The Clio messenger., 1916-11-03
CHAPTER xIIl.-Contlnued.

A peasant, half-mad, has stopped at
tho Inn to warn it's people that the
enemy is approaching.
"Hurt?" he cried. "Hurt? You
don't know 'em. They came
into my house and, nasty as you
please, wanted food. My 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 a 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 1t. .. was
out in the fields. The neighbors came
and told me. And hurried home to
Hnd her dead-her that hadn't done
nothing-dead! And I leaned
out Of the window-and I shot two Of
'em-and then I ran. How I ran!
And they didn't get me-and they
won't get mev' The half-crazed peas
ant rushed off then, shouting to right
and left, wherever he saw a head stuck
out Of a window, or figure in door
way, 1.-THE Germans are coming! The
Germans 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 a So
Der face to old Christophe.
"This Is going to be bad, old manw
ne said.
"It's like some hideous nightmare"
Ethel exclaimed.
"Yes, madame-and this Is but the
beginning" Christophe informed her
yravely.
Charlie Brown remembered then
that Madame de Lorde, 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 60 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
,eoplev she cried.
Hadn't you better close the doors?"
Charlie asked the innkeeper.
"Why, m'sieu, l shall only have to
open them," Christophe replied. II am
1ot afraid, m'sieu."
II wish 1 had your nerve" Charlie
told him. "All this has certainly got
my goat. It's the limit"
Christophe, by quick, sibilant
sound, enjoined caution.
"M'sleu, they are herew he warned
nim.
He had scarcely spoken when the
arst of the gray-clad invaders was mo-
mentarily framed in the open window.
He rode a bicycle-that forerunner of
destruction. And a fine, clean-looking
youngster he was, one of the pick of
the kaiser's f1rst-line troops. Cool,
alert, businesslike, he pedaled deliber-
ately on as IL 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 a quick
but comprehensive glance at Its inte-
rior. Cumbered with full fighting kit,
|
dgue that had all but overcome Charlie
Brown before he arrived at the Liou
dor. On the contrary, he looked 81
as a prizenghter, trained to the min
ute. And behind him rode another ss
like him as a second pea out Of tbT
same pod.
Charlie Brown gazed at them breath
iessly. He was conscious Of a migbty
admiration for those two infinitesimt
cogs In the great German military ms
chine. And he said to Christophe y
an awed whisper:
"Gosh! They're not afraid, are they
Anyone might pot them from a win
dow" The thing might happen an
moment.
Perhaps they are not afraid becaus'
they know IL they are killed they wi,
be well avenged" Christophe an
swered. And then he said, Really
m'sieu, do not speak English. 1 asl
you to go IL may be easier for me
Please m'sieu, qulcklyw
The american reluctantly left tn,
Window. Tia diA not waAt 10 ztss [