Tombstone epitaph., 1915-04-11
4 BeNidn
 
 Bp PAULINE BRADFORD MACKIE
ICopyright. The Frank A. Munsey CO

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 were
 There. so. Jean"-he reached for his boots--'so. Jean, keep up your courage"
 He raised his flask and tasted of its contents:
 So. Jean.. a few drops. they put heart in a man
 He stuffed loaf of bread into his kaspsack e,s--E
 Now. a crumb. Jean-so,"
 He gathered up gauge and dressing fer a wound and thrust it into his knapsack So now. Jean. let us see. An h-h-h. that is bad. but we'll 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 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 were closed. At the city gate an officer talking with a sentry recognized Maurice
 Hello. Beaujoni" he called You have been promoted for bravery
 Beaujon nodded as 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 were on him again. but he was up and running with the flag. and he hao escaped; somehow he had escaped. It was miracle. He never doubted Jeans safety until the lad could not be found.
 Where are you going, Beaujon?
 ''For Jean." Beaujon answered
 "Vailes. he is missing" the officer asked Have you been through the hospitals?"
 "He is not in them" Beaujon an- swered
 This delay tortured him. He knew he could make his search better before the sun was up. for the gleam of the bayonets had dazzled him yes terday. and from the field they would flash in his eyes again.
 Beaujon pointed. ''Vailes can't be far" he added We were right in those trenches, just back of those bushes"
 Well. go on. then" said the ofi- cer: but |. cautious. Remember the wounded have been taken oil the field. You won't find him alive"
 Alive thought Reaujon impa- tiently; "nc. not if this talking keeps up much lvnger" He saluted and burst away.
 He stepped out into the field. He had known he should see the rifles and the bayonets first, but they did not flash upon his eyes now.
 No. they were dull and gray like the sky. He gazed blankly into the zenith: his first instinct was to look away from the ground
 There was still a star shining: it was yellow and sery faint. He met its eA,a II looked at him steadily. hy;nked and went out. The thought cf Jean gripped him. and he forced himself to look down again over the field
 There were spots on the bushes; ihia. slow streams fIrrowed the ground: ss the light increased these r,uggish trickles, these splashes, were scarlet
 This was a shambles; the world siaeghterbouse.
 All the panoply of war was gone: al, that made it brilliant, all that goad- ed him ou. was gone. Why had ne been promoted for bravery?
 He was not brave now.
 His mind was confused: he must st,p. he must be clear. There vas cord which would help him 1T ne could remember it. :.
 ve uressed his hand to his forehead. struggling for that word An, he had n, Sure. He must be sane
 He strode firmly forward. looking ,e;ther to the right nor to the left. his gaze on those bushes just beyond tne farther trench
 He heard low moans and cries, ou' he did not heed them
 something moved in heap oi hodSes. How dead men struggled. ua n.ssed on. There, out on a free sn.ee of ground. . dead Belgian was .vi,x forward on bis face.
 eeaujcn paused. clutched in the mans hand was an arm ne s'a,eu , Then he saw that the mans otne' .ru haA been sbot on.
 His hesrt jumped
 ccs,Id that slender fellow be Jean, us veut forward and turned him over when he saw the face of a stranger Ae began to iaush-
 Nov that the fellow did not prov 4. ne Jean. hs saw how comicai 1t was