Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-12-25


not take much to precipitate a break.
He himself felt that he had been on
that knoll half lifetime. He looked
at his watch and n was five o'clock.
For seven hours they had held on.
The Grays' trench was complete the
breadth Of the slope; more reserves
were coming up. The brigade COM
mander of the Grays was going to
make sure that the next charge sue
ceeded.
At last Dellarme's glance toward
regimental headquarters showed the
flag that was the signal for with
drawal. Could he accomplish it? The
first lieutenant, with shattered arm,
had gone on a litter. The old SER
geant was dead, victim of the colo
NAL wars. Used to fighting savage en-
emies, he had been too eager in ex-
posing himself to a civilized foe. He
had been shot through the throat.
Men of the first section" Dellarme
called, you will slip out of line with
the greatest care not to let the enemy
know that you are going!"
"Going-going! Careful! Men of
the first section going!" the parched
threats repeated in thrilling whisper.
Those who remain keep increasing
their fire!" called Dellarme again.
Cover the whole breadth Of the
trench!"
l. Every fourth man wormed himself
| backward on his stomach until he was
below the skyline, when his stiffened
limbs brought him to his feet and he
started on dead run down into the
valley and toward cut behind an
other knoll across the road from the
Galland house The others followed at
| intervals.
Once across a road and up three Sc
ries of steps Of the other garden ter
race, behind a breastwork of sand
bags, the company rested. Most Of
them had fallen asleep on the ground
after finishing their rations, logs of
men in animal exhaustion. Some of
those awake were too weary to give
to each other more than a nod and
smile. They had witnessed too much
horror that day to talk about it. But
Stransky foraged
Marta, coming out on the veranda,
saw him.
"You are tired! You are hungry"
she said with urgent gentleness.
Come I'M"
He followed her into the house and
I dropped on leather chair before a
shining table In room paneled with
oak, wondering at her and at himself.
No woman of Marta's world had ever
| spoken in that way to him. But it
was good to sit down. Then maid
with a sad, winsome faceNand tender
eyes brought him wine and bread and
cold meat and jam. He gulped down
a glassful of wine; he ate with great
healthy, exhausted tissues, while the
maid stood by to cut more bread.
when it comes to eating after fight
ing"
He looked up when the first pangs
of hunger were assuaged. Enormous,
broad-shouldered, physical, his cheeks
flushed with wine, his eyes opened
wide and brilliant with the fire that
was in his nature-eyes that spoke the
red business of anarchy and war.
"Say, but you're pretty!"
Springing up, he caught her hand
and made to kiss her in the brashness
of impulse. Minna struck him sting.
ing blow in the face. He received II
as mastiff would receive a bite from
a pup, and she stood her ground, her
eyes challenging his fearlessly.
$50 you are like that!" he said
thoughtfully. 1T was good one, and
you meant it, too.
decidedly" she answered. There's
more where that came FRONT"
Then little Clarissa Eileen entered
and pressed against her mothers
skirts, subjecting Stransky to child
hoods scrutiny. He waved q finger
at her and grinned and drew his eyes
together in a squint at the bridge Of
his nose, making funny face thai
brought a laugh.
"Your child?" Stransky asked Minna
yes"
where's her father? Away fight
ing?"
81 don't know where he isl"
"Oh" he. unused. WAS that blow
for him at the same time as for me?'
he pursued thoughtfully.
Eyes, for all of your kind"
"M-m-m!" came from between his
lips as he rose. would you mind hold
ing out your hand?" he asked with {
gentleness singularly out of keeping
with his rough aspect.
"Why?" she demanded.
1--WE never studied any books of Ell
quette of polite society, and 1 am ,
poor sort at making speeches, anyhow
But I want to kiss good woman
hand by way of apology. / neve
kissed one in my life, but Pm gettin,
lot of new experiences today. VIII
your"
She held out her hand at arm
| lon 9th apd frchad oil oht1v &c h.