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

There, there! Rest bit, old mani
You got nasty smash in the head.
Lie back" And he lowered the cap
tain back upon the straw once more.
"Out there they're fighting while I'm
no good to anyone" Larry groaned.
doctor! This lady wishes to see
you"
Doctor Aubrey turned as the Red
Cross man spoke; and his glance en-
countered a girl-an English girl,
dressed in a suit once white, but now
torn and bedraggled. Her hair was
disheveled, and her face showed pale
and wan in the half-light of the dim
church.
"She has a pass from General
French's headquarters" the man add
ed.
MAY I be of serviceT the doctor
asked her.
Ethel stepped forward then.
"For ten days I've been searching
your various field hospitals" she told
him. "This is my last chance. Tell
me-oh, I'm afraid! I'm afraid to
ask! She nerved herself by
visible effort. "Tell me-is Captain
Captain"
As she faltered there came a quick
cry from the man the doctor had just
left.
"Ethelr Larry's call electrified them.
She hurried to him.
"Oh, my dearw she answered with
dry sob.
my darlin'! My darlin'! You're
safe-you're not hurt?" he exclaimed,
as she put her arms about him with
immense tenderness.
mo, no! And I'm here with you,
thank Godw
Tell me-what news from the
front?" he demanded, as a roll of can
nonading filled the church with its res
onant booming.
"Oh, can't tell you" she said. tits
too dreadful" But she saw that he
craved the truth, even though it were
the worst. Were still retreating.
They say-Paris is lost"
The notes of bugle again sounded
clear through the roar Of the great
guns.
"Oh, dear God, they mustn't take
Parish Larry cried. eff we can keep
Paris, we've a fighting chance" He
stopped abruptly then, and turned his
head as if at some wondrous sound.
Listen to the buglesv' he shouted.
They're not playing retreat! That's
the call to attack! What does
it mean?"
A messenger burst into the church.
"Who's in charge here" he de-
manded.
II am" Aubrey told him.
"I'm from headquarters, the man
said. as Captain Lawrence Redmond
here?
Eyes, yes! I'm herew Larry called,
struggling to his feet with Ethel's
help.
The messenger crossed to where the
wounded man stood, half supported
by the girl.
81 have the honor to report" he an
nounced, that General French and
, General Joffre extend to you their
grateful thanks for your information,
and to state that you have been men,
toned i'll the dispatches for signal
, bravery in the cause Of the allies"
ooh, my dear-and you said For
King and Countryv" Ethel exclaimed,
her heart near to bursting with pride
in him.
, "What do I matter" he chided her,
= "when out there they are driving us
back? Hear their guns!" The little
, structure that sheltered them shook
, from cellar to raftered roof under the
; vibration of the terrific fire
zone momentv said the messenger.
81 have to add, sir, that your informa.
ton, coming at vital time, has en-
| abled the English troops, in conjunc.
: ton with the French, to execute turn.
, ing movement. And after four-days'
battle the enemy is now in retreat be-
r yond the Marne."
Larry seemed not to grasp the news.
He looked duly at the man from head.
; quarters.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"The enemy is in retreat"
"But they said we were beaten"
Larry stammered.
"I'm just in from the 'front.'" the
= messenger informed him. Il tell you,
the enemy Is in retreat"
, "And Paris? Paris is safe" Larry
? cried, as the joy of it all broke over
him.
, paris is safe" was the answer.
A band was playing now, and those
glad folk in the little church could hear
the thunder of marching feet.
{ you hear" the messenger asked.
"That's the French. The reserves are
J coming up from Paris"
| THAT'S the English troops" Larry
shouted, as he recognized a familiar
marching air.
; Eyes! They landed today" the man
said.