The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-27
II
Belgian
Bp
PAULINE BRADFORD
MACKIE


sessed with the certainty that Jean
was lying, wounded, in the open field.
He knew the lad trusted him to come,
30 Beaujon tossed as q 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:
80. Jean. a few drops. they put
heart In q man."
He stuffed 4 loaf of bread into his
knapsack.
Nov, a crumb, Jean-so!"-
He gathered up gauze and dressing
for . wound and thrust It into bis
knapsack $50 now. Jean, let US see
Ah-h-h-h. that is bad. but we'll get you
we'll. 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
so, Jean, put your arms around my
neck 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 we're closed. Al
the city gate an officer talking with q
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
. maniac; his throat was raw inside;
he had risen to kneeling position In
the trenches to snatch flag which
had been shot away from Jean, and h
bad waved i high above his head t
cover the retreat Of his companions.
And then the uhlans were on hin
again. but he was up and running will
the flag, and he had escaped; somehow
he had escaped. It was a miracle. H,
never doubted Jeans safety until thu
lad could not be found.
where are you going. Beaujon?"
For JEAN" Beaujon answered.
WALES. he is missing?" the ONCE
asked. Have you been through tn
hospitals?"
HE is not in them" Beaujon an
swered.
| This delay tortured him. HI
knew he could make his search bette
before the sun was up, for the CLEAN
Of the bayonets had dazzled him yes
terday. and from the held they woul'
flash in his eyes again.
Beaujon pointed. WALES can't b
far" he added. I'VE were right i
those trenches. just back Of thos
bushes"
well, go on, them" said the OF
Ger: but be cautious. Remember tn
wounded have been taken OF the fClt
You won't fnd him alive"
Alive" thought Beaujon imp,
tiently; mo. not II this talking keep
up much longer" He saluted an
burst away
He stepped out into the field. H
had known ne should see the rifles an
the bayonets first. but they did nc
fash upon his eyes now.
No, they were dull and gray lik
the sky. He gazed blankly into tn
zenith; his first instinct was to loo
away from the ground.
There -as still star shining: It va
yellow ~ very faint. He met II
gaze. It looked at him steadil,
blinked. and went out. The though
Of Jean gripped him, and he force
himself to look down again over tn
6eld
There were spots on the bushes
thin, slow streams furrowed II
, ground: a. the light increased thet
sluggish trickles. these splashes. wei
scarlet
This was a shambles; the world
slaughterhouse.
Y All the panoply Of war was CONT
| all that made It brilliant. all that goa
, ed hin on. was gone. Why had I
been promoted for bravery?
He was not brave now.
His mind was confused; he mu
stop: he must be clear. There was
word which would help him II
could remember It.
He pressed his hand to his forehea
,, struggling for that word. All. he h,
II! Sure. He must be sane.
! He strobe firmly forward. lookil
neither to the right nor to the left. h
gaze on those bushes Just beyond Il
farther trench.
He heard low means and cries, b
he did not heed them.
Something moved in q heap
bodies. How dead men struggle
He passed on. There, out on . fr
space of ground. q dead Belgian "
!. lying forward on his. face.
Beaujon paused. Clutched in Z
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 Jea
: He went forward and turned him ov
When he saw the face Of . stranl
l. he began to laugh.
Now that the fellow did not pro
to be Jean. he saw how comical It VI