The Washington herald., 1918-03-08
CHAPTER xxIv-coNTINUED.

-@@N -N<AA N"~NANAAAN OL@As
The captain. utterly disgusted with
him, sent him under escort to divi-
sion headquarters for trial by court
martial charged with desertion under
fire.
They shoot deserters in France.
During his trial. Lloyd sat as one
dazed. and could put nothing forward
in his defence, only an occasional
Don't have me shot,
His sentence was passed: TO be
shot At 3:3S o'clock on the morning
OF May IS. 1876" This meant that he
had only one more day to live.
He did not realize the awfulness OF
his sentence, his brain seemed para
lized. He knew nothing Of his trip.
under guard, in a motor lorry to the
sand-bagged guardroom in the village,
where he was dumped on the fiosr and
left, while a sentry with a fixed bay
onet 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 a kind voice:
'Cheero, laddie, better eat some
thing. You'll feel better. Don't give
up hope. You'll be pardoned before
morning. I know the way they run
these things. They're only trying to
scare you, that's all. Come now, that's
good lad, eat something. It'll make
the world look different to YOU"
The good-hearted sentry knew he
was lying about the pardon. He knew
nothing short OF a miracle could save
The poor lad. Lloyd listened eagerly
10 his sentry's words, and believed
them. A look OF hope came into his
eyes, and he ravenously ate the meal
beside him.
In about an hours time, the chap
lain came to see him. but Lloyd
would have none OF him. lie wanted
no parson; he was to be pardoned.
The artillery behind the lines sud-
denly opened up with everything they
had. An intense bombardment of the
enemy's lines had commenced. The
roar Of the guns was deafening.
Loyd's fears came back with a rush.
and he covered on the earthen floor
with his hands over his face.
The sentry, seeing his position, came
in and tried to cheer him by talking
to him:
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
a taste of cold steel with their saIl-
sases and beer You just sit tight now
until they relieve you. III have to go
now, lad, as It's nearly time for my
relief, and don't want them TO see
me a-talkin. with you. So long, lad
die, cheero."
With this, the sentry resumed the
pacing Of his post In about ten min
utes time he was relieved, and q Com
pany d man took his place.
Looking into the guardhouse, the
sentry noticed the covering attitude
Of Lloyd, and, with q sneer said to
himI
Instead of whimpering in that cor
her, you ought 10 oe saying your pray
ers. It's bally conscripts like you
what's spoilin' our record We've been
out here nigh onto eighteen rnonths.
and you're the first man to desert his
post. The whole battalion Is laughIn'
and pokin' fun at Company d, bad
luck to youi but you won't get an
other chance to disgrace US. They'll
put your lights out In the mornin'."
After listening to this tirsde, Lloyd.
IN q faitering voice. asked: They are
not going to shoot me, are they? Why,
the other sentry said they'd pardon
me. For Gods sake-don't tell me I'm
to be shot" and his voice died away
In a sob.
"of course, they're going to shoot
you. just like old Smith. Always a.
tryin' to cheer some one. You amt
got no more chance o. bein' pardoned
than have Of gettln' to be colonel Of
By sBatt':'s