Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-12-08
CHAPTER xIII.-contlnued.

A peasant, naIf-mad, has stopped at
khe inn to warn its people that the
enemy Is approaching.
sHurtY' he cried. "Hurt? You
don't know 'em. They came
into my house and, nasty as you
please, wanted food Ny old woman
started to argue with 'em. She wasn't
scared then, and one of 'em took hold
of her by the arm. Maybe he didn't
mean anything; but she didn't under
stand, and she threw dipper of cold
water in his face like any decent wom-
an woodland they shot her. They
shot her for that! Civilian assaulting,
an officer, they called it. 49,. was
out in the fields. The neighbors came
and told me. And hurried home to
find her dead-her that hadn't done
nothing -. And leaned
out Of the window-and shot two OF
'em-and then I ran. How ran!
And they didn't get me-and they
won't yet mel" The half-crazed peas
ant rushed off then, shouting to right
and left, wherever he saw head stuck
out Of a window, or figure in a door
way. 1.-THE Germans are coming! The
iGermans are coming!" And after
him poured the scurrying mob, all cry
ing the same dread warning.
Charlie Brown was getting all, the
color the most ambitious reporter
could have coveted. He turned So
Der face to old Christophe.
"This is going to be bad, old manv'
he said.
"1t's like some hldeous nightmare
Ethel exclaimed.
eyes, madame-and this is but the
beginning" Christophe Informed her
gravely.
Charlie Brown remembered then
that Madame de L6rde, as she wished
to be known, still fingered there. And
he did not like the thought Of her fac
ing that oncoming German horde.
IF you'll go to your room, I'll come
to you if you want me-if there's any
need" he said.
"Yes-yes! And oh! these poor, poor
peoplew she cried.
Hadn't you better close the doorsY
Charlie asked the innkeeper.
"Why, m'sieu, 1 shall only have to
open Them" Christophe replied. II am
not afraid, m'sieu.'
II wish I had your nerve" Charlie
told him. ~All this has certainly got
my goat. It's the limit"
(N1VfcfoKNHn Nv r,sH@ ~
sound, enjoined caution.
''M'sieu, they are herev' he warned
him.
He had scarcely spoken when the
first Of the gray-clad invaders was mo-
mentarily framed in the open window.
He rode bicycle--that forerunner OF
destruction. And fine, clean-looking
youngster he was, one of the pick Of
the kaiser's first-line troops. Cool,
alert, businesslike, he pedaled deliber-
ately on as if unconscious Of the black
looks that met his coming. And as he
passed the inn he turned his sunburned
face SO that he might seize q quick
but comprehensive glance at its inte-
rior. Cumbered with full fighting kit,
as he was, he showed none of the IA
figue that had all but overcome Charlie
Brown before he arrived at the Lion
dor. On the contrary, he looked fit
as prizefghter trained to the min
nte. And behind him rode another as
like him as d second pea out of the
same pod.
Charlie Brown gazed at them breath
lessly, He was conscious Of mighty
admiration for those two infinitesimal
cogs in the great German military ma
chine. And he said to Christophe In
an awed whisper:
Gosh! They're not afraid, are they?
Anyone might pot them from win
dow" The thing might happen any
moment.
perhaps they are not afraid because
they know If they are killed they will
be well avenged" Christophe an
swered. And then he said, Really,
m'sieu, do not speak English. I ask
you to &c. 1t may be easier for me.
f. Please, m'sieu, quickly!"
The American reluctantly left the
window. He did not want to miss