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

VOV ~
NE bosom Of Sergeant Lynd-
ham was filled to the brim with
j disgust and loathing. Nor was
this disgust and loathlng entire
" without reason. Months of wallow.
ing Ike q pig In the mud of trenches
does not sweeten the soul, and when
1T is combined with endless duties in
the cold fall rains Of shell-swept re-
gion that Is akin to the borders of
lnrerno, the nerves become ragged.
Hence had come about the curdling of
the milk Of human kindness which had
previously existed within him.
Nor had few little midnight sur
prise parties over the top in which the
sayonet had been the principal piece
Ne resistance tended to decrease these
sensations. Even being bowled 20
!eet by the conclusion of shell had
aot cheered him. But it had remain
I'd for Whit Of poison gas and
squirt Of liquid fire to set and solidify
his mind to its present condition.
Alive, dead, or as yet unborn, Ser
seant Lyndham was of the fixed opin-
on that he did not like the Boches.
And the last "a hours had been
particularly obnoxious from the fact
that they had been entirely sleepless.
The horizon was still lurid with can
hon flashes and the uproar remained
fendish despite the fact that it was
hours after midnight, but he was ac-
iustomed to such things, and knew
that once asleep, they would not trou-
BILE him. Also, for all he knew, he
might dream Of something pleasant. He
was free now for a few hours within
his blankets, and was In the act of
removing his boots when his captain
thrust his head within and motioned
for him to come forth. Knowing that
something both new and disagreeable
confronted him, he arose and stepped
out as commanded.
For a 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. .s
Sergeant Lyndham," said the colo
mel thoughtfully. IA few months ago
when you accompanied one of our air.
men over the line and destroyed q
plant of the enemy, you did very
brave and skillful thing. For that
net you were made sergeant. To-
night we must have another duty per-
formed, and I have selected you be-
rause 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?" 1t was plain
enough now that there would be no
rest or sleep for him again this night,
and the sergeant's disgust and loath-
Ing mounted accordingly. Yet he man
pged to swallow them.
eyes, SIR" he grunted. The colonel
bodied.
"You are a brave and willing soldier,
,ergeant. Were 1t not for the fact that
The regiment contains so many men
ike you would sometimes become
hlIed with fear and sadness. Now
Tor the reason I sent for you. You
will remember the trenches which run
through Theirs woods, do you not!''
"Slightly, colonel. I helped cap
hire 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
rnst1ng and made ME loathe them.
81 have no doubt. But now listen.
I've have reason to believe that they
have evacuated the position, while II
has become important that we regain
It. You will follow my reasoning. II
The enemy has deserted the often we
wish to know 1t, while If he has not,
It is equally important that we should
know. since we must be advised beIore-
hand what we may expect Wnen we
naka orr advance-whether resistance
or unopposed occupancy. Therefore,
we are compelled to send someone as
4 scout to ascertain the conditions,
"And because Of the darkness ana
Streetops the airmen are uselessT
exactly. Therefore, you Will crawl
upon your stomach to the WOOD gong
alone the better to escape observation.
~ working your way fiat upon the
cr - and instantly becoming still
s,orld their lights fall upon you, you
, ID, he mistaken by them for what you
s - ,sLalv is becomeon one Of the dead
4 men OF which you will pass many, !. y
/ YOU "a are lucky. Should you return VIZ ~
{ this information, well and good; Il not
we viii be compelled to adopt o.nel
means to secure our information. Low
4 HNvy