Tombstone epitaph., 1915-04-25

pany of paie-laced. nervous recruits about to entrain for the frontier. Yet even under these conditions Renault enjoyed a certain distinction. His companions knew him, held him iI 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.
 The journeys end arrived. The mer were hastily formed into line be- sharp command and the company moved of toward the site chosen for their camp.
 Night came. and with 1t feeling of awe. No camp-fires were permit ted to be lighted. and the sole faint general commanding the division, where a small electric-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
 
 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. It was an aeroplane. and now it 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 M. le General wishes to see you, said the man. and then. beckoning to Renault to follow, started off through the darkness.
 Renault arose He dusted of his clothing and twirled his mus.ache He, Jean Renault. must make a cred itable appearance before his com mandaat-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 stan.
 But just inside the flap of the com manders 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 Marsha Le Fevre. AS they proceed they are wrecking the telephone and telegraph wires. Our wireless outfit is crip pied. must go back 50 years 1T warfare and send an orderly with dis patches because I 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-a' least without being hindered. It ii 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. It was to bt 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 ac cepted the compliment.
 q wish you to carry a dispatch tc Marshal Le Fevre," the general wen on. If overtaken by the enemy you will admit that you are Jean Renault the famous singer-say that you art fleeing to catch a steamer for Amer ica to fill your theatrical engagement there. In that event they will prob ably believe you, and even permit vol to pass on as a noncombatant. Herr is the dispatch. Civilian clothes vii be supplied you. and you will start a once in an automobile"
 Renault was about to reply H. was planning an impressive speech but suddenly the general turned upol his heel and disappeared. An order ly hurried the singer from the tent gave him clothing, and bade hin change.
 It was too hurried-not effectiv' enough, Renault told himself. But few minutes later, disguised as him self. the worlds greatest tenor foun himself speeding along a rough roa in a high-powered motor-a messer ger of France.
 It was only trip of 50 miles. Run ming cautiously through the darkness without a headlight. the chauffeu should make it in an hour and hal in so powerful machine. But now after 40 minutes of rapid running. tn chauffeur suddenly brought the grea car to a standstiIl. Ahead was som obstacle, and now from its direction flashed a searchlight. Dimly Renaul made out another automobile. It Wa filled with officers in the field uniforr of Germany.
 Now was his chance. the time t act. his task being to deceive thes officers by pretending to be what h really was, and not a soldier c France. He saw revolvers leveled a him and his companion. He hear other machines drawing up. It wa the advance guard-the scouting part of the invading army. He woul' quickly satisfy their questions an then proceed at top speed to war