians down at Washington may think they are acting for our best good. But what becomes of the money, finally? Will our millionaire government contractors become billionaires when the money, our money, is spent? Do you think the days of graft are past and gone? Have politicians become honest now that they are handling untold sums? Let us consider these questions when we are asked to subscribe for liberty bonds. Why, this is treason! cried Mary Louise, gasping from sheer amazement and indignation. It's a treacherous, vile, disloyal insinuation. Some German spy wrote that and he ought to be hanged for it. The druggist nodded. He picked up the envelope that had contained the circular and scrutinized it closely. Really, it looks like foreign handwriting, doesn't it? he agreed, handing her the envelope. It's postmarked Dorfield and was posted last evening. The whole town is buzzing about the wonderful work of the Liberty Girls yesterday. Perhaps your success is responsible for this—this—opposition. Mary Louise's cheeks were burning. Her eyes flashed. May I keep this—thing? she asked, with a shudder of disgust as she thrust the circular into its envelope. Certainly, if you wish. And will you let an enemy attack like that influence you, Mr. McGill? He smiled rather grimly. Yes, I'll invest five hundred in the bonds. I had already decided to put in a hundred dollars, but for a moment this veiled accusation bewildered me. You're right. It's treasonable. It will be hard for me to raise five hundred just now, but I'll do it. I want that to be my answer to the German. Mary Louise thanked him and hurried away. Next door was Lacey's shoe store, and Mr. Lacey was reading a duplicate of that identical circular when the Liberty Girl approached him. The man bowed low to Mary Louise, a deference she felt rendered to her red, wide, and blue uniform. Good morning, he said pleasantly, recognizing the girl as one of his good customers. Glad to see you, Mary Louise, for if I give you a good, fat check it may take a nasty taste out of my mouth, acquired by reading a bit of German propaganda. I know, Mr. Lacey," she replied earnestly. I've seen that circular before. Do you mind by having it in the envelope? I wouldn't touch the filth if I were you," he protested. I'm going to run the trader down," she said. No man has the right to live in Dorfield or in America, who could be guilty of such disloyalty. He gave her the circular and his check for Liberty Bonds, and she passed on to the next door. During the morning Mary Louise discovered several more of the various circulars. Some merchants would not admit having received the warning. Others, through their arguments, convinced the girl they had not only read the screed, but had been influenced by it. But she felt that it did, and her indignation grew steadily. By noon she was tingling with resentment, and when she joined the other Liberty girls at luncheon, she found them all excited over the circular, and demanding vengeance on the offender, whoever he might happen to be. Isn't it dreadful," exclaimed Lucille Neal, and what did the person hope to gain by it? Why, he wanted to kill the Liberty Bonds sale, explained Elora Jones. A suspicion that this money is to be misapplied, or that officials will steal part of it, is likely to prevent a lot of foolish people from investing in the bonds. All this morning I could see that men were influenced by this circular, which has been pretty generally distributed. Yes, one or two repeated the very words of the circular to me, said Laura Hilton, but I just asked them if they considered the United States is able to pay its bonds, and they were forced to admit it was a safe investment, however the money might be used. I'd like to know who sent that circular, exclaimed Edna Barlow. I'm going to find out," asserted Mary Louise. How, my dear! There must be ways of tracing such a bunch of circulars as were mailed last evening. I'm going to see the chief of police and put him on the trail. Do you know, said Edna, a thoughtful and rather quiet girl, I already have a suspicion who the traitor is. Who! an eager chorus. I'm not sure I ought to speak his name, for it's only a suspicion and I may be wrong. It would be an awful thing to accuse one unjustly of such a dastardly act, wouldn't it? But think, girls, who is known to be against the war and pro-German. Who did we consider an enemy to the cause of liberty until—until he happened to buy some bonds the other night, and indulge in some peanut-patriotism to disarm a criticism he knew was becoming dangerous? They looked at one another, half frightened at the suggestion, for all new whom she meant. Perhaps, said Elora, slowly, Jake Kasker really believes in the bonds. He certainly set the example to others and led them to buy a lot of bonds. It doesn't seem reasonable after that to credit him with trying to prevent their sale. Those pro-Germans, remarked little Jane Donovan, are clever and sly. They work in the dark. Kasker said he hated the war but loved the flag. I'm afraid of those people who think devotion to our flag can cover disloyalty to our president, said Mary Louise earnestly. But the flag represents the President, and Kasker said he'd stand by the flag to the last. I'll bunk him, my dear, said Edna decidedly. That flag-talk didn't take the curse off the statement that the war is all wrong. He had to say something patriotic, or he'd have been mobbed, was Lucille's serious comment. I hadn't thought of Jake Kasker before, but he may be the culprit. Isn't he the only German in town who has denounced our going into the European war? demanded Edna. No, said Mary Louise. Grandpa has told me of several others, but none has spoken so frankly as Kasker. Anyhow, there's no harm in suspecting him, for if he is really innocent he can blame his own disloyal speeches for the suspicion. But now let us check up the morning's work, and get busy again as soon as possible. We mustn't lose a single minute. And as we go around, suggested Elora, let us keep our eyes and ears open for traces of the traitor. There may be more than one pro-German in the conspiracy, for the circular was printed by somebody, and there are several kinds of handwriting on the addressed envelopes we have gathered. We've no time to do detective work just now, but we can watch out, just the same. Mary Louise did not mention the circular to Colonel Hathaway that evening, for he was still ill and she did not wish to annoy him. The next day she found another circular had been put in the mails, printed from the same queer open-face type as the first. Not so many had been sent out of these, but they were even more malicious in their suggestions. The girls were able to collect several of them for evidence, and were more angry and resentful than ever, but they did not allow such outrageous antagonism to discourage them in their work. Of course the Liberty Girls were not the only ones in Dorfield trying to sell bonds. Mr. Jazzwell and other bankers promoted the bond sale vigorously, and the regular committee did not flag in its endeavors to secure subscriptions. On account of Colonel Hathaway's illness, Professor Dyer was selected to fill his place on the committee, and proved himself exceedingly industrious. The only trouble with the Professor was his reluctance to argue. He seemed to work early and late, visiting the wealthier and more prosperous citizens, but he accepted too easily their refusals to buy. On several occasions the Liberty Girls succeeded in making important sales where Professor Dyer had signally failed. He seemed astonished at this, and told Mary Louise, with a deprecating shrug, that he feared his talents did not lie in the direction of salesmanship. Despite the natural proportion of failures, for not all will buy bonds in any community, on the fourth day following the mass meeting, Dorfield's quota of one million was fully subscribed, and on Saturday another hundred and fifty thousand was added, creating jubilation among the loyal citizens, and reflecting great credit on the Liberty Girls, the committee, and all who had labored so well for the cause. Really, said Professor Dyer, his voice sounding regretful when he congratulated the girls, our success is due principally to your patriotic organization. The figures show that you secure subscriptions for over half a million. Dear me, what a remarkable fact. More than that, added Jason Jones, Elora's father, who was a wealthy artist and himself a member of the committee. Our girls encouraged the faltering ones to do their duty. Many a man who coldly turned our committee down smiled at the pretty faces and dainty costumes of our Liberty Girls, and wrote their checks without a murmur. All the creditors do Mary Louise, declared Elora. It was she who proposed the idea, and organized us, and trained us, and designed our Liberty Costumes. Also, Mary Louise made the most sales. Nonsense! cried Mary Louise, blushing red. I couldn't have done anything at all without the help of you girls. No one of us is entitled to more credit than the others, but all six of us may well feel proud of our success. We've done our bit to help Uncle Sam win the war. End of Chapter 4. On Sunday, Grandpa Jim, relieved of all worry, felt quite himself again, as he expressed it, and the old gentleman strutted somewhat proudly as he marched to church, with his lovely granddaughter beside him, although her uniform was today discarded for a neat tailor's suit. Mary Louise had always been a favorite in Dorfield, but the past week had made her a heroine in the eyes of all patriotic citizens. Many were the looks of admiration and approval cast at the young girl this morning, as she passed along the streets beside the old Colonel. In the afternoon, as they sat in the cozy study at home, the girl for the first time showed her grandfather the disloyal circulars, relating how indignant the liberty girls had been at encountering such dastardly opposition. Colonel Hathaway studied the circulars carefully. He compared the handwritings on the different envelopes, and when Mary Louise said positively, That man must be discovered and arrested. Her grandfather nodded his head and replied, He is a dangerous man, not especially on account of these mischievous utterances, which are too foolish to be considered seriously, but because such a person is sure to attempt other venomous deeds, which might prove more important. German propaganda must be dealt with sternly and all opposition to the administration thoroughly crushed. It will never do to allow a man like this to go unrebuke and unpunished. What, then, would you suggest? asked the girl. The police should be notified. Chief Farnham is a clever officer and intensely patriotic, from all I have heard. I think he will have no difficulty in discovering who was responsible for these circulars. I shall go to him to-morrow, decided Mary Louise. I have the same idea, Grandpa Jim. It's a matter for the police to handle. But when she had obtained an interview with the chief of police Farnham the next morning, and had silently laid one of the circulars on his desk before him, an announcement of her errand, Farnham merely glanced at it, smiled and then flashed a shrewd look into the girl's face. Well, said the chief, in an interrogative tone, those treasonable circulars have been mailed to a lot of our citizens, said she. I know. They are pro-German, of course, the traitor who is responsible for them ought to be arrested immediately. To be sure, replied Farnham, calmly. Well, then do it, she exclaimed, annoyed by his bland smile. I'd like to, Miss Burroughs, he rejoined, the smile changing to a sudden frown, and only two things prevent my obeying your request. One is that the writer is unknown to me. I suppose you could find him, sir. That's what the police are for. Criminals don't usually come here and give themselves up, I imagine, or even send you their address. But the city isn't so big that any man, however clever, could escape your dragnet. Thank you for the compliment, said the chief, again smiling. I believe we could locate the fellow, where such a task not obviated by the second objection. And that? If you'll read this circular. There are two others, by the way, mailed at different times. You will discover that our objectionable friend has skillfully evaded breaking our present laws. He doesn't assert anything treasonable at all. He merely questions, or suggests. He is just loyal, however, insisted Mary Louise. In reality, yes, legally no. We allow a certain amount of free speech in this country, altogether too much under present conditions. The writer of this circular makes certain statements that are true, and would be harmless in themselves, where they not followed by a series of questions, which insinuate that our trusted officials are manipulating our funds for selfish purposes. A simple denial of these insinuation draws the fangs from every question. We know very well the intent was to rouse suspicion and resentment against the government. But if we had the author of these circulars in court, we could not prove that he had infringed any of the existing statutes. And you will allow such a traitor as that to escape? cried Mary Louise, amazed and shocked. For a moment he did not reply, but regarded the girl thoughtfully. Then he said, The police of a city, Miss Brose, is a local organization with limited powers. I don't mind telling you, however, that there are now in Dorfield certain government agents, who are tracing this circular, and will not be so particular as we must be to abide by established law in making arrests. Their authority is more elastic, in other words. Moreover, these circulars were mailed, and the Post Office Department has special detectives to attend to those who use the mails for disloyal purposes. Are any of these agents or detectives working on this case? asked the girl more hopefully. Let us suppose so, he answered. They do not confide their activities to the police, although if they call upon us we must assist them. I personally saw that copies of these circulars were placed in the hands of a government agent, but have heard nothing more of the affair. And you fear they will let the matter drop? she questioned, trying to catch the drift of his cautiously expressed words. He did not answer that question at all. Instead he quietly arranged some papers on his desk, and after a pause that grew embarrassing, again turned to Mary Louise. Whoever issued these circulars, he remarked, is doubtless clever. He is also bitterly opposed to the administration, and we may logically suppose he will not stop in his attempts to block the government's conduct of the war. At every opportunity he will seek to poison the minds of our people, and sooner or later he will do something that is decidedly actionable. Then we will arrest him, and put an end to his career. You think that, sir? I am pretty sure of it, from long experience with criminals. I suppose the Kaiser is paying him, said the girl bitterly. We have no grounds for that belief. He is helping the Kaiser. He is pro-German. He is helping the Kaiser, but is not necessarily pro-German. We know he is against the government, but on the other hand he may detest the Germans. That his propaganda directly aides our enemies there is no doubt, yet his enmity may have been aroused by personal prejudice or intense opposition to the administration or to other similar causes. Such a person is an out-and-out traitor when his sentiments lead to actions which obstruct his country's interests. The traitors are not all pro-German. Let us say they are anti-American. Mary Louise was sorely disappointed. I think I know who this traitor is in spite of what you say, she remarked, and I think you ought to watch him, Mr. Farnham, and try to prevent his doing more harm. The chief studied her face. He seemed to have a theory that one may glean as much from facial expressions as from words. One ought to be absolutely certain, said he, before accusing any one of disloyalty. A false accusation is unwarranted. It is a crime, in fact. You have no idea, Miss Burroughs, how many people come to us to slyly accuse a neighbor whom they hate of disloyalty. In not a single instance have they furnished proof, and we do not encourage more tell-tales. I don't want you to tell me whom you suspect, but when you can lay before me a positive accusation, backed by facts that can be proven, I'll take up the case and see that the law-breaker is vigorously prosecuted. The girl went away, greatly annoyed by the chief's reluctance to act in the matter. But when she had related the interview to grandpa, the old colonel said, I like Farnham's attitude, which I believe to be as just as it is conservative. Suspicion based on personal dislike should not be tolerated. Why, Mary Louise, anyone might accuse you or me of disloyalty, and cause us untold misery and humiliation in defending ourselves and proving our innocence, and even then the stigma on our good name would be difficult to remove entirely. Thousands of people have lost their lives in the countries of Europe through false accusations. But America is an enlightened nation, and let us hope no personal animosities will influence us, or no passionate adherents to our country's cause to privus of our sense of justice. Our sense of justice, asserted Mary Louise, should lead us to unmask traitors, and I know very well that somewhere in Dorfield lurks an enemy to my country. We will admit that, my dear, but your country is watching out for those enemies within who are more to be feared than those without, and if I were you, Mary Louise, I'd allow the proper officials to unmask the traitor, as they are sure to do in time. This war has placed other opportunities in your path to prove your usefulness to your country, as you have already demonstrated. Is it not so?" Mary Louise sighed. You are always right, Grandpa Jim, she said, kissing him fondly. Drap that traitor, though! How I hate a snake in the grass! CHAPTER VI of Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls by L. Frank Baum Read for LibriVox.org into the public domain. To Help Win the War The activities of the Liberty Girls of Dorfield did not cease with their successful Liberty Bond Drive. Indeed, this success and the approbation of their fellow townspeople spurred the young girls on to further patriotic endeavor, in which they felt sure of enthusiastic encouragement. As long as Uncle Sam needs his soldiers, said Peter Cannot, the lawyer, he'll need his Liberty Girls, for they can help win the war. When Mary Louise first conceived the idea of banding her closest companions to support the government in all possible ways, she was a bit doubtful if their efforts would prove of substantial value, although she realized that all her friends were earnestly determined to do their bit, whatever the bit might chance to be. The local Red Cross Chapter had already usurped many fields of feminine usefulness, and with a thorough organization, which included many of the older women, was accomplishing a vast deal of good. Of course, the Liberty Girls could not hope to rival the Red Cross. Mary Louise was only seventeen, and the ages of the other Liberty Girls ranged from fourteen to eighteen, so they had been somewhat ignored by those who were older and more competent, through experience to undertake important measures of war-relief. The sensational bond sale, however, had made the youngsters heroines, for the moment at least, and greatly stimulated their confidence in themselves and their ambition to accomplish more. Mary Louise Burroughs was an orphan. Her only relative, indeed, was Colonel James Hathaway, her mother's father, whose love for his granddaughter was thoroughly returned by the young girl. They were good comrades, these two, and held many interests in common despite the discrepancy in their ages. The old Colonel was well-to-do, and although he could scarcely be called wealthy in these days of huge fortunes, his resources were ample beyond their needs. The Hathaway home was one of the most attractive in Dorfield, and Mary Louise and her grandfather were popular and highly respected. Their servants consisted of an aged pair of negroes named Aunt Sally and Uncle Eben, who considered themselves family possessions, and were devoted to the old man and the young Missy. Alora Jones, who lived in the handsomeest and most imposing house in the little city, was an heiress and considered the richest girl in Dorfield, having been left several millions by her mother. Her father, Jason Jones, although he handled Alora's fortune and surrounded his motherless daughter with every luxury, was by profession an artist, a kindly man who encouraged the girl to be generous and charitable to a degree. They did not advertise their good deeds, and only the poor knew how much they owed to the practical sympathy of Alora Jones and her father. Alora, however, was rather reserved and inclined to make few friends, her worst fault being a suspicion of all strangers, due to some unfortunate experiences she had formerly encountered. The little band of liberty girls included all of Alora's accepted chums, for they were the chums of Mary Louise, whom Alora adored. Their companionship had done much to soften the girl's distrustful nature. The other liberty girls were Laura Hilton, petite and pretty and bubbling with energy, whose father was a prominent real estate broker, Lucille Neal, whose father and three brothers owned and operated the Neal Automobile Factory, and whose intelligent zeal and knowledge of war conditions had been of great service to Mary Louise, Edna Barlow, a widowed dressmaker's only child, whose sweet disposition had made her a favorite with her girlfriends, and Jane Donovan, the daughter of the mayor of Dorfield, and the youngest of the group here described. These were the six girls who had entered the bond campaign and assisted to complete Dorfield's quota of subscriptions, but there was one other liberty girl who had been unable to join them in this active work. This was Irene McFarlane, the niece of Peter Cannot. She had been a cripple since childhood and was confined to the limits of a wheeled chair. Far from being gloomy or depressed, however, Irene had the sunniest nature imaginable, and was always more bright and cheerful than the average girl of her age. From my knees down, she would say confidentially, I'm no good, but from my knees up I'm as good as anybody. She was an excellent musician and sang very sweetly. She was especially deft with her needle. She managed her chair so admirably that little assistance was ever required. Mrs. Cannot called her the light of the house, and to hear her merry laughter and sparkling conversation, you would speedily be tempted to forget that fate had been unkind to her and decreed that for life she must be wedded to a wheeled chair. If Irene resented this decree, however, she never allowed anyone to suspect it, and her glad disposition warded off the words of sympathy that might have pained her. While unable to sally forth in the Liberty Bond Drive, Irene was nonetheless an important member of the Band of Liberty Girls. She's our inspiration, said Mary Louise, with simple conviction. Teaming with patriotism and never doubting her ability to do something helpful in defeating her country's foes, Irene had many valuable suggestions to make to her companions, and one of these she broached a few days after the Bond's sale ended so triumphantly. On this occasion the Liberty Girls had met with Irene at Peter Cannot's cozy home, next door to the residence of Colonel Hathaway, for consultation as to their future endeavours. Everyone is knitting for the soldiers and sailors, said Irene, and while that is a noble work, I believe we ought to do something different from the others. Such an important organization ought to render unusual and individual service on behalf of our beloved country. Is it not so? It's all very well, Irene, to back our beloved country, remarked Laura, but the whole nation is doing that, and I really hanker to help our soldier boys. So do I, spoke up Lucille. The government is equal to the country's needs, I'm sure, but the government has never taken too good care of its soldiers, and they'll lack a lot of things besides knitted goods when they get out to the front. Exactly, agreed Mary Louise. Seems to me it's the girl's chief duty to look after the boys, and a lot of the drafted ones are marching away from Dorfield each day, looking pretty glum, even if loyally submitting to the inevitable. I tell you girls, these young and green soldiers need encouraging, so they'll become enthusiastic and make the best sort of fighters, and we ought to bend our efforts to cheering them up. Irene laughed merrily. Good! she cried, you're like a flock of sheep. All you need is a hint to trail away in the very direction I wanted to lead you. There are a lot of things we can do to add to our soldiers' comfort. They need chocolate, sweets are good for them, and comfort kits of the real sort. Not those useless, dowdy ones so many well-intentioned women are wasting time and money to send them, and they'll be grateful for lots and lots of cigarettes, and— Oh, Irene, do you think that would be right? from Edna Barlow. Of course it would. The government approves cigarettes and the French girls are supplying our boys across the pond with them even now. Surely we can do as much for our own brave laddies who are still learning the art of war. Not all smoke, of course, and some prefer pipes and tobacco, which we can also send them. Another thing, nearly every soldier needs a good pocket knife and eraser, and they need games of all sorts, such as dominoes and checkers and cribbage boards, and good honest trench-mirrors, and— Goodness me, Irene, interrupted Jane Donovan, how do you think we could supply all those things? To equip a regiment with the articles you mentioned would cost a mint of money, and where's the money coming from, and how are we to get it? There you go again, helping me out, smiled Irene. In your question, my dear, lies the crux of my suggestion. We liberty girls must raise the money. How, Irene? I object to begging. The people are tired of subscribing to all sorts of schemes. We certainly are not female creases. Perhaps you expect us to turn bandits and sandbag the good citizens on dark nights. Irene's smile did not fade. She simply glowed with glee at these characteristic protestations. I can't blame you girls, for you haven't thought the thing out and I have, she stated. My scheme isn't entirely original, for I've read the other day of a similar plan being tried in another city, with good success. A plan similar in some ways, but quite different in others. Yet it gave me the idea. Shoot us the idea, then, said Jane, who was inclined to favor slaying. In order to raise money, said Irene, slowly and more seriously than she had spoken before, it is necessary for us to go into business. The other day, when I was riding with Elora, I noticed that the store between the post office and the citizen's bank is vacant, and a sign in the window said, Apply to Peter Canot, agent. Peter Canot, being my uncle, I applied to him that evening after dinner on behalf of the liberty girls. It's one of the best locations in town and right in the heart of the business district. The store has commanded a big rental, but in these times it is not in demand and it has been vacant for the last six months, with no prospect of it being rented. Girls, Peter Canot will allow us to use this storeroom without charge, until someone is willing to pay the proper rent for it, so the first big problem is solved. Three cheers for Uncle Peter. They stared at her rather suspiciously, not yet understanding her idea. So far so good, my dear, said Mary Louise. We can trust dear old Peter Canot to be generous and patriotic. But what good is a store without stock? And how are we going to get a stock to sell, and sell it at a profit that will allow us to do all the things we long to do for the soldiers? Explain that, and I'm with you, announced Elora. Explain that, and we're all with you, declared Lucille Neal. All I need is the opportunity, protested Irene. You're such chatterboxes that you won't let me talk. Now, listen, I'm not much of an executioner, girls, but I can plan and you can execute, and in that way I get my finger in the pie. Now, I believe I have a practical idea that will work out beautifully. Dorfield is an ancient city, and has been inhabited for generations. Almost every house contains a lot of articles that are not in use, are put aside and forgotten, or are not in any way necessary to the comfort and happiness of the owners, yet would be highly prized by some other family which does not posess such articles. For instance, a baby carriage or crib, stored away in some attic, could be sold at a bargain to some young woman needing such an article, or some old brass candlesticks, considered valueless by their owner, could be eagerly bought by someone who did not possess such things, and had a love for antiques. My proposition is simply this, that you visit all the substantial homes in Dorfield and ask to be given whatever the folks care to dispense with, such items to be sold at the Liberty Girl's shop, and the money applied to our war fund to help the soldier boys. Lucille's brother, Joe Neal, will furnish us a truck to cart all the things from the houses to our store, and I am sure we can get a whole lot of goods that will sell readily. The people will be glad to give all that they don't want to so good a cause, and what one doesn't want another is sure to want. Whatever money we take in will be all to the good, and with it we can supply the boys with many genuine comforts. Now then, how does my idea strike you? Approval, even the dawn of enthusiasm, was written on every countenance. They can invest all the pros and cons of the proposition at length, and the more they considered it the more practical it seemed. The only doubtful thing, said Mary Louise, finally, is whether people will donate the goods they don't need or care for, but that can be easily determined by asking them. We ought to pair off, and each couple take a residence street and make a careful canvas, taking time to explain our plan. One day we'll show us whether we're to be successful or not, and the whole idea hinges on the success of our appeal. Not entirely, objected Elora, we may secure the goods but be unable to sell them. Nonsense, said little Laura Hilton, nothing in the world sells so readily as secondhand truck. Just think how the people flock to auctions and the like. And we girls should prove good sales-ladies, too, for we can do a lot of coaxing and get better prices than an auctioneer. All we need to do is appeal to the patriotism of the prospective buyers. Anyhow, asserted Edna, it seems worth a trial, and we must admit the idea is attractive and unique. At least, a novelty in Dorfield. So they planned their method of canvassing and agreed to put in the next day soliciting articles to sell at the Liberty Girls' shop. End of Chapter 6. Read by Cibella Denton. For more free audiobooks or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Chapter 7 of Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls by L. Frank Baum. Read for LibriVox.org into the public domain. The Liberty Shop. Mary Louise said to her grandfather that night, after explaining Irene's novel scheme to raise money, we haven't been housekeeping many years in Dorfield, and I'm not sure I can find among our household possessions anything to give the Liberty Shop. But I have some jewelry and knickknacks that I never wear, and if you don't mind, Grandpa Jim, I'll donate that to our shop. The Colonel was really enthusiastic over the plan, and not only approved his granddaughter's proposition to give her surplus jewelry, but went over the house with her and selected quite an imposing lot of odds and ends, which were not in use, and could readily be spared. Eager to assist the girls, the old Colonel next morning went to town in order to big sign-painted, to be placed over the store entrance, and he also induced the editors of the two newspapers to give the Liberty Girls' latest venture publicity in their columns, inviting the cooperation of the public. Peter Canot turned over the keys of the big store to the girls, and the first load of goods to be delivered was that from the Hathaway residence. The Liberty Girls were astonished at the success of their solicitations. From almost every house they visited they secured donations of more or less value. It might have seemed rubbish to some of the donors, but the variety of goods that soon accumulated in the store room presented an interesting collection, and the girls arranged their wares enticingly, and polished up the brass and copper ornaments and utensils until they seemed of considerable value. They did not open their doors to the public for ten days, and Joe Neal began to grumble because one of his trucks was kept constantly running from house to house, gathering up the articles contributed to the Liberty Girls' shop. But the girls induced other trucks to help Joe, and the enthusiasm kept growing. Curiosity was spurred by the big sign over the closed doors, and every woman who donated was anxious to know what others had given to the shop. It was evident there would be a crowd at the formal opening, for much was expected from the unique enterprise. Meantime the girls were busily occupied. Each day one group solicited donations while another stated the store to arrange the goods. Many articles of furniture, more or less decrepit were received, and a man was hired to varnish and patch and put the chairs, stands, tables, desks, and what-nots into the best condition possible. Alora Jones thought the stock needed brightening, so she induced her father to make purchases of several new articles, which she presented to the girls as her share of the donation. And Peter cannot, finding many small pieces of jewelry, silverware, and bric-a-brac among the accumulation, rented a big showcase for the girls, in which such wares were properly displayed. During these ten days of unflagging zeal the Liberty Girls were annoyed to discover that another traitorous circular had been issued. A large contingent of the selective draft boys had just been ordered away to the Cantonment, and the day before they left all their parents received a circular, saying that the draft was unconstitutional, and that their sons were being sacrificed by autocratic methods to further the political schemes of the administration. Mr. Wilson, it ended, is trying to make for himself a place in history at the expense of the flesh and blood of his countrymen. This vile and despicable screed was printed from the same queer type as the former circulars, denouncing the Liberty Bond sale, and evidently emanated from the same source. Mary Louise was the first to secure one of the papers and its envelope mailed through the local post office, and her indignation was only equaled by her desire to punish the offender. She realized, however, her limitations, and that she had neither the time nor the talent to unmask the traitor. She could only hope that the proper authorities would investigate the matter. That afternoon, with the circulars still in her handbag, she visited the clothing store of Jacob Casker, and asked the proprietor if he had any goods he would contribute to the Liberty Girls' shop. Casker was a stolid, florid-faced man, born in America of naturalized German parents, and therefore his citizenship could not be assailed. He had been quite successful as a merchant, and was reputed to be the wealthiest clothing dealer in Dorfield. No, said Casker shortly, in answer to the request. Mary Louise was annoyed by the tone. You mean that you won't help us, I suppose, she said impatiently. He turned from his desk and regarded her with a slight frown. Usually his expression was stupidly genial. Why should I give something for nothing? he asked. It isn't my war. I didn't make it, and I don't like it. Say I got a boy, one son. Do you know they've drafted him, took him from his work without his consent or mine, and marched him off to a war there's no good excuse for? Well, returned Mary Louise, your boy is one of those we're trying to help. You won't help make him a free American again. You'll just give him knick-knacks so he won't rebel against his slavery. The girl's eyes flashed. Mr. Casker, she said sternly, I consider that speech disloyal and traitorous. Men are being jailed every day for less. He shrugged his shoulders. I believe that is true, and it proves what a free country this is, does it not? Mr. Wilson's democracy is the kind that won't allow people to express their opinions unless they agree with him. If I say I will stand by the American Constitution they will put me in jail. Mary Louise fairly gasped. She devoutly wished she would never approached this dreadful man. She felt ashamed to breathe the same air with him. But she hated to retreat without a definite display of her disgust at his perfidious utterances. Drawing the circular from her bag, she spread it before him on his desk and said, Read that! He just glanced at it, proving he knew well its wording. Mary Louise was watching him closely. Well, what about it? he asked brusquely. It expresses your sentiments, I believe. He turned upon hers suspiciously. You think I wrote it, he demanded. My thoughts are my own, retorted Mary Louise. Casker's frown deepened. Your thoughts may get you into trouble, my girl, he said slowly. Let me tell you this. However much I hate this war I'm not fighting it publicly. To you I have spoken in private, just a private conversation. The trouble with me is I talk too much. I don't know enough to keep my mouth shut. I guess I'll never learn that. I ain't a hypocrite and I ain't a pacifist. I say the United States must win this war because it has started the job and right or wrong must finish it. I guess we could beat the whole world if we had to. But I ain't fool enough to say that all they do down at Washington is right, because I know it ain't. But I'm standing by the flag. My boy is standing by the flag, and he'll fight as well as anybody in the whole army to keep the flag flying over this great republic. Buy and buy, we'll get better congressmen. The ones we got now are accidents. But in spite of all accidents, and they're mostly our own fault, I'm for America first, last, and all the time. That's Jake Casker. I don't like the Germans and I don't like the English, for Jake Casker is a George Washington American. What are you doing, girl?" he suddenly asked, with a change of tone. I'm putting down that speech in shorthand in my notebook, said Mary Louise, and I think I've got every word of it. She slipped the book in her bag and picked up the circular. Good afternoon, Mr. Casker. The Germans seemed bewildered. He ran his fingers through his bushy hair as if trying to remember what he had said. Wait! he cried as she turned away. I've changed my mind about those goods. I'll send some over to your shop to be sold. Don't do it, she replied, for we won't accept them. Only those whose patriotism rings true are allowed to help us. Then she marched out of the big store, the proprietor at the desk staring at her fixedly until she had disappeared. That's it, Jake, he said to himself, turning to his papers. You talk too much. If a man prints a thing and nobody knows who printed it, he's safe. CHAPTER VIII of Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls by L. Frank Baum. Read for LibriVox.org into the public domain. THE DETECTIVE'S DAUGHTER I'm pretty sure Grandpa Jim, said Mary Louise that evening, that I've trailed the traitor to his lair, and he's none other than Jake Casker. This was the first time she had mentioned her suspicion of Casker to him, and her statement was received by the Colonel with moderate surprise, followed by a doubtful smile. I know Jake, he remarked, and while he is uneducated and his mind is uninformed concerning most things outside the clothing business, I should hesitate to accuse him of downright disloyalty. He's a German, and sympathizes with the Kaiser, asserted Mary Louise. Did he say that? Well, not in so many words. A German American is not usually pro-German, the Colonel declared, for Germans who came to America came to escape the militarism and paternalism of the Junkers, which is proof in itself that they disapprove of what we term Kaiserism. I know that Casker talks foolishly against the war and resents the drafting of his son, but I think he is a good American at heart. He has bought liberty bonds more liberally than some who proclaim their patriotism from the housetops. I don't fear these outspoken objectors, my dear, as much as those who work slyly in the dark, such as the riders of those disgraceful circulars. I practically accused Casker of sending out those circulars, said Mary Louise, and his defense was very lame and unconvincing. Listen, grandpa, to what he said. I took the speech down in shorthand, and that worried him, I'm sure. The Colonel listened and shook his head gravely. Yes, Jake Casker talks too much, he confessed, and much that he says is disloyal to our government and calculated to do much harm, especially if widely circulated. This is no time to criticize the men who are working hard to win the war. We should render them faithful support. The task before us is difficult, and it will require a united country to defeat our enemies. I must talk to Jake Casker. Won't it be better to let the authorities deal with him? suggested the girl. They're certain to get him in time if he goes on this way. I believe I frightened him a bit this afternoon, but he's too dull to take warning. Anyhow, I shall relate the whole interview to Chief Farnham to-morrow morning. This she did, but the Chief gave her little satisfaction. No one pays any attention to Casker, he said. He's a German and a traitor, she insisted. A woman's intuition has seldom at fault, and unconvinced he's responsible for this latest and most dreadful circular, and she laid it before him. A girl's intuition is not as mature as a woman's intuition, the Chief answered, in an impatient tone. You forced me to say, my dear young lady, that you are dabbling in affairs that do not concern you. I've plenty of these circulars on file, and I'm attending to my duty, and keeping an eye open for the rascal who wrote them. But there is no proof that Casker is the man. The Federal officers are also investigating the case, and I imagine they will not require your assistance. Mary Louise flushed, but stood her ground. Isn't it the duty of every patriotic person to denounce a traitor, she inquired? Yes, if there is proof. I think you're wrong about Casker, but if you are able to bring me proof, I'll arrest him and turn him over to the Federal agents for prosecution. But for Heaven's sake, don't bother me with mere suspicions. Mary Louise did not accept this rebuke graciously. She went away with the feeling that Chief Farnham was, for some reason, condoning a crime, and she was firmly resolved to obtain the required proof, if it could be secured without subjecting herself to the annoyance of such rebuffs as the one she had just endured. We ought not to permit such a snake in the grass to exist in dear old Dorfield, she told her girl associates. Let us all try to discover absolute proof of Casker's treachery. The other Liberty girls were as indignant as Mary Louise, but were too intent on their present duties to pay much attention to Jake Casker. For the Liberty girls' shop was now open to the public, and men, women, and children crowded in to see what the girls had to offer. Sales were so brisk during the first week that the stock became depleted, and once more they made a house to house canvas to obtain a new supply of material. This kept all six of the girls busily occupied. Irene, each morning, rode down to the shop in the Hathaway automobile, wheelchair and all, and acted as Casker, so as to relieve the others of this duty. She could accomplish this work very nicely and became the Liberty girls' treasurer and financial advisor. Each day she deposited in the bank the money received, and the amounts were so liberal that enthusiasm was easily maintained. The soldier boys have reason to rejoice, said Irene complacently, for we shall soon be able to provide them with numerous comforts and luxuries, all of which they are surely entitled to. So the new enterprise was progressing finally when, one evening, on reaching home from a busy day at the shop, Mary Louise found a letter that greatly pleased her. It was from an old and valued girlfriend in Washington, and after rambling along pleasantly on a variety of subjects, the writer concluded as follows, but we can talk all this over at leisure, my dear, for I am going to accept one of your many pressing invitations, the first one, of course, and make you another little visit. I love Dorfield, and I love you and the dear Colonel, and Irene and Elora, and I long to see all of you again. Moreover, Daddy is being sent abroad on a secret mission, and I should be lonely without him. So expect me at any time. In my usual erratic fashion I may follow on the heels of this letter, or I may lag behind it for a few days, but whenever I turn up at the Hathaway Gate I'll demand a kiss and a welcome for Josiah Gorman. Now this girl was in many ways so entirely unlike Mary Louise that one might wonder what link of sympathy drew them together, unless it was the law of opposites. However, there was one quality in both their natures that might warrant the warm friendship existing between the two girls. Mary Louise was sweet and winning, with a charming, well-bred manner and a ready sympathy for all who were in trouble. She was attractive in person, particular as to dress, generous and considerate to a fault. The girl had been carefully reared and had well repaid the training of the gallant old Colonel, her grandfather, who had surrounded her with competent instructors. Yet Mary Louise had a passion for mysteries and was never quite so happy as when engaging in studying a baffling personality or striving to explain a seeming enigma. Grandpa Jim, who was usually her confidant when she scented a mystery, often accused her of allowing her imagination to influence her judgment. But on several occasions the girl had triumphantly proven her intuitions to be correct. You must not think from this statement that Mary Louise was prone to suspect everyone she met. It was only on rare occasions she instinctively felt there was more beneath the surface of an occurrence than appeared to the casual observer. And then, if a wrong might be righted or a misunderstanding removed, but only in such event, she eagerly assayed to discover the truth. It was in this manner that she had once been of great service to her friend Elora Jones and to others as well. It was this natural quality, combined with sincere loyalty, which made her long to discover and bring to justice the author of the pro-German circulars. Josiah Gorman was small and pudgy, her own expression, red-haired and freckle-faced and snub-nosed. Her eyes redeemed much of this personal handicap, for they were big and blue as turquoise's, and merry and innocent in expression as the eyes of a child. Also the good humor which usually pervaded her sunny features led people to ignore their plainness. In dress Josie was somewhat eccentric in her selections and careless in methods of wearing her clothes, but this might be excused by her engrossing interest in people rather than in apparel. The girl was the daughter, the only child indeed, of John O'Gorman, the old entrusted lieutenant of the government's secret service. From Josie's childhood the clever detective had trained her in all the subtle art of his craft, allowing for her youth, which meant a limited experience of human nature and the intricacies of crime, Josie O'Gorman was now considered by her father to be more expert than the average professional detective. While the astute secret service agent was more than proud of his daughter's talent, he would not allow her to undertake the investigation of crime as a profession until she was older and more mature. Sometimes, however, he permitted and even encouraged her to practice on minor or unimportant cases of a private nature in which the United States government was not interested. Josie's talent drew merry Louise to her magnetically. The detective's daughter was likewise a delightful companion. She was so well versed in all matters of national import as well as in the foibles and peculiarities of the human race that even conservative old Colonel Hathaway admired the girl and enjoyed her society. Josie had visited merry Louise more than once and was assured a warm welcome whenever she came to Dorfield. Most of the Liberty girls knew Josie O'Gorman and when they heard she was coming they straightway insisted she be made a member of their band. "'She'll just have to be one of us,' said merry Louise, "'for I'm so busy with our wonderful shop that I can't entertain Josie properly, unless she takes a hand in our game, which I believe she'll be glad to do.' And Josie was glad and proclaimed herself a Liberty girl the first hour of her arrival, the moment she learned what the patriotic band had already accomplished and was determined to accomplish further. "'It's just play, you know, and play of the right sort, loyal and helpful to those who deserve the best we can give them, our brave soldiers and sailors. Count me in, girls, and you'll find me at the Liberty shop early and late, where I promise to sell anything from an old hoop skirt to a decayed piano at the highest market price. We've had some rummage sales in Washington, you know, but nothing to compare with this thorough and business-like undertaking of yours. But I won't wear your uniform. I can't afford to allow the glorious red, white, and blue to look dowdy, as it would on my unseemly form.' End of Chapter 8. Red by Cibella Denton. For more free audio books or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Chapter 9 of Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls by L. Frank Baum. Red for LibriVox.org into the public domain. Gathering Up the Threads. Josie O'Gorman had been in Dorfield several days before Mary Louise showed her the traitorous circulars that had been issued by some unknown obstructionist. At first she had been a little ashamed to acknowledge to her friend that a citizen of her own town could be so disloyal, but the matter had weighed heavily on her mind, and so she decided to unload it upon Josie's shrewter intelligence. "'I feel, dear, that the best service you can render us while here, the best you can render the nation, too, will be to try to discover this secret enemy,' she said earnestly. "'I am sure he has done a lot of harm already, and he may do much more if he is left undisturbed. Some folks are not too patriotic even now, when we are facing the most terrible ordeal in our history, and some are often so weakest to be influenced by what I am sure is pro-German propaganda.' Josie studied the various circulars. She studied the handwriting on the envelopes and the dates of the post-marks. Her attitude was tense as that of a pointer-dog who suddenly senses a trail. Finally she asked, "'Do the police know?' Mary Louise related her two interviews with Chief Farnham. "'How about the agents of the Department of Justice?' "'I don't know of any,' confessed Mary Louise. Josie put the circulars in her pocket. "'Now, then, tell me whom you suspect and why,' she said. Until now Mary Louise had not mentioned the clothing merchant to Josie, but she related Jake Casker's frank opposition to the war at the Liberty Bond mass meeting and her interview with him in his store, in which he plainly showed his antagonism to the draft and to the administration generally. She read to Josie the shorthand notes she had taken and supplemented all by declaring that such a man could be guilty of any offense. "'You see,' she concluded, all evidence points to Casker as the traitor, but Chief Farnham is stubborn and independent and we must obtain positive proof that Casker eschewed these circulars. Then we can put an end to his mischief-making. I don't know how to undertake such a job, Josie, but you do. I'm busy at the Liberty Shop, and we can spare you from there better than anyone else. So if you want to practice, here's an opportunity to do some splendid work.' Josie was a good listener. She did not interrupt Mary Louise, but let her say all she had to say concerning this interesting matter. When her friend paused for lack of words, Josie remarked, "'Every American's watch-words should be, swat the traitor. War seems to breed traitors somehow. During the Civil War they were called copperheads, as the most venomous term that could be applied to the breed. We haven't yet coined an equally effective word in this war, but it will come in time.' Meanwhile every person, man or woman, who is not wholeheartedly with President Wilson, and intent on helping win the war, is doing his country a vital injury. That's the flat truth, and I'd like to shake your Jake Casker out of his suit of hand-me-down clothing. If he isn't a traitor he's a fool, and sometimes fools are more dangerous than traitors. There, all this has got me riled and an investigator has no business to get riled. They must be calm and collected. She slapped her forehead, settled herself in her chair, and continued in a more moderate tone. Now, tell me what other people in Dorfield have led you to suspect they are not in accord with the administration, or resent our entry into the Great War. Mary Louise gave her a puzzled look. "'Aughtn't we to finish with Casker first?' she asked, hesitatingly, for she respected Josie's judgment. The girl detective laughed. I've an impression we've already finished with him. Unless I really give him that shaking," she replied. "'I'll admit that such a person is mischievous to not be shut up, either by jailing him or putting a plaster over his mouth. But I can't believe Jake Casker guilty of those circulars.' "'Why not?' in an aggrieved tone. "'Well, in spite of his disloyal mutterings, his deeds are loyal. He's disgruntled over the loss of his son, and doesn't care who knows it. But he'll stand pat and spank the kid if he doesn't fight like a tartar. He hates the war. Perhaps we all hate it in a way. But he'll buy liberty-bonds and help win a victory. I know that sort. They're not dangerous. Just at war with themselves, with folly and honesty struggling for the mastery. Let him alone, and in a few months you'll find Casker making patriotic speeches.' "'Oh, Josie. Think of someone else.'" Mary Louise shook her head. "'What? Only one string to your bow of distrust?' "'Fie, Mary Louise. When you were selling liberty-bonds, did you meet with no objectors?' "'Well, yes. There's a wholesale grocer here, who is named Silas Herring, a very rich man, but sour and disagreeable. Did he kick on the bonds?' "'Yes.' "'Then tell me all about him.' "'When I first entered his office, Mr. Herring made insulting remarks about the bonds, and accused our government of being dominated by the English. He was very bitter in his remarks, but in his office were two other men who remonstrated with him, and— What were the two men doing there? Why, they were talking about something when I entered. I didn't hear what, for when they saw me they became silent. Were they clerks, or grocers, or customers? No, one was our supervisor, Andrew Duncan, and the other man, asked Josie, our superintendent of schools, Professor Dyer. Oh, then they were talking politics. I suppose likely I was obligated to argue with Mr. Herring, and became so incensed that I threatened him with the loss of his trade. But Mr. Duncan at once subscribed for liberty bonds, and so did Professor Dyer, and that shamed Silas Herring into buying a big bunch of them also. Hmm! murmured Josie contentedly. The neither of the three had purchased any bonds until then. I think not. Grandpa Jim had himself tried to sell Mr. Herring, and had been refused. I see. How much did the supervisor invest in bonds? $500? Too little. And the Professor? $500. Too much. He couldn't afford it, could he? He said it was more than his salary warranted, but he wanted to be patriotic. Oh, well, the rich grocer took him off his hands, perhaps. No disloyal words from the Professor or the supervisor? No, indeed. They rebuked Mr. Herring and made him stop talking. Josie nodded thoughtfully. Well, who else did you find disloyal? No one so far as I can recollect. Every one I know seems genuinely patriotic. Except, as an afterthought, little Annie Boyle, and she doesn't count. Who is little Annie Boyle? No one much. Her father keeps the mansion house, one of the hotels here, but not one of the best. It's patronized by cheap traveling men and the better class of clerks, I'm told, and Mr. Boyle is said to do a good business. Annie knows some of our girls, and they say she hates the war, and denounces Mr. Wilson and everybody concerned in the war. But Annie's a silly little thing, anyhow, and of course she couldn't get out those circulars. Josie wrote Annie Boyle's name on her tablets, little ivory affairs which she always carried and made notes on. Do you know anyone else at the mansion house? She inquired. Not a soul. How old is Annie? Fourteen or fifteen? She didn't conceive her unpatriotic ideas. She has heard someone else talk, and like a parrot repeats what she's heard. Perhaps so, but all right, I'm not going to the Liberty Girl's shop tomorrow, Mary Louise. At your invitation I'll make myself scarce and nose around. To be quite frank, I consider this matter serious, more serious than you perhaps suspect. And since you put the case in my hands, I'm sure you and the dear old Colonel won't mind if I'm a bit eccentric in my movements while I'm doing detective work. I know the town pretty well from my former visits, so I won't get lost. I may not accomplish anything, but you'd like me to try, wouldn't you? Yes, indeed. That's why I've told you all this. I feel something ought to be done and I can't do it myself. Josie slipped the tablets into her pocket. Mary Louise, the United States is honeycombed with German spies, she gravely announced. They're keeping Daddy and all the Department of Justice pretty busy, so I have an inkling as to their activities. German spies are encouraged by German propagandists, who are not always German but may be Americans or even British by birth, but are nonetheless deadly on that account. The paid spy has no nationality, he is true to no one but the devil, and he and his abetters fatten on treachery. His abetters are those who repeat sneering and slurring remarks about our conduct of the war. You may set it down that whoever is not pro-American is pro-German, whoever does not favor the Allies, all of them, mind you, favors the Kaiser. Whoever is not loyal in this hour of our country's greatest need is a traitor. You're right, Josie. Now, continued Josie reflectively, you and I must both understand that we're undertaking a case that is none of our business. It's the business of Mr. Bielaski of the Department of Justice, first of all. Then it's the business of Mr. Flynn, of the Secret Service. Then it's the business of the local police. Together they have a thousand eyes, but enemy propagandists are more numerous and scattered throughout the nation. Your chief of police doesn't want to interfere with the federal agents here, and the federal agents are instructed not to pay attention to what is called spy hysteria and so they're letting things slide. But you believe and I believe that there is more treachery underlying these circulars than appears on the surface, and if we can secure evidence that is important and present it to the proper officials, we shall be doing our country a service. So I'll start out on my own responsibility. No, replied Josie, that badge is merely honorary. Daddy got it for me so that if I ever got into trouble it would help me out. But it doesn't make me a member of the Secret Service or give me a bit of authority. But that doesn't matter. When I get evidence, I know what authority to give it to, and that's all that's necessary. Anyhow, said Mary Louise, with a relieved sigh, I'm glad you are going to investigate the author of those awful circulars. It is worried me a good deal to think that Dorfield is harboring a German spy, and I have confidence that, if any one can discover the traitor, you can. That's good of you," returned Josie with a grimace, but I lack a similar confidence in myself. Don't you remember how many times I've foozled? But sometimes Josie you've won, and I hope you'll win now. Thank you," said Josie. I hope so myself. CHAPTER TEN of Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls by L. Frank Baum read for LibriVox.org into the public domain. THE EXPLOSION Day was just beginning to break when a terrible detonation shook all Dorfield. Houses rocked, windows rattled, a sudden wind blew through the window, and the door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. The door was locked. Houses rocked, windows rattled, a sudden wind swept over the town and then a glare that was not a presage of the coming sun let the sky. A brief silence acceded the shock, but immediately thereafter whistles shrieked, firebells clanged, a murmur of agitated voices crying aloud was heard on every side and the people began pouring from the houses into the streets, demanding the cause of the alarm. Colonel Hathaway, still weak and nervous, stood trembling in his bathrobe when Mary Louise came to him. It's the airplane factory, Grandpa Jim, she said. I can see it from my windows. Something must have exploded and the buildings are on fire. The airplane works of Dorfield had been one of the city's most unique institutions, but until we entered the World War it was not deemed of prime importance. The government's vast airplane appropriations, however, had resulted in the Dorfield works securing contracts for the manufacture of war machines that straightway raised the enterprise to an important position. The original plant had been duplicated a dozen times. Until now, on the big field south of the city, the cluster of buildings required for the construction of aircraft was one of the most imposing manufacturing plants in that part of the state. Skilled government aviators had been sent to Dorfield to inspect every machine turned out. Although backed by local capital, it was, in effect, a government institution because it was now devoted exclusively to government contracts. Therefore the explosion and fire filled every loyal heart with a sinister suspicion that an enemy had caused the calamity. Splendid work on the part of the fire department subdued the flames after but two of the huge shed-like buildings had been destroyed. By noon the fire was controlled, a cordon of special police surrounded the entire plant and in one of the yards a hundred and fifty workmen were corralled under arrest until the federal officers had made an investigation and decided where to place the blame. Reassuring reports had somewhat quieted Colonel Hathaway and Mary Louise, but although they returned to their rooms they could not sleep. Aunt Sally, realizing the situation, had an early breakfast prepared, but when she called Josie O'Gorman the girl was not in her room or in the house. She appeared just as the others were finishing their meal and sat down with a sigh of content. My, but the coffee smells good! she exclaimed. I'm worn out with the excitement. Did you go to the fire, Josie? asked Mary Louise. Yes, and got there in time to help drag some of the poor fellows out. Three men in the building where the explosion occurred were killed out right and two others seriously injured. Fortunately the night shift had just quit work or the casualties would have been much greater. It's dreadful as it is! said Mary Louise with a shudder. What was the cause of the explosion? inquired the Colonel. Dynamite, replied Josie, calmly. Then it was not an accident. They don't use dynamite in making airplanes. Twenty-two machines, all complete and packed ready for shipment, were blown to smithereens. A good many others, in course of construction, were ruined. It's a pretty bad mess, I can tell you, but the machines can be replaced and the lives can't. I wonder who did it, said Mary Louise, staring at her friend with frightened eyes. The Kaiser, declared Josie, he must be in fine feddle this morning since his propaganda of murder and arson has been so successful. I—I don't quite understand you, faltered Mary Louise. Josie means that this is the work of a direct emissary of the Kaiser, explained the Colonel. We know that among us are objectors and pacifists, and those who from political motives are opposing the activities of our President. But these are not dynamiters, nor do they display their disloyalty except through foolish and futile protests. One who resorts to murder and arson in an attempt to block the government's plans, and so retard our victory, is doubtless a hired assassin, and in close touch with the German master spies, who are known to be lurking in this country. That's the idea, sir, approved Josie, nodding her tousaled red head, and better expressed than any answer of mine could have been. Well, then, can't this demon be arrested and punished? asked Mary Louise. That remains to be seen, said Josie, and investigation is already under way. All the outgoing night shift and some of the incoming day shift have been held under suspicion, until they can be examined and carefully questioned. I heard your chief of police, whom I know and knows me, assert that without doubt the bomb had been placed by one of the workmen. I wonder what makes them think that. Also, the police are hunting for everyone seen loitering about the airplane plant during the past twenty-four hours. They'll spend days, perhaps weeks, in investigating, and then the affair will quiet down and be forgotten. You fear they will not be able to apprehend the criminal? From the Colonel. Not the way the police are going at it. They're virtually informing the criminal that they're hunting for him, but don't know where to find him, and that if he isn't careful they'll get him. So he's going to be careful. It is possible, of course, that the fellow is left traces, clues that will lead to his discovery and arrest. Still, I'm not banking much on that. Such explosions have been occurring for months in various parts of the country, and offenders have frequently escaped. The government suspects that German spies are responsible, but an indefinite suspicion is often as far as it gets. Evidence is lacking. How about your boasted Department of Justice and the Secret Service? asked Mary Louise. They're as good as the German spy system and sometimes a bit better. Don't think for a minute that our enemies are not clever, said Josie earnestly. Sometimes our agents make a grab. Sometimes the German spy remains undiscovered. It's diamond-cut diamond, fifty-fifty. But when we get every alien enemy sequestered in zones removed from all factories doing government work, we're going to have less trouble. A lot of these Germans and Austrians are liberty-loving Americans, loyal and true, but we must round up the innocent many in order to squelch the guilty few. The following week was one of tense excitement for Dorfield. Federal officers poured into the city to assist in the investigation. The victims were buried with honor and ceremony, wrapped in American flags, to show that these soldiers of industry had been slain by their country's foe. Courtrooms were filled with eager mobs hoping that evidence would be secured against some one of the many suspects. Gradually, however, the interest decreased as Josie had predicted it would. A dozen suspects were held for further examination and the others released. New buildings were being erected at the airplane plant, and although somewhat crippled, the business of manufacturing these necessary engines of war was soon going on much as usual. End of Chapter 10, read by Cibella Denton.