Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-07-26
Parks, isn't that mis- name ,"


open his mouth. | wish to Heavenh he
was safe home! It's all very well for
most us fellows. and it doesn't much
matter TO any of us-eXceptiGg Bobby
here who's got coronet in view, and
VINO ought to be safe in bed at the
castle-whether We get knocked over
or not, but Letchford-hang it, you
know it's absurd Here's a man already
90 his title-an estate second to none
in England-anl engaged TO be mar
ried. What the deuce does he want
knocking about in this pandemonium?
It's a lnystery-hush, ne is"
And ne turns as the door opens and
the tall figure of Heron Letchford
enters
Like the rest. his face is begrimed
with powder, his long military over
coat stained and patched, his long
boots covered with mud
AS he enters, he takes off his coat
and throws it aside. revealing the fact
that his uniform is as seedy as the
cloak, ana that it is. III addition,
stained with blood
Halloa!" exclaims Charlie Hamil-
tom anything the matter, Letchford ?"
The matter? On" glancing down at
the stain. "A splinter from a shell
struck me in the arm-nothing to
speak CT and he throws himself
DOWN beside the fire, and stares at the
meat with the calm. absent air which
sits upon MIN like garment.
"All right at the magazine says
the man next him.
Heron mods.
Yes, we have packed it around with
sand and meal-bags not an hour too
soon, for they had got the range and
threw a shell right against it; Two
men were wounded"
Three, including Yourself" mutters
Hamilton.
They have gone into hospital" goes
on Heron, unheeding the interruption.
Yes, the magazine is safe now,
think"
"A good thing. too" says Hamilton,
grumblingly. Now you'll find some
other dangerous work, | suppose"
Heron smiles grimly.
Difficult to find anything to do that
isn't dangerous. Is the quart set"
Yes; don't worry yourself about
that" retorts Hamilton. Make your
self comfortable and eat your supper
We are quite ready. Have some cham
payne.
Heron takes the horn cup.
.1,izh = ,,,a, h, -r,.,-
a smile
so Go l, exclaims the peer, laugh
ing, II should very much like to wash
my face, just as treat. We must
be running very short now"
I'VE are" remarks Pierpoint; "the
men are on halfrations. Something
will have TO be done If the enemy
hadn't got the well We saculd be able
to keep them at bay for another
month. It's always something-if it
isn't liquor it's grub. was shut up
in Paris, YOU know, ard there you
heard the same cTy-'Give us food, and
We will keep EN- out forever,
THE question Is. says Hamilton,
what are we to do? Are we going to
keep it up until every drop Of water is
gone, and then give in quietly, or
make a dash for it? I'd rather do the
after"
And |, Slys Heron, quietly.
oh, yes! exclaims Hamilton, in
stantly, of course you are ready for
any mad trick! If l were in your
shoes should be only 100 ready to end
the game"
Would you?" says Heron, looking at
him with the same grave smile.
Yes" retorts Hamilton, promptly,
you've no right here at all, and l wish
III been in Jericho when l wrote that
COMPOUNDED letter."
Nonsense" says Heron, carelessly.
Il am enjoying it. 1t is something
rev for me, and good fun. l don't
see why you should distress yourself
on M behalf. Charles"
Don't you? l do. can plainly
see that if somebody doesn't put you
in a strait-waistcoat youIl be doing
some mad trick or other. and get
knocked en- the head"
heron laughs and turns the subject
sn't that meat done?" he asks.
The cook, a man who few monta7
ago would rather have walkel a mile
lnan get his boots muddy. laughed and
served up the meal
But when he mad got lis share,
Heron dill not seem very nuu sry. anl
after a few mouthfuls lay back on his
elbow end smoked his pipe in en-
temalaJive silence
RUd2 as was he menu, the dinner
was eaten villa a gUsto which the
@Oung men had found missing a the
Reform AMI the Rag" ana they one
and all lii the pipe Of peace h1lI fell TO
smoking
They had all done kard days
WORK; the enemv, a relentless old yelp-
ing fox. was within cannot-shot, the
worst KIM Of -drought-stared
hem in the face. not one OF their
lives was worth a five pounds pur-
chase. and yet they lay back and chat
ted, laughed and iokcd as carelessly
and noHchalantlg as if they ha beer
reclining on the select fautenis of a
club s:nOking-rOom.
Heron alone lay back silent and alb
stracted. but though his eyes were
cics2 ID. No was not asleep.
II HIS ears the laughter and the
voices If his companions sound indis-
met and iream-like, the rough hut
. 'alf ilied with smoke. fades into air,
and before rim rises the slim. graceful