The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1915-01-21

| fcf oar hOo@D. f0S NE 04o u
ss!" they repeated. swallowing ths
words as II they had the tasts q Q
stimulant
But Dellarns knew that II would
not take much to precipitats Q break.
He himself felt that he had been on
| that knoll half . lifetime. He looked
at his watch and It vas Eve 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 Deliarme's glance toward
regimental headquarters showed the
flag that was the signal for with
drawai. Could he accomplish 1t? The
first lieutenant. with . shattered arm.
had gone on q litter. The old ser
geant was dead. . victim of the colo
nial wars. Used to fighting savage en-
emfes. he had been too eager In ex-
posing himself to 4 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 soing!"
"GOing-going! Careful! Men OF
the first section going!" the parched
throats repeated in thrilling whisper.
Those who remain keep increasing
their fre!" called Dellarme again.
Cover the whole breadth OF the
trench!"
Every fourth man wormed himself
backward on his stomach until he was
below the skyline, when his stiftened
limbs brought him to his feet and he
started on q dead run down into the
valley and toward a cut behind an
other knoll across the road from the
Galland house. The others followed at
intervals.
Once across . road and up three So
ries of steps Of the other garden ter
race. behind . breastwork of sand
bags. the company rested. Most of
thsm 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 . nod and
smile. They had witnessed too much
horror that day to talk about 1t. But
Stransky foraged.
Marta. coming out ON the veranda.
saw him.
You are tired! You are hungry!"
she said with urgent gentleness.
Come int"
He followed her into the house and
dropped on Q leather chair before q
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 a maid
with a sad. winsome face and tender
eyes brought him wine and bread and
cold meat and jam. He gulped down
glassful Of wine; he ate with great
mouthfuls in the ravenous call Of
healthy. exhausted tissues, while the
maid stood by to cut more bread.
when It comes to eating after tight
ing"
He looked up when the first pangs
of hunger were assuaged. Enormous,
broadehouldered. 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 a sting
ing blow In the face. He received 1t
as a mastiif 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. ut was a good one, and
you meant 1t, 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 a finger
at her and grinned and drew his eyes
together in a sQuint at the bridge of
his nose, making funny face that
brought a laugh.
"Your child?" Stransky asked Minna.
Yes"
where's her father? Away fight
ing?"
II don't know where he isl"
"Oh!" he mused. WAS that blow
for him at the same time as for me1"
he pursued thoughtfully.
"Yes. 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 a
gentleness singularly out of keeping
with his rough aspect.
"Why?" she demanded.
i've never studied any books Of eti-
quette of polite society. and l am .
poor sort at making speeches. anyhow.
But want to kiss good woman's