The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-05-12

s~1oAA~ "OAo AAooio " Somo W tue uOubo
at any moment. He was taken to the
garnet, where a mattress was placed
on the floor behind pile Of discarded
furniture. and on this bed he spent the
night. In the morning he was at q
loss to know whether to put on his
khaki uniform or the citizens clothes
that had been provided for him. II he
wore his uniform he would be recog-
nized for a soldier; II he wore the citi-
zen's clothes. though he might the bet
ter escape attention, II known to be
an enemy he would be shot for a spy.
He concluded to take the latter risk.
and II confronted by enemies under
take to pass himself Off for a member
Of the family that harbored him.
Several days passed without any Ger
mans entering the house or Bert's
seeing any chance whatever to go back
to the British lines. During those few
days he learned more French than he
had ever learned before, though he
had studied 1t In school. The girl who
had rescued him-Jeanne was her
name-he found very attractive. She
resembled Dutch girl. having light
hair and complexion, with a rose In
each cheek.
One day some German soldiers. stray
glers, came to the house and demanded
something to eat But Jeanne saw
them coming. and Bert escaped to the
garrett.
He finally got into trouble through
politeness. Water was needed, and
since Jeanne was not on hand to get
it Bert insisted on going to the well
for 1t. While drawing the water sew.
eral German officers entered the
grounds. 1t was too late to take to
flight, and Bert decided to stand his
ground. The officers approached him,
and one Of them asked for drink of
water. Bert accommodated him, try
something else than the frightful dan
ger he was running, in order that he
might preserve his equanimity.
One Of the Germans spoke French
and asked him what so lusty q fellow
was doing at home when there was
war I'm the land. Bert replied that he
was the only man on the premises and
had just married young wife. who
would not let him 60. He gave this
reason knowing that all the world
sympathizes with young married
couple.
Perhaps something Of the wedding
feast is left" said the officer, land we
10 90 ~
There can be no wedding feasts In
this country now" replied Bert, but
such as we have we will give you"
He led the way to the house. Jeanne
had reappeared, and she and her moth
er, seeing what had happened, pulled
themselves together for any part they
might be expected to play.
"Ach," said one officer to another In
German on seeing Jeanne, zone can't
blame the fellow for staying at home
with such a, pretty bride as that"
The German and French languages
are both spoken in Belgium, and
Jeanne understood perfectly what he
said, and since he looked from Bert
to her she knew that he referred to
them. She blushed, which under the
circumstances was the most natural
thing for her to do. Besides, she in
ferred that she was to play the part
Of Bert's bride. She brought out the
best there was IN the larder-it was
not much-and there was plenty Of
wine In the cellar.
The officers had evidently been on
short rations, for they ate all that was
set before them and drank one bottle
Of wine after another till they were
quite mellow. Then Jeanne said to
them:
Herr officers. have a request to
make Of you"
"What is that, pretty one?"
II was obliged to be married with
out a trousseau. That Is terrible
thing for a bride. Will you give me a
pass to go to Paris to buy oneT'
Certainly you shall have pass"
Zone thing more / have to ask
that my husband be permitted to 60
with me-"
Zach! That is different matter"
"Do you think q bride just married
would consent to leave her husband?
If he cannot go with me l will not go
at all"
The officers discussed the matter be-
tween them, Jeanne persisting in her
request till finally one Of the officers,
who seemed to have the highest rank
and had drunk the most wine declared
that so pretty bride who had en-
tertained them so well should have
any boon she asked, and, calling for
pen and paper, he wrote pass for
the two to go through the lines. Then,
demanding a kiss Of the bride, which
was granted, he led the rest away.
Bert and Jeanne were left alone to-
gether. Bert stood looking at her with
an expression Of gratitude. mingled
with admiration. She had been play
ing the part of his wife and by SO do
ing had prevented his being shot for
a spy.
my life is yours said Bert. "Do
with II as you WILL"
She dropped her eyes to the ground.
Bert took her hand in his, and the two
stood mute, she with averted face.
Presently he said: