The Dermott news., 1918-01-24
CHAPTER xXl-Continued.

happenings in many Belgian villages came to the British. for Courvoisier was only one of many hamlets that had tragedies to relate. And the Brit lsh were powerless to aid those strck- en people.
 Trench 27-the English trench which Streetman had indicated upon his map as being the keystone to the enemy's defense-lay in the first line of the British. All unconscious of any spe cial designs that the Germans might the Tommies stationed there proceed ed to put things in shape for the gen eral action that was bound to come . After completing their grim arrange ments. there was little for them to do for the time being. except rest. And that they were glad enough to do. after their herculean exertions of those first days of the war. That there was worse ahead of them they did not doubt But in the meantime there was no reason why they should not make themselves at home.
 It was night-the second night fol- lowing that fatal day when the Ger mans descended upon the Lion dor and robbed Jeanne Christophe of her father. In Trench 2I four soldiers were playing poker under the shelter of bombproof hut that they had con structed by digging into a side of the ditch. Dirty. unshaven. begrimed. they were nevertheless enjoying to the full their wellearned respite And the flickering light of the candle which stood upon their rude table revealed no fear upon the face of any of them.
 At either end of the trench two men . stood guard. while close at hand I periscope lay upon q makeshift bench. ready for instant use Tn case the watchers should detect any unusual and suspicious movements in front Of them. Out there beneath the stars the first outpost of the enemy had already dug itself in. And In testimony of their alertness the Germans contlnu. ally played searehliEht upon the British position. That pryinc shaft Of light was never still Now | swept the top ef Trench 21. now hiekered upon tree close by. and then searched the intervening ground be tween the two lines In an effort to de feet some veEtUresume observer.
 To the four privates in the bomb proof shelter there came momentary interruption. Tn the shape of a lieu tenant. who sauntered Into their trench from the left. This youthful hnl atr | "a bit of alright" observed them pleasantly.
 Hello. boysy. he said
 They sprang up and saluted. mur- muring Good evening. sir"'
 Flows the gamer" the lieutenant inquired
 Henry. there. is winning all our cigarettes" one of the men said
 The young officer smiled. And then. drawing a pencil and a postcard from his pocket he seated himself and pro ceeded to write note to a young woman in London. For Guy Falconer had consistently kept his promise to write Georgy every day.
 The prlvates promptly resumed their poker game.
 Il raise 1t one cigarette" one Of them said. And again Guy smiled. He was glad that his boys were en- toying themselves.
 So engrossed did Lieutenant Fal- coner become in his note to his lady love that he did not notice when his captain appeared. in the company of civilian. Captain Montague paused and turned to his guest.
 Now. NIT. Brown" he said. you're in the first line of the English trenches Trench 2T-and l may say you're .the only American correspondent who has had this experience"
 Charlie Brown looked about with undisguised interest
 And rather butted in." he re- marked
 Well as long as you stumbled in- side our lines. you might as we'll see something. If you give me your word not 10 write anything"
 That's nice thing to say to newspaper man." Charlie retorted.
 But I have your wordf"
 ''I s'pose so,'' II cost Mir Brown some effort to promise that He saw the makings of a bully scoop before him. And he hated 10 forego such wonderful opportunity
 The closer you are to the front. the less you know of what's happening" Captain Montague resumed except on your own very small square of very large checkerboard. But. technically. you are under fire"
 Am r." Mir Brown was surprised at that, "Somehow. I don't feel any different" he said.
 "You would If you stuck your head Aover that trench and they happened to see It." the captain told him grimly.
 "Well-belleve me. I'm not going to-" said Charlie Aren't they un- usually quiet tonight3"
 "Yes, rather, But always before