War-time Silhouettes | Page 3

he was born and brought up, education in
business principles is combined with the theory of family duty.
Whether this theory takes the place of affection or not, its application in
the case of Mr. Reiss resulted in his migration at an early age to
England, where he soon found a market for his German industry, his
German thriftiness, and his German astuteness. He established a
business and took out naturalization papers. Until the War came Mr.
Reiss was growing richer and richer. His talent for saving kept pace
with his gift for making.
He spent evening after evening, when he came home from the City,
thinking out different ways of tying up his fortune on Percy, so that it
could remain intact as long as possible. Some of his schemes for
insuring the safety of his capital, for the resettlement of the greater part
of the income by trustees--for combining, in fact, a maximum of
growing power for the fortune with a minimum of enjoyment for the
heir--were really marvels of ingenuity.
But since the War his thoughts have taken a different turn. Half his
fortune has gone. He is too old now to catch up again. It's all over with
money-making. The most he can hope for is to keep "the little that is
left." If only Percy had been older and had a son, he could settle the
money upon his great-nephew. Then there would have been time for
the money to accumulate again.
And now he's gone to the Front. He might be killed. It doesn't bear
thinking about. He has toiled all his life. Surely after all his
self-sacrifice and self-denial he is not to be robbed of the one
satisfaction he asks for, to know that the beggarly remains of his wealth
shall be safe after his own death.
Every day he scans the papers anxiously. His one preoccupation is the
daily casualty list.
* * * * *
Spring is at hand, and though there is chill in the air Mr. Reiss is

economical and sits before an empty grate. Self-mortification always
seems to him to be evidence of moral superiority and to confirm his
right to special grievances. He is reading a letter over again received
that morning from Percy. It bears the stamp of the Base Censor and is
some days old.
DEAR UNCLE ADOLF,
You remember my friend Jimmy Staples--the one I told you about, who
was engaged and I lent that money to? Well, he's been killed, or rather
he has just died of wounds. He has done splendidly. Our Brigadier had
sent in his name for a V.C. I'll tell you all about it when I see you. But
what I wanted to say is that it's all right about the money. I've got lots
in the bank now, and in another couple of months I shall be able to pay
you back. One can't spend anything much out here. I'm quite fit, but I'm
rather in the blues about Jimmy. Mother will give you all my news.
Your affectionate Nephew.
P.S.--By the way, I gave your name as nearest relative in case of
accidents, to save mother.
Mr. Reiss has a curious and unaccustomed feeling of flatness as he
re-reads the letter. Somehow or other he does not want Percy to pay
him back that fifty pounds. He thinks he'll write and tell him so at once.
He sits down at the writing-table--the same one at which he had written
the cheque the last time he saw Percy. The scene comes back to him
with a strange vividness as he dips his pen in the ink. He hesitates a
moment before beginning the letter. Was there anything he could say
that would please Percy? He has a curious and at the same time a strong
desire to do something now--at once. He has never felt like this before.
Supposing he were to--A knock on the door. His servant brings in a
telegram. Why do Mr. Reiss's fingers tremble so? Why does Mr. Reiss
begin cleaning his glasses before he opens the envelope?
He holds the pink paper under the lamp.
Deeply regret to inform you....
Mr. Adolf Reiss does not need to read farther, and now he has a final
grievance against Life.

IN THE TRUE INTEREST OF THE NATION

II

IN THE TRUE INTEREST OF THE NATION
Sir Matthew Bale, baronet and Member of Parliament, appears to be, at
first sight, a distinguished person. When you know him better, you ask
yourself what misled you, and you reconsider his personality. Careful
scrutiny reveals that he is a skilful imitation. On the other hand, he is
not just a façade, for there is will behind the mask. His imitation is, in
fact, the result of an endeavour