Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-11-24


for the German shells had swept 1t,
leaving ruin in their wake. Even the
statue of Christ on the Cross which
| surmounted the altar had not escaped
Dissertation. for the upper part Of the
crucifix had been snapped off like
matchwood and now rested against the
lower part of the figure of the Savior.
Requirements had reached Trench
81 in time-thanks to LarTy's heroism;
and though he knew nothing of what
had happened after he had fallen close
| by the telephone, the British troops had
stemmed the gap in their defenses.
Along with others of the injured,
Captain Redmond had been hurried
| away from the front as fast as was
| possible, until at last he had been re-
ceived into the field station for the
English wounded for which purpose
the Red Cross had pressed that tiny
church into service. When Larry
reached that place it had been far to
the rear of the British first line. But
now, alas! those heroes in khaki had
been forced back until the boom of
their guns was plainly audible in the
violated sanctuary.
Captain Redmond lay upon a heap
of straw on the floor. About him were
many other men, swathed in bandages,
as he was, and among them there
moved a soldier With the Red Cross
insignia upon his arm; and French
priest kneeled beside the stricken and
prayed for the welfare Of their souls
as well as their bodies. 1t was early
morning, three or four hours past mid
night, and the cluttered nave was only
dimly lighted by a few lanterns.
A doctor strobe through the door
way.
~ want to see Doctor Charles" he
announced, and to the man who rose
from one of the altar steps, where he
had been examining charts of the
wounded he explained that he was
Doctor Aubrey of the Second corps,
sent to relieve the medical officer sta
toned there, who had been ordered to
join the ambulance forces at the front.
Doctor Charles handed over his
charts at once and prepared to leave.
81 see Captain Redmond is still
here" Aubrey remarked as he scanned
the records. "How is he"
Still out of his headw
"Will he pull through"
"He ought to-"
| "ppoun chan ha aoII
tor Aubrey-"to get us that informa-
ton about Won Kluck's f1anking move
ment!"
'If it hadn't been for Redmond they
would have captured our entire army,
the departing surgeon replied.
pretty big things for one man to
do" the newcomer exclaimed.
Doctor Charles agreed with him, and
after saying a hurried good-by he
passed on into the gray of the ap-
preaching dawn.
AS Aubrey set about his duties il
seemed to him that the roar of the
artillery became increasingly distinct
And it was not long before the blare
of bugle sounding retreat was watt.
ed Enthusiastically through the open
doors.
At the sound Of that order one OF
the men lying upon the floor raised
himself upon an elbow and listened.
II tell you-retreat! Retreatv he
cried. Right to the very gates OF
Parish Oh, Ethel-where are
your"
who's that?" Doctor Aubrey asked
Of one Of his Red Cross assistants
Captain Redmond! He goes on like
that most of the time," the man an
swered.
''The telephone! I've got to get tt
that telephonew Larry shouted. "Come
on, Larry! You can do it! It's only
a few feet more"
The doctor kneeed beside him.
''There, there, old man! Take Il
easy!' he said. 1t was plain to hin
that the wounded man was living ovel
again those tense and terrible moments
in the trench.
All at once dazed look came ovel
Captain Redmond's face. He looked
at the doctor curiously.
"What place is this? Who are your
he asked. He had at last regainet
his senses.
you're at an English field hospital
the doctor said.
"Then they got me, didn't theyT
said Larry. "Did 1 telephone head
quarters in time? I can't remember
There was bomb. I tried to crawl tC
the phone. Was l too late.
Tell mew
your information came in time tc
prevent their fanking our whole army,
Doctor Aubrey told him.
"Thank Godv Larry murmured
"And Miss Willoughby? She was a
Tourville? Where is she? No
no! You wouldn't know" he said, as
the doctor shook his head. "AnC
Strassman? He didn't get awayT
"Strassman? You mean the German
spy who was with you in Trench 27T
Eyes, yes! Larry said eagerly.