Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-04-23
II
Belgian
-
BD
PAULINE BRADFORD
MACKIE

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 we're |
paling
There, so. Jean"-he reached for
his boots-"so. Jean, keep up your
courage"
He raised his flask and tasted of its
contents:
$50, Jean, a few drops. they put
heart in a man."
He stuffed a loaf Of bread into his
knapsack.
Now, crumb, Jean-soi"
He gathered up gauze and dressing
for q wound and thrust 1t into his
knapsack. $50 now, Jean, let us see.
Ah-h-h-h, that is bad, but wen 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
peck. Gently, gently; I'll not jar you.
That's better. eh?" He laughed
~The uhlans didn't get you. Jean"
It 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 a 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
ne had escaped It 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" Beauion 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 were right in
those trenches, just back OF those
bushes"
Well. go on, then" said the ON
Ger; but be cautious Remember the
wounded have been taken on the field
You won't find him alive"
Alive" thought Beauion impa.
tiently; mo, not if this talking keeps
up much longer" He saluted and
burst away.
He stepped out into the field. He
bad known he should see the rifles and
the bayonets first, but they did moi
flash upon his eyes now.
No; they were dull and gray like
the sky. He gazed blankly into this
zenith; his first instinct was to looi
away from the ground.
There was still star shining; 1t wa
yellow and very faint. He met itl
gaze. It looked at him steadily
blinked, and went out. The though
Of Jean gripped him, and he forcee
himself to look down again over thu
field.
There were spots on the bushes
thin, slow streams furrowed tn
ground; as the light increased thes
sluggish trickles, these splashes, wer
scarlet
This was shambles; the world
slaughterhouse.
All the panoply of war was gone
all that made 1t brilliant, all that goat
ed him on, was gone. Why had
been promoted for bravery?
He was not brave now.
His mind was confused; he mus
stop; he must be clear. There was
word which would help him II b
could remember 1t.
He pressed his hand to his forehea,
struggling for that word. All, he ha
It! Sure. He must be sane.
He strobe firmly forward, lookin
neither to the right nor to the left, b.
gaze on those bushes just beyond th
farther trench.
He heard low means and cries, b,
he did not heed them.
Something moved in a heap
bodies. How dead men struggled
He passed on. There, out on a fre
space Of ground, dead Belgian VIZ
lying forward on his face
Beaujon paused. Clutched in Il
mans hand was an arm. He stare
Then he saw that the mans 9th,
arm had been shot on
His heart jumped
Could that slender fellow be JeaI
He went forward and turned him owe
tghen he saw the face Of a strang
he began to laugh.
Now that the fellow did not pro,
to be Jean. he saw how comicf IT wa
What did he expect to do with h
arm. Run to the hospital with it
have IL sewed on?
Beaujon pursued his search. chuc
ling.
The east grew rosy and sweet. co
breeze blew against him. The ID
promised to be fine and clear He wi
glad OF that.
Jean always liked To lie fiat on h