The Meeker herald., 1916-08-19
By F. A. Mitchell


garding him for q few moments she
went into the house. Presently but
Ter came out on to the porch with q
saIver on which was meal. and set
1t down on a table. The man. who
was evidently very hungry. applied
himself to 1t, then asked the butler II
he could give him anything to wash It
down. The butler gave him a more
crushing look than his mistress and
disappeared. After conference with
her he returned with a decanter and
then told the butler to say to the young
lady that he would like to speak with
her In a few minutes she came out
and stood waiting for what he had to
say.
81 am a discharged soldier" he said.
from the army in Belgium"
The girls manner changed at once.
did you ever meet Captain Trevel-
lion thereT' she asked.
~ was with him constantlyr'
Indeed"
"That accounts for my making my
self at home In this house"
eff you had told me that you were
friend of his l would have given you
more cordial reception"
"You are one of those who rented the
place after Trevellion's departure. I
suppose"
ayes; we moved here a few Gays
after he went to the front"
you never saw him?"
"No. I've been told he Is q very
handsome man."
"Handsome! Who told you thatr'
Every one who has ever seen him
considers him handsome"
I've seen him every day for ten
month";. and I never saw anything
good looking about him."
That's probably because you've seen
him dressed no better than you. You
can't expect man to be fine looking
got up as you are
| The man smiled. you would never
take me for handsome man. would
your
There was no reply to this. Silence
| gives consent.
II suppose" said the girl, you will
admit that Captain Trevellion is brave.
since hear that he has won the
| CROSSE"
How did he get It? He simply went
out In advance of the line and hauled
another fellow In. There was nothing
more in that than all going together.
In fact. when we went together they
| were firing at US together"
"You can't be friend Of Captain
| op1 l,< Ton ln,,c ~ HI ~
II jealous of him! I'm just as brave
man as he, and when I'm dressed up
am just as handsome"
Zone thing you are not" retorted the
girl angrily. you are not as modest
as he" She was going into the house
when he called her back.
What would you say If told you
that have the cross Ms well as ire
vellionr'
II wouldn't believe you. Only mod
est men nre brave"
He put his hand inside his flannel
shirt and drew out cross made Of
gun metal. The girl looked at 1t with
wide open eyes. But she was evidently
not convinced.
"How did you get 1t away from
him?'' she asked. Ibid you take 1t
| when he was asleepT'
The man laughed. When his mirth
had subsidized he said:
"I1l not bother you any longer. You
nrc very good to have had 80 much pa.
thence with me. I'm TrevVllion. I've
come bnck with the cross, but I've
come back a wreck. felt that must
come to my old home. though 1t is in
the hands of strangers. l wonder II l
can be taken in here till get some
strength?'
He said this so despondently that the
girls heart was touched.
i've no doubt that you can, Captain
Treyillion. I'll go and ask mamma"
Stay" he said. I'VE men who are
accounted heroes are not heroes. They
give us these baubles to make us think
we are that they may make us fodder
for shrapnel. Let me rest for 4 mo-
ment. then 1 will go on. said what l
did about remaining here in moment
of weakness"
He poured out another glass from
the decanter. drank 1t and, rising.
made as courtly bow to the girl as he
could under the circumstances, then
slowly descended the steps and limped
down the walk.
Poor fellow!" she said. II wonder
II he is really brave or liar and a
coward. He certainly don't look like
the heroes I've read Of in story books. -
; Very likely he was all three. War
has Its realism as well as other depart.
ments of life.