Free Hope Takes Flight by Gilbert Morris Page B

Secretary. Mr. Wilson needs you.”
    â€œI had hoped so, but we seem to be going in different directions. I’ve urged him to take some firm measures without declaring war. For example, I asked him to encourage, even command Americans to stop traveling on ships belligerent to the Germans. But he said, ‘That’s impossible in a democracy.’ I tried to get him to issue a warning to the British to observe the neutral zones, but he has even refused to do that.” Bryan regarded Amos sadly. “Now I’m afraid of what’s going to happen.”
    â€œI’d appreciate it if you’d let me go with you to talk to the president…if you have to, that is,” Amos said. He knew that by being with Bryan, he would absorb some of the things that were coming out of the White House.
    Bryan smiled genially, if a little sadly. “Of course, of course, my boy. Be glad to have you.”
    For the next three days, Amos stayed very close to William Jennings Bryan. And each day, it became more evident that things were not going well. Finally on Wednesday, Bryan spoke to him just before the office closed, and said in an unsteady voice, “I’ve decided to see the president. If you’d care to go along, I’d be glad to have you, Amos.”
    â€œCertainly, Mr. Secretary,” Amos said quickly.
    He did not question Bryan, but got into the automobile with him, and the two of them went to the White House. On Pennsylvania Avenue, they got out of the car and went inside.
    When they handed their hats to the servant, Bryan turned to Amos. “You’ll have to wait in the sitting room. I’ll see you after I’ve talked with the president.”
    â€œI’ll be waiting. And I’ll be praying for you, Mr. Bryan.”
    Bryan looked at Amos gratefully, a warm light in his eyes. “I appreciate that, more than you know. And I know you mean it, Amos.”
    He turned and left. The servant showed Amos into a large sitting room filled with uncomfortable chairs. He sat there for nearly an hour, wondering about the meeting between these two stalwart Presbyterian elders. Finally, when Bryan came back, one look gave him the answer.
    â€œHe would not see it my way,” Bryan said brokenly. There were tears in his eyes. He stared at Amos and said, “We will have war…although you mustn’t print that. That’s not my announcement to make. But I wanted you to know. Maybe you can say some things in your paper that will prepare the country for it.”
    â€œI’ll do the best I can, and of course I wouldn’t print anything without your permission.”
    William Jennings Bryan dropped his head. He seemed almost to be praying. Then he looked up at Amos. “A British duke—Lord Gray, I think it was—said something the other day.…” He hesitated, then dropped his voice to a near whisper. “Gray said, ‘The lights are going out all over the world.…We won’t see a light again in our lifetime!’”

5
A V ISITOR FOR L YLAH
    T he audience at the Palace Theatre came to their feet as the curtain fell, the fine old building reverberating with their applause. Lylah, her eyes gleaming with excitement, grasped her friend, Helen Ulric, by the arm and whispered, “Listen to that! Isn’t it wonderful!”
    Helen, after three months, was still surprised at the effect an audience had on Lylah Stuart. She smiled and shook her head. “Go on and take your bow. It’s you they want…not me.”
    Helen watched as Lylah moved to the front of the stage, smiled, and waved gracefully at the audience. As Helen looked on, the thought came to her: I’ll never feel as strongly about the theater as she does. She loves it better than she loves air!
    Helen thought back over the run of the play which had been a hit beyond the expectations of the backers. She remembered the first time she had met Lylah Stuart, how a hot streak