Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-04-06
Was He Really a
Hero?
By F. A. mitchell

1nd limpel up the walk. In the center
of ample grounds stood the house, the
whole forming n Of these old Eng
spcctability. On the way he met a
girl. leading q big dog. which, seeing
the disreputable person who had en-
tered the grounds, growled. The girl
reproved the dog, then looking at the
man. said:
Would you like something to eat?"
Il certainly would"
eco up to the house. I'll be there in
a few minutes and will see that you
are given something"
The man hobbled up to the house and
going on to the porch seated himself
on a wicker chair. In a few minutes
the girl returned and seeing him sit
ting on the porch gave him a look that
was intended to annihilate him. He
paid no attention to her, and after re
garding him for q few moments she
went into the house. Presently q but
Ter came out on to the porch with a
salver on which was a meal. and set
it down on a table. The man, who
was evidently very hungry, applied
himself to it, then asked the butler If
he could give him anything to wash 1t
down. The butler gave him a more
crushing look than his mistress and
disappeared. After a conference with
her he returned with a decanter and
n glass. The man took a stiff drink.
then told the butler to say to the young
her. In a few minutes she came out
and stood waiting for what he had to
say.
II am a discharged soldier" he said,
from the army in Belgium"
The girls manner changed at once.
did you ever meet Captain Trevel-
lion there?" she asked.
81 was with him co%nstantly!'
Indeed"
THAT accounts for my making my
self at home in this house"
eff you had told me that you were a
friend Of his | would have given you q
more cordial reception"
"You are one of those who rented the
place after Trevellion's departure,
suppose"
YES; We moved here a few days
after he went to the front"
You never saw him?'
mo. I've been told he is a very
handsome man,"
"Handsome. Who told you that?'
EVERY one who has ever seen him
considers him handsome"
I've seen him every day for ten
months, and l never saw anything
good looking about him."
That's probably because you've seen
him dressed no better than you. Yon
can't expect Il man to be fine looking
got up as You are"
The MAJ smiled. You would never
take me for a handsome man, would
you?"
There was no reply to this. Silence
gives consent.
II suppose said the girl, you will
admit that Captain Trevellion is brave,
since | hear that he has won the
CROSSE"
How did he get it? He simply went
out in advance of the line and hauled
another fellow in. There was nothing
more in that than all going together.
In fact, when we went together they
were firing at us together"
You can't be a friend of Captain
Trevellion and be jealous Of him.
II jealous of him! I'm just as brave
Il man as he, and when I'm dressed up
am just as handsome"
Zone thing you are not" retorted the
girl angrily. You are not as modest
as he" She was going into the house
when he called her back.
"What would you say If | told you
that l have the cross as we'll as Ire.
vellion?"
81 wouldn't believe you. Only mod
est men are brave"
He put his hand inside his flannel
shirt and drew out a cross made of
gun metal. The girl looked at it with
wide open eyes. But she was evidently
not convinced.
Glow did you get it away from
him." she asked. Did you take ii
when he was asleep"
The man laughed. When his mirth
had subsidized he said:
III not bother you any longer. You
are very good to have had so much pa
tience with me. I'm Trevellion. I've
come back With the cross, but I've
come back a wreck. I felt that 1 must
com to my old home, though it is in
the hands of strangers. / wonder if
can be taken in here till l get some
strength"
He said this so despondently that the
girls heart was touched.
give no doubt that you can, Captain
Trevillion. I'll go and ask mamma
Stay" he said. we men who are
accounted heroes are not heroes. They
give us these baubles to make us think
we are that they may make us fodder
for shrapnel. Let me rest for d mo
ment, then 1 will go on. [ said what ]
did about remaining here in a moment
Of weakness"