The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-06-19
What Might
Have Been
By F. A. Mitchell

girl companions, Clochette Larrabee,
had received declaration Of love from
each, but neither man knew Of the 9TH
er's proposal. nor did Clochette tell
them or make any difference in her
treatment Of them from what 1t had
been. The truth is that both these
declarations were made shortly before
the young men marched away in the
same regiment to meet the German in
vasion.
In the battle Of the Marine Boyer was
severely wounded and was sent home
to recover. Clochette nursed him, but
showed only the sympathy Of a friend.
Dufour that Boyer knew she had given
him her heart. He recovered from his
wound and before he returned told her
that he knew she loved his friend.
Then she admitted that such was the
case, but charged him not to communi-
cate 1t to Jean.
"FOr," she said, "if Jean is killed and
my marrying you will add to your com
fort will do So"
Edouard shook his head mournfully,
but said nothing
1t did not occur to Clochette that she
had given Boyer a reason to wish for
his friends death. Did such wish
thrust itself unhidden into Boyer's
breast? Such thought might come to
any one under similar circumstances.
Dufour was ten years older than
Boyer. They had been playmates, and
Dufour's superior age and strength
caused him to look upon his friend as
something to be protected, though
Boyer seemed perfectly able and will
ing to take care of himself This feel
ing of an older for younger brother
chung to Jean In the war, and II there
vas any exposure needed from one or
the other Jean insisted upon. bearing
1t. Not that Edouard assehted to this.
Indeed, he did what he could to de
feat his friend thus from fayoring him.
One day comrade in passing from
an advanced trench to one in the rear
was felled by bullet before he reach
ed his goal. Jean and Edouard both
tcu W OIluS oSoh OANSASo
Edouard back Edouard rebelled and
so fiercely that his friend was surpris.
ed. Both went to the rescue, and for
"a wonder both returned unframed
s,., the wounded man. though they
Tough storm Of bul
lets.
Jean Dufour was puzzled as to the
cause of his friend having become so
harsh with him ut his having desired
to assume the risk of bringing In the
wounded man. 1t was the first time
Edouard had ever protested with irri-
tation against being thus favored. But
Edouard volunteered no explanation.
and Jean asked for none. Neverthe-
: less from that time there was some
thing unexplained between them, the
| first of its kind. for up to that time
the relation between them had been
that of older and younger brother.
One day the Germans made an on
slaught upon certain position de-
Tending verdun. For awhile trench
fighting was abandoned and the bat
l Tic WAS Ill tuc ODtil- uc iCSlnlChC W
which the two friends belonged was
much scattered, but Jean, ever solicit
Gus for his friend. kept him in sight,
and In time the two found themselves
in what, before a destructive fire had
robbed II of its trees. was a forest.
comrades. and Jean went to bring him
back In this way both had been left
on neutral ground. There was nothing
for them to do but hide behind what
was left of some tree that had been
shot away above. Jean chose log
and Edouard stump.
A small party Of Germans came to
occupy the ground The officer com
manding them was heard to say: 81
| saw Frenchman duck near here. We
must find him before we move on.
Show no quarter"
Edouard arose and began to fire at
the squad Before Jean could realize
! the situation his friend fell, riddled
with bullets. Then the Germans bur
| ried away
Jean Dufour remained where he was
and when night fell went to the body
Of his friend, took it up and carried 1t
into the French lines.
Jean was at a loss to understand
! why Edouard had not waited until the
| Germans found him. The more he
thought Of Edouard's act the more he
was puzzled At the same time the
| words of the German officer that there
was one man to be found would come
up In Jeans mind to suggest that
| Edouard had sacrificed himself that
/ Jean might escape.
/ Some months after this Jean Dufour
was so badly wounded as to incapaci-
tate him for further service and was
sent home
He recounted to Clochette the cir
cumstances attending Edouard's death.
1t was not until after Jean and
Clochette we're married that she re-
vealed to her husband the remarkable
sacrifice his friend had made for him