The midland journal., 1917-01-05

"Out there they're fighting whi
no good to anyone Larry groan
"Doctor! This lady wishes
you"
Doctor Aubrey turned 40 the
Cross man spoke; and his glanc
countered a girl--an English
dressed in suit once white. but
torn and bedraggled. Her hair
disheveled, and her face showed
and wan In the half-light Of the
church.
"She has pass from Ge
French's headquarters" the man
ed.
"May 1 be of serviceY the s0E
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 q
visible effort. "Tell me-is Captain
Captain"
cry from the man the doctor had just
left.
"Ethelv Larry's call electrified them.
She hurried to him.
"Oh. my dearw she answered with
a 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.
''No, no! And I'm here with you
thank Godr'
"Tell me-what news from the
front?' he demanded, as a roll of cam
nonading filed 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. "We're 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
Parisr' Larry cried. "If we can keep
Paris, we've fighting chance" He
stopped abruptly then, and turned his
head as if at some wondrous sound.
"Listen to the buglesw he shouted.
They're not playing retreat That's
the call to attack! What does
1t mean?'
A messenger burst into the church.
'Who's in charge hereT' he de-
manded.
81 am" Aubrey told him.
'I'm from headquarters" the man
said. SIS Captain Lawrence Redmond
here?"
'Yes, 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 am
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"
s'Oh, my dear-and you said For
King and Countryv" Ethel exclaimed.
her heart near to bursting with pride
il 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
"One moment!' said the messenger.
81 have to add, sir, that your informa-
ton, coming at a 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-
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"
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
coming up from Paris"
'aThat's the English troops!' larry