The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-08-22
THE AIRMAN
By JOSEPH r. KEScEL.

SOl %, 4AC o1AAt a. AS "oS
his comrades, could not sti1e the groan
that escaped his lips.
He was seated On the ground, bis
back against a tree. to which he had
painfully crawled after his fall. In
half delirium he muttered to himself
numerous broken sentences.
Recommending officers orders were
Go out over enemy's position, ascer-
tain strength, and report Immediately
upon your return Tried to do it, and
would have done 1t, hadn't been for
that devilish shell. Machine damaged
and old Fred badly wounded.
Cant forget his words and action
when he saw we were hard hit. Good
by, George, old man, good-by,' he
yelled. I'm badly wounded. Informa-
ton very much needed at headquar-
ters. Alone there Is a chance to make
It. With me in the machine it Is i'm
possible. Tell Katy my last thoughts
we're Of her. Then for love Of coun-
try he. threw himself out into space.
Struck the hard ground inside the en-
emy's lines, and was killed.
"Rotten luck. Just downright hard
luck, after everything had gone so
well. Splendid fight we made to
headquarters, with the information
they wanted, when that whistling devil
caught Us. With Fred's weight gone,
the machine partly righted itself and
would have made q safe landing, but
for this beastly tree.
Steering gear broken, no chance
to guide. Leg busted, arm broken,
and head feels smashed. Worst luck
is In being unable to make report.
Nov my head has gone wrong.
Saw the moon above, now see moons
all over. going everywhere. Funny.
Wish l had a drink Of water and can
teen empty. Wow! Big moon is COM
ing right toward me. There it comes.
Hear voices, strange. and the man in
the moon has ar automobile. Can hear
the purr Of his engine"
With a start 1.-THE Bird" realized
that it was an automobile from his
corps. he attempted to raise an arm
and uttered a faint shout. Figures
alighted and came rapidly toward him.
In a low, audible tone he said:
II wish to report position very strong.
Heavily REINFORCED and more coming
up rapidly" Then he lapsed into un-
consciousness.
Days had passed. One cool bright
morning 1.-THE Bird" opened his eyes.
now free from delir.um. A gentle sigh
passed his lips and a figure bent over
him. Two questioning brown eyes
gazed into his. In a weak voice he
whispered: Report enemy's position
strong. heavily REINFORCED. This Is
very important"
Good nurse Winthrop grasped the
situation at once and. knowing 1t best
to humor the patient, hurried away.
Returning to the bedside Of the wound
ed man she said quietly, "Your or
ders have been obeyed. Headquarters
have been Informed"
~ know you" he gasped. "Katy,
dear old Fred's sister. His last words
were of you. say good-by for him.
Am tired now and sleepy" With this
he lapsed into peaceful slumber. H.
The late afternoon sum-. streaming
through the big hospital windows,
found nurse Winthrop again standing
beside her new patient. The head
nurse gently chided Miss Winthrop
for the decided interest in patient
No. 254.
The girls eyes filed with tears and
she answered humbly, "Please don't
scold. for he was with my brother
Fred, The two were together when
the machine was hit"
Forgive me, dear. l did not know"
replied the older woman. "Stay here
until he awakens. I will attend to
your other duties"
1.-THE Birds" eyes opened.
The injured man gazed in wonder
IuSut at Tic tdSC OCiOiC t". khhO"
you-l have seen you BEFORE" he re-
peated. you are yFred's sister Katy"
d" Two small white fingers we're placed
on his lips and a sweet voice admon-
ished. You must not talk now"
With the %uninjured hand he re-
moved the fingers from his lips. Ex-
erting his whole strength he held them
firmly while he insisted. 81 won't be
quiet. must talk. Want you to under
stand . Dear old Fred, my best friend,
comrades since var started. Sends all
his love to you"
Her eyes filled with tears and with
gentle firmness she released her hand.
saying. "Please do not talk any more.
You must be quiet, for you are in
jured and ILL.,"
His con~valescence was very rapid.
When he was almost well one day
they were seated on the cool. wide,
sun-shaded porch. the small white
hand of Miss Winthrop nesting in his,
and he recited the adventures Of her
brother and himself. Her eyes over