The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-04-09
I. II
Belgian
By
PAULINE BRADFORD
MACKIE
Copyright. The Frank A. Munsey Coz

All night Maurice Beaujon was pos
sessed with the certainty that Jean
was lying, wounded, in the open field
He knew the lad trusted him to come
so Beaujon tossed as a mother might
and could scarcely wait for the dawn
He talked to Jean. The stars were
paling.
There, SO, Jean"-he reached for
his boots-"so, Jean, keep up your
courage"
He raised his flask and tasted of its
contents:
so, Jean, few drops, they put
heart in man."
He stuffed loaf of bread into his
knapsack.
Now, a crumb, Jean-sor
He gathered up gauze and dressing
for wound and thrust it into his
knapsack so now, Jean, let us see.
Ah-h-h-h, that is bad, but we'll get you
well. Let me tie on this bandage.
They'll do better for you at the hos
pital, but this will serve till we get
/ there"
He flung his knapsack over his back.
$50. Jean, put your arms around my
neck Gently, gently; I'll not jar you.
That's better eh?" He laughed
''The uhlans didn't get you, Jean"
1t was gray when he went down the
road. People had their houses open,
but the shop windows were closed. At
the city gate an officer talking with
sentry recognized Maurice
Hello, Beaujon!" he called. "You
have been promoted for bravery"
Beaujon nodded as a matter of
course. He had fought like a demon
to kill men; he must have yelled like
a maniac; his throat was raw inside;
he had risen to kneeling position in
the trenches to snatch. flag which
had been shot away from Jean, and he
had waved it high above his head to
cover the retreat of his companions.
And then the uhlans we're on him
again, but he was up and running with
the flag, and he had escaped; somehow
he had escaped. 1t was a miracle. He |
never doubted Jeans safety until the
lad could not be found
Where are you going, Beaujon?"
For JEAN" Beaujon answered.
WALES, he is missing?" the officer |
asked Have you been through the |
hospitals?"
"He is not in them" Beaujon an
swered
This delay tortured him. He
knew he could make his search better
before the sun was up, for the CLEAN
of the bayonets had dazzled him yes
terday, and from the field they would
flash in his eyes again.
Beaujon pointed Wales can't be
far he added I'VE We're right in
those trenches, Just back of those
bushes"
We'll, go on, them said the off
GER: but be cautious. Remember the
wounded have been taken off the field.
You won't find him alive"
Alive thought Beaujon impa-
tiently; mo. not if this talking keeps
up much longer He saluted and
,urst away.
He stepped out into the field. He
lad known he should see the rifles and
he bayonets first, but they did not
lash upon his eyes now.
No, they were dull and graz like
he sky He gazed blankly into the
enith: his first instinct was to look
way from the ground.
There was still star shining; it was
elbow and very faint He met its
aze. 1t looked at him steadily,
linked and went out. The thought
f Jean gripped him, and he forced
imself to look down again over the
eld
There were spots ON the bushes;
hin, slow streams furrowed the
as the light increased these [
Iuggish trickles, these spiashes, were d
earlet
This was a shambIes; the world a
All the panoply Of war was gone; =
Il that made it brilliant. all that goad i
! him on, was gone. Why had he n
cen promoted for bravery? II
He was not brave now.
His mind was confused; he must 81
op: he must be clear. There was u
ord which would help him If he 81
,uld remember 1t.
He pressed his hand to his forehead. tc
ruggling for that word. All, he had u
Sure. He must be sane. RI
He strobe firmly forward, looking
either to the right nor to the left, his "
re on those bushes just beyond the
rther trench. st
He heard low means and cries, but tr
did not heed them. y.
moved in heap of ~
dies. How dead men struggled. &C
: passed on. There, out on free ie
ace OF ground, dead Belgian was
ng forward on his face. ~
Beaujon paused. Clutched in the 10
ans hand was an arm. He stared. %
len he saw that the mans other sh
m had been shot or
His heart jumped. I'M
Could that slender fellow be Jean?
went forward and turned him over. thu
hen he saw the face of stranger wa
began 10 laugh. ne
Now that the fellow did not prove wa