The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-02-02

Lie backw 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 10 see
you"
Doctor Aubrey turned as the Red
Cross man spoke; and his glance en-
countered 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-hght Of the dim
church.
"She has a pass from General
French's headquarters" the man add
ed.
"May I be of service?" the doctrc
asked her.
Ethel stepped forward then.
"For ten days I've been searching
your various field hospitals" she tolG
him. "This is my last chance Ten
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
"Ethelw Larry's call electrified them.
She hurried to him.
"Oh, my dear!' 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 roll Of cam
nonading filled the church with its res
onant booming.
"Oh, can't tell you" she said. "It's
too dreadful" But she saw that he
craved the truth, even though it were
the worst. Were still retreatlng.
They say-Par.s 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. "If 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 buglesr he shouted.
They're not playing retreat! That's
the call to attack! &. What does
it mean?"
messenger burst into the church.
"Who's in charge here?" he de-
manded.
81 am" Aubrey told him.
"I'm from headquarters" the man
said. "Is Captain Lawrence Redmond
here?'
Eyes, yes! I'm here"' Larry called,
struggling to his feet with EthePs
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 in the dispatches for signal
bravery in the cause of the allies"
ooh, my dear-and you said For
King and Country" 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 gunsw The little
structure that sheltered them shook
from cellar to raftered roof under the
vibration of the terrific fire
Zone moment" said the messenger.
"I 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 a four-days'
battle the enemy is now in retreat be-
yond the Marne."
Larry seemed not to grasp the news.
He looked duly at the man fro,u head.
quarters.
"What did you sayY 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. 81 tell you,
the enemy is in retrea."
"And Paris? Paris Is safer? Larry
cried, as the Joy of 1t 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.
"Thats the French. The reserves are
coming up from Paris"
That's the English troopsw Larry
shouted, as he recognized a familiar
marching air.
Eyes! They landed today" the man
said.
Larry stood there listening to the
welcome strains. One arm he had fiuns
about Ethel. And the other he waved
above his bandaged head.
~ Il