The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-21

gFlfWgt
ne bosom Of Sergeant Lynd-
nam was filled to the brim with
i disgust and loathing. Nor was
tnls disgust and loathinp entire.
y "itnout reason. Months of wallow.
ing IKE pig In the mud of trenches
uoes not sweeten the soul, and when
- Is combined with endless duties in
.ne co,o fall rains Of shell-swept re-
sion lnat is akin to the borders of
.Ierho, the nerves become ragged.
hence mad come about the curdling Of
Tue mix OF human kindness which had
previously existed within him.
nor mad few little midnight sur.
PRISE parties over the top in which the
oayonet had been the principal piece
ne resistance tended to decrease these
sensations. Even being bowled 20
seet by the conclusion of shell had
aot cheered him. But 1t had remain
90 Tor Whit Of poison gas and a
9ulrt OF liquid fire to set and solidify
lis mind to its present condition.
Allve' dead, or as yet unborn, Ser.
seant Lyndham was of the fixed opin-
on tnat he did not like the Boches.
And the last "a hours had been
particularly obnoxious from the fact
mat they had been entirely sleepless.
Inc horizon was still lurid with can
non flashes and the uproar remained
aendlsh despite the fact that it was
aours after midnight, but he was &C.
sustomed to such things and knew
mat once asleep, they would not trou-
Die MIN. Also, for all he knew, he
might dream Of something pleasant. He
was Tree now for few hours within
hls blankets, and was In the act of
removing his boots when his captain
thrust his head within and motioned
Tor him to come forth. Knowing that
something both new and disagreeable
confronted him, he arose and stepped
out as commanded.
For quarter of mile they silent
~ wound their way along a muddy
road until the dim lights of partially
shell-ruined house appeared before
them. Into this they entered, and the
sergeant, casting his eyes about, saw
the colonel of his regiment sitting at
q table. Saluting he stood at atten-
ton.
Sergeant Lyndham," said the colo
mel thoughtfully. "A few months ago
when you accompanied one Of our air.
men over the line and destroyed a
plant Of the enemy, you did very
brave and skillful thing. For that
hct You were made sergeant. To-
aight we must have another duty per-
formed, and I have selected you be-
cause of my confidence in your cour-
age and ability. 1t is very likely that
you will not return, yet war demands
It's sacrifices. Without knowing more
Of this new duty do you volunteer to
try and accomplish it?" It was plain
enough now that there would be no
test or sleep for him again this night,
and the sergeant's disgust and loath-
Ing mounted accordingly. Yet he man
aged to swallow them.
Eyes, SIR" he grunted. The colonel
bodied.
you are a brave and willing soldier,
sergeant. Were 1t not for the fact that
the regiment contains so many men
ike you I would sometimes become
alled with fear and sadness. Now
tor the reason sent for you. You
will remember the trenches which run
through Theirs woods, do you not2"
slightly, colonel. I helped cap
lure them from the Boches at the point
Of the bayonet."
"And in turn were driven from
them by the same amiable gentlemen"
Lyndham made wry face.
Eyes, colonel. But they surprised
as most unfairly. 1t was oil very dis
gushing and made ME loathe Them"
II have no doubt. But now listen.
We have reason to believe that they
have evacuated the position, while 1t
has become important that we regain
1t. You will follow my reasoning. 1t
The enemy has deserted the ditch we.
wish to know 1t, while If he has not,
It is equally Important that we should
know, since we must be advised before
hand what we may expect when we
make our advance -whether resistance
or unopposed occupancy. Therefore,
we are compelled to send someone as
q scout to ascertain the conditions"
"And because Of the darkness and
treetops the airmen are useless p
Exactly. Therefore, you will crawl
upon your stomach to the wood, going
alone the better to escape observation.
BY working your way fiat upon the
ground and Instantly becoming still
should their lights fall upon you, you
may be mistaken by them for what you
are likely to become one OF the dead
men Of which you will pass many, II
you are lucky. Should you return with
this information, well and good II not,
we will be compelled to adopt other
means to secure our information. You