The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-03-04

/ JACK on o. German outpost MAIDEN -
stretch Of woods had been decided on.
Creeping, crawling, sliding on their
stomachs, the regiment stealthily NOV
ed into the danger zone. German SEN
tries were cut down by silent blades.
\ The Germans, unsuspecting any DAN
ger, were seated around a fire drink
ing coffee. .eating bread and telling
stories Of the war.
| Suddenly crash of rifle shots was
| heard. Four or five members Of the
outpost fell dead or dying. Their
comrades seized guns, and san
culinary conflict ensued. At last the
survivors of the German troop, out
numbered, were dispersed in confusion.
At roll call by the first sergeants Of
the different companies of the Upper
airy guards the name Of Patrick Roo
ney, Company q, received no answer.
Patrick Rooney was officially listed
and published as missing"
Days later, when Molly received the
news. she became Frustrated. Her
grief was inconsolable. Michael sought
| " COulOIt ucI. LIZ was INV CAIlIcly
well and ready to return to war.
"Don't think l want to take advantage
Of soldier who may still be alive"
he said at parting. III make no more
love to you until l find out whether
Paddy is alive or dead. I'll take my
chances against him if he is alive"
Scouting duty fell to the lot of
Michael on his return to active service.
Fleeing from a party of German troop
ers near Verdun who had caught
glimpses of him, Michael sought shell
ter in what appeared to be deserted
farm building. In the semi-darkness
he saw two figures. He raised his RI
fle. They raised their weapons.
"Who are ye? asked Michael tensely.
'He's an Irishman sure by his voice."
Michael heard one say to the other.
''That's good enough fer u.s."
Reassured. Michael lowered his rifle
and stepped warily forward.
Could it be possible? Yes, surely
enough before him were Paddy Rooney
and George Murray of the Tipperary
guards!
The two rivals for the hand of Molly
Molloy gazed at each other in amaze
ment.
81 heard you were killed" said Pat
rick.
81 thought you were dead,' answer
ed Michael.
II had narrow escape" responded
Patrick. George Murray and meself
have been hiding hereabouts for weeks.
The Dutchmen have been so thick
around us that We couldn't get back to
our lines"
Eyes, and they're after me now
They saw me come this way" said
Michael. ''and"-suddenly he paused
and peered through a window -"and
there they come now"' he exclaimed
eXcitedly.
The other two men followed the di-
rection of Michael's gaze. Sure enough.
large scouting party of Germans was
advancing down hill and directly to-
ward the hiding place.
Maloney's brain was working quick
ly. He was struggling with his inner
self
Finally bespoke in solemn tones:
"Paddy Rooney. you and I wuz old
time school friends. You won the heart
f-Molly-Molloy-t girl | love
too" The soldiers voice broke. But
she -loyes-you-and- to
save-you." He paused. then went on:
"The Germans only saw one man
come this way. If they shoot one man
they'll pass on. The other two will be
safe"
"What do you mean?' gasped Pat
rick.
II mean this, me bhoy: I'm going to
60 outside. If the Germans get me.
why, they get me. that's all. And Mol
ly Molloy will not lose her Paddy. I'm
doing this for Molly
mo. nor cried Patrick. springing to-
ward him. But the move was too late.
Michael swung the door open and sped
along the roadway. which wound along
the foot of the hill.
Rooney and Murray looked anxious
ly through the window. They heard a
volley of rifle shots. and they saw
Michael Maloney. private of the front
rank of the Tipperary guards. fall
headlong into ditch. The scouting
troopers scrambled down to the road
way and turned the body over on its
back to make certain that the man was
dead. One of them raised his rife and
with a violent thrust drove his glitter
ing sword bayonet through the throat
of their victim.
"Wir wollen eS sicher machen!' 1--WE
will make sure) he grunted. Soon the
troopers disappeared in the distance.
Patrick turned to Murray, tears
streaming down his cheeks.
1--WE heerd." he said chokingly, that
blessed is he who gives his life for a
friend!