The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-08-25


and Antoine Marceau who earns ten
francs the day. Such is fate. So
France Wills"
Van der, Wynt spoke up. What is
the fee for the release of a conscript?"
he asked the officer. Il will gladly
pay any sum you ask to free M. Re
nault from service. will buy sub
stitute for him"
The soldier smiled. There will be
no substitute" he said. IF there
were men available for substitution
we would draft them, too. France
calls all-rich and poor alike"
Renault paled. Then the dramatic
side of the situation appealed to him.
He turned to Alys.
Dear heart" he said, 81 go to war.
go for France and for thee. No
longer shall be a soldier of the foot
hghts-a make-believe warrior with
tin sword against a singing enemy.
From this moment l am a soldier of
France. / shall show them. /, Jean
Renault, shall return to thee not only
the greatest of living tenors. but a
wearer of the Legion d'Honneur-a
hero of this war with Germany. Bah!
May. l encounter this boaster Berg
hoff. He is less than the shadow of
dog-a miserable whining conscript
who cannot even beat time with a
baton let alone parry the sword
thrusts of Jean Renault!"
Then, with the instinct of dra-
matte exit, he strobe from the garden
while the saber of the soldier accom-
panying him clanked against the
stones.
A few hours later Jean Renault,
who had not seen military service for
five years, stood uniformed and armed
at the railway station, not in the CEN
ter Of the stage, but one of COM
pany OF pale-faced, nervous recruits
about to entrain for the frontier. Yet
even under these conditions Renault
enjoyed a certain distinction. His
companions knew him, held him in
awe, the greatest of French tenors.
They boarded the cars. The train
moved, and Jean Renault, soldier of
France, was being hurried toward the
enemy.
Inc emu dTT1V6Q. Inc
men were hastily formed into line be-
side the railroad track. There was
a sharp command and the company
moved off toward the site chosen for
their camp.
Night came, and with 1t a feeling
of awe. No camp-fires were permit
ted to be lighted, and the sole faint
glimmer came from the tent of the
general commanding the division,
where a small electEic-battery lamp
was carefully shrouded to prevent its
rays being seen from a distance. On
the ground, wrapped in his blanket,
lay Jean Renault, thinking of Alys
and dreaming of his contract with the
Metropolitan Opera company. Also
he thought of the possibility of his
being shot. and his flesh grew cold.
Overhead there was faint whirring
sound. Dimly he made out a great
bird-like shape lowering down in his
direction. He sat up and then laughed
softly. 1t was>an aeroplane, and now
1t touched the earth almost noise
lessly.
A scout of course. Renault turned
over and tried to sleep. But a few
moments later a dark figure edged
toward him. A hand was placed upon
his shoulder and he sat up, startled.
IN. lie General wishes to see YOU"
said the man, and then, reckoning to
Renault to follow, started off through
the darkness.
Renault arose. He busted off his
clothing and twirled his mustache.
He, Jean Renault, must make a cred
table appearance before his COM
mandant-this man, a mere soldier,
not yet, If ever he should be, a world
known figure. Doubtless, thought
Renault, the general wished him to
join his staff
But just inside the flap of the COM
mander's tent a sharp voice awakened
the tenor from his reverie.
''Renault," said the grizzled vet
eran of Sedan, my aeroplane scout
has just reported that the enemy are
invading France. They have crossed
the border and are marching between
our column and that of the Marshal
lie Fevre. AS they proceed they are
wrecking the telephone and telegraph
OuT Wl0leSS Is
pied. I must go back so years in
warfare and send an orderly with dis
patches because 1 dare not risk be-
traying our position by using rockets
or firebrand signals"
'How Interesting" remarked Re-
nault with a smile.
The general scowled. There is one
man in my ranks who can pass the
German lines without detection-at
least without being hindered. 1t is
you, Renault"
Renault swelled out his chest. One
man in the army of France-Renault.
Naturally, In time of danger the gen.
eral would turn to him. 1t was to be
expected.
You are known throughout the
world as a singer-a play actor" the
general continued. Renault over
looked the slip of the tongue and &C.
cepted the compliment.
Il wish you to carry dispatch to
Marshal LIE Fevre," the general went
on. IF overtaken by the enemy you
will admit that you are Jean Renault,
the famous singer-say that you are
fleeing to catch steamer for Amer
lea to fill your theatrical engagement
there. In that event they will prob
ably believe you, and even permit you
to pass on as noncombatant. Here
is the dispatch. Civilian clothes will
be supplied you, and you will start at
once in an automobile"
Renault was about to reply. He
was planning an impressive speech,
but suddenly the general turned upon
his heel and disappeared. An order
ly hurried the singer from the tent,
gave him clothing, and babe him
change.
1t was too hurried-not effective