The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-02-20
THE AIRMAN
BY JOSEPH T. kESCEL.

corps, "The Bird" as he was called by
his comrades, could not stifie the groan
that escaped his lips.
He was seated on the ground, his
back against tree, to which he had
painfully crawled after his fall. In
half deirium he muttered TO himself
numerous broken sentences.
Commanding officers orders were
Go out over enemys position, ascer
tain strength, and report Immediately
upon your return Tried to do it, and
would have done it, hadn't been for
that devilish she'll 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. Informal
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
were of her Then for love of coun-
try he threw himself out into space.
Struck the hard ground inside the en-
emys lines, and was killed.
"Rotten luck. Just downright hard
luck, after everything had gone so
well. Splendid flight 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 a safe landing, but
for this beastly tree.
steering gear broken, no chance
/ to guide. Leg busted. arm broken.
and head feels smashed Worst luck
4 Is in being unable to make report.
Now my head has gone wrong
4 Saw the moon above, now see moons
l all over going everywhere. Funny
Wish ! had q drink Of water and can.
i teen empty. Wow Big moon is COM
/ ing right toward me. There ii comes.
Hear voices. strange. and the man in
the moon has an automobile. Can hear
the nurr of his engine"
With start The Bird" realized
that it was an automobile from his
corps. lie attempted to raise an arm
. hiAh " tti wi Il ldItii NlIVht- - III -
alighted and came rapidly toward him.
In Il low audible tone he said
II wish to report position very strong.
Heavily re-enforced and more coming
up rapidly" Then be lapscd into I'M
consciousness.
Days had passed One cool bright
morning THE Bird opened his eyes
now free from delirium. A gentle sigh
passed his lips and a figure bent over
him. Two questioning brown eyes
gaZed into his. In weak voice he
whispered: Report enemy's position
, strong, heavily REINFORCED This is
very important"
) Good nurse Winthrop graspcd the
: situation at once and. knowing it best
10 hum0r the patiant. hurried away.
Returning to the bedside Of the wound
ed man She said quietly, Your or
, dars have been oheyed Headquarters
! have been informed"
$ 81 know you. he gasped. Katy
dear old FredS sister His last words
were OF you. say good-by for him
Am tired now and sleepy" With this
] he lapsed into peaceful sIumber.
The late afternoon sun. streaming
through the big hospital windows
+ found nurse Winthrop again standing
I beside her new patient The hcat
d nurse gently chided Miss Winthrop
for the decided interest in patient
No @Jf
The girls eyes filed with tears art
r she answered humbly, please DON
5 Scold. for he was with my brothel
Fred. The two were together wher
i the machine was lit"
] Forgive mo dear. did not know,
! replied the older woman. "Stay her,
1 until he awakens. l viii attend t,
ii your other duties
7 "The Birds" eyes opened
The injured man gazcd in wonder
ment at the face before him. Il knov
you'll have seen you before" he re
e peated you are Fred's sister Katy.
e Two small white fingers were place,
on his lips and sweet voice adnon
!. ishcd, You must not talk now"
. With the uniniured hand he re
/ moved the fingers from his lips. Ey
10 erting his whole strength he held thcr
/ firmly While he insisted, Il won't b
4 quiet, must talk Want you to under
= stand Dear old Fred, my best frient
! comrades since war started. Sends Al
Il his love to YOU
Al Her eyes filled with tears and wit
ne gentle firmness she released her hant
r. saying. please do not talk any more
u You must be quiet, for you are il
7, iured and ILL.,"
le His convalescence was very rapiC
= When he was almost we'll one da
! they were seated on the cool, wild
in sun-shaded porch, the small whit
a. hand Of Miss Winthrop nesting in hi
ID and he recited the adventures of he
&c brother and himself Her eyes owe
g flowed with tears and she murmuret
W Dear brother. So noble good an
~ true,"
20 Firmly he held her hands and |
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