Evening star., 1917-10-07

for the cold can't eat The only ration
We Eet Is bully beef. and our insides are
The cold gets into your blood. gets into
your brains It won't let you think, or
else you think crazy things. It makes
you afraid" He shook himself like
man coming out of a bad dream
$50 I'm through" he said. He scowled
at each Of us. as though defying us to
contradict him. That's why I'm quit
bit Because I'm d well fed up on
it," He kicked yiciously at the water
logged uniform on the floor. ANY one
who wants my job can have IT.! He
walked to the window. turned his back
on US and fixed his eyes hungrily on the
Adriaticus. There was long pause.
For guidance we looked at John, but he
was staring down at the desk blotter.
scratching on it marks that he did not
see.
the Kid rushed in. That's certainly q
hard luck story" he said. "but." he
added. Its nothing to the hard luck
you'll strike when you can't tell why
you left the army"
Hamlin turned with an exclamation.
but Billy held UP his hand. Now wait"
he begged. I'VE haven't time to get
mussy. In two hours your leave is up
and at the troop train starts back to
Mr.. Hamlin interrupted sharply.
And the Adriaticus." he answered
defiantly, starts at So
Billy did not heed him. you've got
two hours to change your mind" no
said. That's better than being sorry
you didn't the rest of your life"
Mr.. Hamlin threw back his head and
laughed. 1t was a most unpleasant
laugh.
You're fine body of men," he jeered
America must be proud of you"
IF we weren't Americans" Billy ex-
planned patiently, we wouldn't give a
d whether you deserted or not.
You're drowning and you don't know it.
We're throwing you rope. Try to see
1t that way. Weil cut out the fact that
you took an oath and that you're
get down to results. When you reach
home II you can't tell why you left the
army the folks will darn soon guess
done. When you come to sell your stuff
1t will queer you with the editors.
queer you with the publishers. If they
know you broke your word to the Brit
keeping faith with them? Can they be-
iieve anything you tell them. Every
story you write. every statement of
yours will make noise like fake.
You won't come into court with clean
hands. You'll be licked before you
enter the ring.
OF course. you're for the allies:
Well. all the Germans at home will
fear that, and when you want to lee
ture on your Fifteen Months at the
British Front they'll look up your rec
ord. and what will they do to you?
This is what they'll do to you: When
you've shown 'em your moving pic
lures and say. Does any gentleman
in the audience want to ask ques-
tion?' German agent will get up and
say, Yes, want to ask a question.
Is it true that you deserted from the
British army and that il you return
to II you will be shot?"
l was scared. i expected the lean
and muscular Mr., Hamlin to fall on
Billy and fling him where he had flung
the soggy uniform. But, instead. he
remained motionless. his arms pressed
across his chest. His eyes. filled with
anger and distress, returned to the
AdriaticuS.
I'm sorry" muttered the Kid.
John arose and motioned to the door
and guiltily and only too gladly we es-
capped. John followed us into the hall.
Let me talk to him., he whispered.
"The boat sails in an hour. Please
don't come back until she's gone"
We went to the moving picture pal
ace next door, but 1 doubt II the
thoughts OF any of us were on the pic
lures. For after an hour. when from
across the quay there came the long
drawn warning of steamers whistle.
we nudged each other, rose and went
out.
Not 100 yards from us the propeller.
blades OF the Adriaticus were slowly