The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-12-08
CHAPTER xxI-Contlnued.

That was the worst part OF IL all
the waiting. Heart-rending reports OF
happenings In many Belgian villages
came to the British. for CourvolsieI
was only one of many hamlets that
ish were powerless to aid those strick
Ell people
Trench 27-the English trench which
Streetman had indicated upon his map
as being the keystone 10 the enemy's
defeDse-lay in the first line Of the
British. All unconscious of any spe.
cial designs that the Germans might
nave against their particular position
the Tommies stationed there proceed
ed to put things In shape for the gen
eral action that was bound to come
After completing their grim arrange
ments. there was little for them to dc
for the time being. except rest. And
that they were glad enough to do
after their herculean exertions OF
those first days of the war. That there
was worse ahead Of them they did not
doubt But In the meantime there
was no reason why they should not
make themselves at home.
1t was night-the second night fol-
lowing that fatal day when the Ger
mans descended upon the Lion do,
and robbed Jeanne Christophe of heI
rather. In Trench 81 four soldiers
were playing poker under the shelter
OF bombproof hut that they had con
structed by digging into a side of the
ditch. Dirty, unshaven. begrimed
they were nevertheless enjoying tc
the full their well-earned respite. And
the nickerirg light of the candle which
stood upon their rude table revealed
no fear upon the face of any Of them
At either end OF the trench two mer
stood guard, while close at hand 9
periscope lay upon makeshift bench
ready for instant use In case the
watchers should detect any unusua
and suspicious movements in front o.
them. Out there beneath the stars tn,
first outpost of the enemy had already
dug itself in. And in testimony o.
their alertness the Germans continu
ally played searchlight upon tn,
British position. That prying shaft o.
light was never still. Now 1t swep
the top Of Trench q. now fickeret
upon tree close by, and theI
searched the intervening ground be
tween the two lines In an effort to de
tect some venturesome observer.
To the four privates in the bomb
proof shelter there came a momentar,
interruption. in the shape of lieu
tenant, who sauntered into thei
trench from the left. This youthful
officer. whom they had already votet
"a bit Of albright" observed then
pleasantly.
Hello, boysw he said.
They sprang up and saluted, muir
muring Good evening, sirr'
"How's the gamer" the lieutenan
inquired.
Henry, there. Is winning all ou
cigarettes" one Of the men said.
The young officer smiled. And then
drawing pencil and a postcard from
his pocket, he seated himself and pro
ceeded to write note to youn,
WOIllun III i<ObdOh. VI ouy II
had consistently kept his promise t
write Georgy every day.
The privates promptly resumed thei
poker game.
IL raise it one cigarette" one O
them said. And again Guy smiled
He was glad that his boys were en-
joying themselves.
So engrossed did Lieutenant Fal
coner become In his note to his lad,
love that he did not notice when hi
captain appeared, in the company o
a civilian. Captain Montague pause,
and turned to his guest
Now. Mr.. Brown" he said, your
in the first line OF the English trenche
Trench. 27-and l may say your
the only American correspondent VIII,
has had this experience"
Charlie Brown looked about witt
undisguised interest.
"And l rather butted in," he re
marked.
well, as long as you stumbled in
side our lines. you might as well sc,
something. II you give me your wort
not to write anything"
That's q nice thing to say to
newspaper man." Charlie retorted.
But ! have your wordT'
81 s'pose sou 1t cost Mr.. Brow,
some effort to promise that. He saw
the markings of bully scoop befor
him. And he hated to forego such
wonderful opportunity.
"The closer you are to the front. tn
less you know OF what's happening.
Captain Montague resumed, "excep
on your own very small square OF
very large checkerboard. Blu
technically, you are under fra"