Evening star., 1918-08-11
hY EUGENE pREvEToN.
A FRENCH WAR STORY, TRANS
LATED BY WILLIAM L. McPHER-
SON.

A FRENCH WAR STORY, TRANS-
LATED BY WILLIAM L. McPHER-
SON.
w YHEN Gen. Melsau-one OF
\A he.heroes of the great war
wv quilted the Artois front.
" where he commanded di-
vision, it was never for long.
"Parisw he cried, jumping into his
auto.
Sure of his chauffeur-a young fol-
low Of twenty-five whom he had ac-
cepted unwillingly and whom at the
beginning he had treated a little
slightingly because he considered him
something of, a slacker-the general
usually lolled back on the cushions
and utilized the journey to make out
a schedule which would have kept
him going for at least two weeks.
But this day things were different,
The business which, on orders from
tthe commander Of the army. was
taking him to the ministry in Paris
could not be dispatched as quickly
around for many hours. Without let.
ting himself appear so. the general
was furious.
"What am I to do while I am kill
ing time? Suppose invite myself to
breakfast with Nine. des Sablons-
Deville? In her last letter she re-
preached me with having forgotten
her."
The idea of spending few minutes
with the excellent lady. the widow Of
one of his best friends. a high func-
tionary in the court of accounts, re-
lleved his i'll humor. He gave an or
der and the auto sped swiftly to the
Champs Elysees. ->.
"Ah. general! What a pleasant sur
prise! Just this morning was think
ing Of you"
'But you didn't think you would
have me for breakfast? admit to
you in all frankness that the reason
I am here is that am held up In
meeting an official appointment"
The general had arrived. as he had
calculated to do. just at the moment
when breakfast was about to be
served. 80
He was a brilliant talker, when he
took the trouble to exert himself and
his biting phrases always delighted
his audience. Today. his i'll humor
having passed, he was in his best vein.
Nine. des Sablons-Deville, who listen
ed to him with a smile, had never seen
him show more dash and charm.
But he stopped short in the midst Of
some pleasing a9ecdote Of the war
an air which seemed too tragic not to
be a little exaggerated, "how about
my chauffeur? I had completely for
gotten him, the animal"
"Your chauffeur? repeated Nine.
des Sablons- Deville. II suppose he is
taking breakfast, too. most comfort
ably, in the servants dining room"
'Tn the servants dining room? What
a bad break. my dear friend: But 1t
is all my fault. I should have told
you"
Then he went on. with a huge burst
of laughter.
Suppose his papa, humiliated in the
person of his heir presumptive, should
demand my retirement? That fellow
(exouse the expression) is the son of
Demeure, the present minister Of wa.
ter communications. Between our
selves. what foolish notion 1t is to
be at once an automobile chauffeur
and the son of minister! But 1t is
so. nevertheless The poor little fell
low would have caught cold in the
trenches. So his mamma, much con-
cerned for her only chick, maneuvered
to have him classed as an automobile
driver. I accepted him. I couldn't do
otherwise. And I am very we'll satis-
fled. He didn't finch one day when we
were passing over a road under fire.
No, he didn't even salute the shells"
Il am going to apologize to him,
general. shall tell him I didn't
know"
Look out! You will complicate
things, and 1t Is always we'll to avoid
complications. You are supposed not
to know After all. he didn't wear q
cockade on his cap"
Gen. Melsau didn't tarry long.
Breakfast over he had his chauffeur
summoned.
"Ah. Demeure, how did you break
fast?'
Very well, general"
You were not bored"'
Not for minute. general"
light blush showed on the young
mans cheeks. He was a little frail in
appearance, but with his little black
mustache setting off his pale complex
ion. his face was clear and resolute.
"He blushed," said the general to
himself. THAT proves that after all he
felt some resentment. But he lis good
natured. He will soon forget It,"
In the midst of his military preoccu-
pations he had himself long forgotten 1t