Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-07-26


Heron smiles.
DO you want TO rob me of the
glory?" he says,
That's ionsense," retorts Hamil-
ton, fmpatIeutly. You dent care
brass farthing for the glory; you know
that. Heron. For Heavens sake, think
Of the mother and the woman waiting
It home in England for you I've no
one waiting for NE"
Heron turns away, impa.iently.
you are a good FELLOW, Charlie" he
says. in a low voice. "but-but you
;on't know how poWerless that sort of
appeal mrst DC to me. Don't waste any
more words on me; | shall go; good
night. good-by, perhaps, for this will
come off tonight, i think, and, as you
say, it may be serious If anything
happens, tell my ,nother--l.t-tut!
shall be back before breakfast, and if
not. YOU will know whs, 10 say better
than | can tell you. Goodnight" and,
gently releasing himself, he strobe out
into the night.
A few stars shone iinly in the
heavens, theiI cold pallor contrasting
with the glare of the shells that at IN
tervals arose from behind tie enemy's
trenches and few. shrieking, into the
town
Heron stands for a few minutes,
looking out into the darkness with
dreamy abstraction.
He knows we'll that the adventure
before him is dangerous that the
plain stretching before him might we'll
DC likenel to the plain Of the Shadow
| Of Death-that in all probability he
shah never see England again; but
! though his mothers loving face rises
before him, there is another beside it
toward which his heart turns yearn-
ingly.
Thank Heaven" he murmus, we
parted in peace. Come what will of
this nights work, we parted in peace
our hands have touched"
Then with long breath. he throws
of his soft mood. AMI strides through
the silent streets to the generals
quarters.
An hour later, and. with noiseless,
cat-like caution, the attacking party
steals out OF the fortress and glides
| into the night. There has been no
sound of bugle, no clatter Of arms. no
word spoken. save the low, whispered
word of command; like some dumb
animal stealing forth to spring upon
its prey, the little column makes its
/ way into the darkness.
| Even the horses seem to understand
that noise means death, for they tread
cautiously and peer about them with
expanded nostrils and erect, nervous
ears.
Clad in his dark. stained military
Iovercoat, Heron rides at the head,
his hand upon his sword-hilt, ready at
moment to draw it forth with the
" ord to attack.
| Reside him rides the straight figure
Of Parks, who, by dint of enJreaty and
sheer stubbornness, has obtained
Herons permission to accompany him.
What Parks thinks of the business
no one can gather from his face. Al
most as calm and impressive as his
master, he rides beside him, his eyes
continually seeking Heron's face.
Perfectly silent the company max es
its way, anxious eyes watching !. from
tie fort. anxious eyes strained to tie
tect the first sign OF any discovery Gu
the part of the enemy.
Lying upon their breasts and staring
into the night, Pierpoinr and Hamil
IN watcl eagerly.
do You think they will do it?" asks
Hamilton
Pierp0nt grunts doubtfully.
Cant say, It's hundred TO one
against them. If a horse reighs or q
Imam sneezes before they cross the
plain, out of range. they are lost"
! Hamilton groans.
Poor, old Heron, / shall look well
! if | have to go to his mother and tell
her how it ended, wish my hand
had been cut off before / eDticed him
here with that internal letter OF
/ mine"
Pierpont mods.
AT any rate, If he gets to close
quarters, hen sell his life at pretty
high figure. | can't soc them now
We shall hear them directly wish tc
Heaven | were in it"
Yard by yard the long. dark line
creeps across the plain. Another hun
bred yards or 50. and 1t will have pass
ed out of the direct range Of fire. and
reach the west of the enemy's line.
Bending forward in his saddle
| Heron peers into the darkness He car
see the light of the Russian camp fires
can hear the thud of the sentinei az
he grounds his gun For the first time
for many a long day Heron's heart
beats fast. his eyes flash, the blood
runs swiftly through his veins.
After all. war is the proper thing
/ for man Even if he lies stff and
stark in the trenches yonder he sill
have hal for one quarter Of an hoGr q
! full aul perfect life.
Z Suileny she'll whistles through
ne air. right above their heads. and
hrows ong streak of light fun down
upoH hem.
The NEXT minute the Stiffness is cleft
Ia twain hv the sound Of a buple civ
( iae he alarm. lights fash, a gun fires,
hey are discovered. 20
Out 10 The night springs HC~on's
sword, decp, hJ.[ charge bursts
/ "a roar from his excited men. raey
/ follow him ar he dashes forward.
! 4 JUL cchoing roae Of cucouraTe-