Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-12-07

Cross man spoke: and his glance en-.
countered a giri-an English girl,
| dressed in a suit once white. but now
torn and bedra ggled Her hair was
disheveled, and her face showed pale
and wan in the half-Iight Of the dim
| chfrch.
''She has pass from General
| French's headquarters" the man add
! ed
MAY I be of service?" the doctor
| asked her.
Ethel stepped forward then.
For ten days I've been searching
your various field hospitals" she told
! him. This is my last chance. Tell
me-oh, I'm afraid. I'm afraid to
/ ask! She nerged herself by a
visible effort Tell me-is Captain
| Captain"
/ As she faltered there came a quick
try fsom the man the doctor had just
left
Ethel Larry's call electrified them
She hurried to him.
"Oh, my dearn' she answered with
a dry sob.
MY darlin'! My darlin'! You're
safe-you're not hurt?" he exclaimed,
as she put her arms about Linn with
Immense tenderness.
NO, no! And I'm here with you,
thank Godr'
Tell me-what news from the
'front.'" he demanded, as a roll of can
nonading filed the church with its res
Onant booming
"Oh, can't tell you" she said. ITS
too dreadful" But she saw that he
craved the truth, even though it were
the worst. Were still retrea ting.
They say-Paris is lost
The notes of a bugle again sounded
clear through the roar Of the great
guns.
"Oh, dear God, they mustn't take
Parisr' Larry cried. eff we can keep
Paris. we've fighting chance" He
stopped abruptly then, and turned his
head as If at some wondrous sound.
'Listen to the buglesw he shouted
They're not playing retreat! That's
the call to attack. What does
It mean?'
A messenger burst into the church.
"Who's in charge here?" he de-
manded
II am Aubrey told him.
I'm from headquarters" the man
said. SIS Captain Lawrence Redmond
here?"
eyes. yes! I'm herer' Larry called,
struggling to his feet with Etheis
help
The messenger crossed to where the
wounded man stood, half supported
by the girl.
81 have the honor to report" he an
nOunced chat General French and
General Joffre extend to you their
grateful thanks for your information.
and to state that you have been men
toned in the dispatches for signal
bravery In the cause of the allies"
ooh, my dear-and you said For
King and Country Ethel exclaimed,
her heart near to bursting with pride
in him
'What do I matter" he chided her,
"when out there they are driving US
back? Hear their guns" The little
structure that sheltered them shook
from cellar to raftered roof under the
vibration of the terrific fire.
Zone moment" said the messenger.
"I have to add, sir, that your informa-
ton. coming at q vital time, has en-
abled the English troops, in conjunc-
ton with the French. to execute turn
ing movement. And after a four-days'
battle the enemy is now In retreat be-
yond the Marine"
Larry seemed not to grasp the news.
He looked duly at the man from head
quarters.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"The enemy is in retreat"
"But they said we were beaten"
Larry stammered.
I'm just in from the front" the
messenger informed him. Il tell you,
the enemy is in retreat"
"And Paris? Paris is safe?' Larry
cried, as the joy of it all broke over
him.
Paris is safe" was the answer.
A band was playing now. and those
glad folk in the little church could hear
the thunder of marching feet.
you hear?" the messenger asked.
"1hat's the French The reserves are
coming up from Paris"
That's the English troops Larry
shouted. as he recognized familiar
marching air
Eyes. They landed today" the man
said
Larry stood there listening to the
welcome strains. One arm he had flung
about Ethel. And the other be waved
above his bandaged head.
More of our boys off to the frontw
he exulted. and do you mind what
they're playing my darling?" he asked
her. 1t was ''Tipperary"