The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1918-05-23

He remained there an night. listen
Ing 20 the sound of the guns and ever
praying. praying that his useless life
would be spared.
As dawn began TO break, he could
discern little dark objects protruding
from the ground all about him. Curl
osity mastered his fear and he crawied
TO one Of the objects. and there, in the
uncertain light. he read on n little
wooden cross:
"Pfe. II. s. Wheaton. No. 1870, 1st
London Regt. i. r. Killed In action.
April 25. 1915. n /. r." Crest in
Pcsce).
When it dawned ON him that he had
been hiding all night In cemetery
his reason seemed to leave him, and
mad desire to be free from IL all made
him rush madiy away. falling over III
tie wooden crosses. smashing some and
trampllng others under his feet
In his flight be came TO an old
French dugout, half caved In and par.
tally filled with stimy and filthy Wa,
ter.
Like n fox being chased by the
hounds. he ducked into this hole, and
threw himself on pile NJ old empty
sanJl.ags, wet and mildewed. Then
Inconsistencies.
ON the next day. he came to; far
distant voices sounded In bis ears
Opening his eyes, In the entrance of
the dugout he saw corporal and two
men with fixed baycnefs-
The corporal was addressing him:
sect up. you white-iivercd biirhteri
Curse you and the day you ever Joined
D company. spelling their fine rec
ord. I'm he you up against the wall.
md good job too. Get hold OF him,
men. md if he makes n break. give him
The bayonet. and send II home. the COW
ardiy sneak. Come on. you. move.
we've been looking for you long
enough"
Lloyd. trembling and weakened by
his long fast. tottercd ont. assisted by
Z soldier on each side OF him.
They took him before the captain.
but could get nothing out Of him but;
For Gods sake. sir. don't have me
shot. don't hnve me rbOtr'
The captain. utterly disgusted with
him, sent him under escort 10 division
headquarters for trial by court-rnar-
tIai. charged with de.ertion under IRE
They shoot descrters In France
During his trial. Lloyd sat ns one
iazcd. and could put nothing forward
In his defense. only an occasional
Don't have me sboti'
His sentence was passed: ITO be
shot Mt 3 rs O'Clock in the morning of
May 1S. 1318.' This meant that he
had only "nc more day to live.
He did not realize the nwfuIncss OF
his sentence; his brain seemed pnra-
lyzed. lie knew n0-bing Of his trip.
under guard. in motor iorry 10 the
sandbagged guardroom In the village.
where he was dumped on the floor and
left. while sentry With i liked -Dayo-
act paced up and down In front of the
entrance.
Bully beef. water and biscuits were
left beside him for his supper.
The sentry, seeing that he ate moth
ing. came inside and shook him by the
shoulder, saying in kind voice:
"Cheero, 1atdje. better eat some
thing. Yourl feel better. Don't give
up hope. You1l be pardoned before
kuVW Nlt way tntf ibh
these things. They're only trying 10
scare you. that's all. Come now. that's
good Ind. eat something. It'lI make
the world look different to ycn."
The good-hearted sentry knew he
was lying about the pardon. He knew
nothing short OF miracle could save
the poor lad.
Lloyd listened eagerly to his, sentry's
words, and believed them. A look of
hope came into his eyes, and he raven
ously ate the meal beside him.
In about an hours time. the chap
lain came TO see him. hut Lloyd would
have none Of him. He wanted no par
son he was to be pardoned-
The artillery behind the lines sud-
denly opened up with everything they
had. An intense bombnrdinen. Of the
enemy's lines had commenced. The
roar of the guns WINS deafeniny.
Lloyd's fears came back with n rush.
and he covered on the eartben floor
with his hands over his face.
The sentry, seeing his position. came
In and tried,tO cheer him BY talking to
him: -Fp
"Never mind them guns, boy. they
won't hurt you. They are ours. We
are giving the Boches a dose OF their
own medicine. Our boys are going over
the top at dawn OF the morning to take
their trenches. Wen give 'em taste
of cold steel with their sausages and
beer. You Just sit tight now until they
relieve you. I'll have TO go now. lad.
as IT'S nearly time for my relief. and l