The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-08-16

u0IIClOuS lucdl We udu COtCA.
Our friends returned in the evening
with more eatables, but with no In
formation which would enable us to
rejoin our corps. They told us that
they had learned the Germans were
rapidly driving the allies toward Paris
and it was expected that the city
would fall into the hands Of the enc
my. Indeed, the capital had already
been removed to Bordeaux.
This did not look like our making
our way toward our comrades, who
were doubtless retreating faster than
we could travel. We concluded that
we might as well remain where we
were till we could get some definite
information, for there would be no
advantage In making for q point that
was always changing. That night we
slept In q barn we espied near our
bivouac, finding q comfortable bed on
the hay. Not caring to rely further on
our friends the girls for provisions.
we went in the morning to the house
Of the farmer who owned the barn snd
secured breakfast such as might have
been expected from such source.
We induced the farmer to take us
in and remained with him for sleep
and meals from day to day while news
kept coming to us that the Germans
were nearing Paris. We felt like
shirkers in being absent from our
posts. where We were so much needed,
but what could we do? Evidently our
way to Paris was blocked, and If we
tried to get there we would likely fall
into the enemy'a hands.
We were perfectly safe where we
were, but dissatisfied at remaining
there. Jim proposed that we make on
attempt to get through the German
lines, but l believed that we would
scon hear either that the Germans had
taken Paris or had settled down be-
fore it for a siege. In either case we
would know what to do. Meanwhile
to pass the time we took long walks
about the country.
One day we came to the brow of
hill looking down on a very attractive
landscape.
THAT would make a fine subject for
picture" said to Jim.
'.And there are the artists making it."
replied Jim.
Lowering my eyes to a point directly
beneath where we were standing, /
saw two women, one before an easel.
the other with a sketching board be-
fore her. proposed to go down and
see what they were doing, and we did
so. Hearing us approach they turned
their heads, and We recognized our
peasant girl benefactors. We saw them
look Mt each other and laugh.
Il was not aware" said, still speak
ing in French, that peasants were
artists
You have caught us In the act"
said one of the girls, land we may as
well confess. We are not indigenous
| to France any more than you are, nor
are we peasants. We are Americans
| studying art. We spent the winter In
| Paris, and when summer opened we
| came to this region, which Is famous
| among artists, to get practical out of
door experience In our profession. To
avoid being stared at or questioned we
donned this dress and find it service
able outing costume. But were we not
lucky in getting out of Paris before
the war storm broker
II think" replied Jim, that your Inn
position was kept up as long as it
would be possible to maintain it. My
friend and l have suspected you were
not what you purported to be. The
luncheon you brought us was dead
| giveaway. You should have brought
us coarse bread and some cold pork on
tin dish"
you should have done no such
thing" protested. "That luncheon
was delicious. l shall always remem-
Der it, especially when ! am hungry"
/ This is rather the beginning of a
story than the story itself Jim and ]
remained where we were till news came
Of the battle of the Marine and the saw
ing OF Paris. Then we babe cur artist
friends goodby and made our way back
to the capital, from which point we
were enabled to join our corps and
found ourselves again engaged in res
cuing the wounded.
i Jim and were both engaged in the
fighting that followed the kattle OF
the Marine, the effort to take Calais
and subsequently the gigantic attempt
of the central allies to capture Yer.
dun So active were we that we had
no time to think Of the girls who had
| k1,nk 1n1s1 nv.
ertheless, when temporarily off duty
and together, we would speak Of them
and the way they had concealed from
us their identity. We wondered what
they were doing, but had little dOubl
they were still studying art-that is
il they had not returned to America.
A year passed, when one day Will,
was driving my ambulance / wa
wounded by piece of shrapnel. Iva
, carried to the rear. Jim found me AM
took me to hospital farther from tn
firing line In nurse passing my co
I recognized one of the peasant artist
l had met during the summer before
She had not forgotten me and shOwe'
great concern at seeing me in my foI
, lorn condition
! ! received especial attention from tn
> lady, and it was, think, due to he
nursing that recovered. Patients ar
/ prone to fall In love with their nurse
, and was no exception to the rule. He
) artist friend had also enlisted in til
f cause and was at the same hOspita
: When Jim came to see me he foun
i both girls, and one day there was