Catoctin clarion., 1918-02-21
49, N~---'~- -
%
Whispering Pit
ccopyrlsht, 1917. western Newspaper union.)
Bv GEORGE ELMER COBB

most pleasant surprise of his life. Lit
tie Benny Burton was the spokesman
of the group, and Benny was Lois Bur-
toms brother.
"We're going to build a catamount,
Mr.. Noble" said Benny seriously.
"You mean q cantOnment, don't you
Benny? suggested Adrian pleasantly.
II guess so," ratified on Benny, "and
we want rifle pits, and some barb wire
things, and some trenches. We don't
want you to do the digging. Well do
that. Just come up and see the dandy
place we've got to play soldiers In,
Then you sort Of mark out where we're
to build the pits. We know you can do
it, because you're an army officer
"Not quite yet Benny" advised Ad-
rlan, "but 1 think can help you out"
And very glad to do so was Adrian
Noble, candidate for the officers train
ing camp, soon to report for duty. He
was glad because it would bring him
near to Lois, the one idol Of his
dreams.
Now Adrian Noble had never told his
love. There had not been much Oppor-
tunity. for Lois and himself met gen.
orally when they were members OF
group.
II must tell Lois soon, though"
mused the anxious lover. 'ln another
week will be 200 miles away, leaving
the field to clever and handsomer fell
lows than myself"
Adrian could have marked out the
mock camp In two hours. Instead, he
took two days and he would have pro-
longed this military supervision indeti-
nitely, only that Lois was Off on ly-
ing visit to neighboring town. Those
first two days, however, were delight.
full. Lois and her girl friends pro-
fessed great interest in the little oan-
tonment. She was gracious, more than
friendly to Adrian, for she was pleased
with his attentions and secretly proud
! Of him for offering his services to his
country unsolicited. The little patriots
worked like beavers and really con.
structed very creditable layout.
"There's one thing we've got to have
to watch the enemy" Benny had told
Adrian.
! whats that?" inquired the latter.
"Whisperlng pit, just like they've
got in France"
''He means listening pit" explain
ed one of his cohorts.
NAV, l don't" dissented Benny
staunchly. Cant you listen and whis-
per, too, in the pit. Got to whisper II
you don't want to be bombed" and so,
Just as the soldiers at the front con-
struct n pit beyond the wire line with
an underground passage to reach 1t, an
old digging reaching some ten feet
down was utilized, and Benny was very
proud Of this feature Of his canton
ment.
Adrian visited his young friends
daily, but Lois was away and the local
ity had lost its charm. She returned
the day that he received orders to re-
port ut the distant training camp.
"Tve simply got to see Lois before
60 away" he declared to himself.
Lois had returned, but he did not
find her at home. He strolled past the
homes of some of her girl friends,
where he hoped to catch sight of her,
but failed to locate her. 1t was just af-
ter dusk that evening when he went
to the vicinity of the Burton home. Ad-
rian passed the house and did not see
Lois about the place, and could not
summon the courage to 60 to the door
and inquire about her. He rounded the
place and traversed the cantonment,
hoping to find her in the garden. Sud-
denly, while he was peering towards
the house, he slipped, lost his balance
and went headlong into the whispering
pit.
"Benny-time to come in for the
belonged to Lois, who was In quest OF
little Benny, expecting to find him at
his favorite rendezvous, but Benny had
marched down town with his COM
rades.
Adrian could not repress sharp cry
as he landed In the bottom Of the pit.
for he fell upon one side and his wrist
was sprained.
"Who Is there. Benny?" spoke Lois,
approaching the edge Of the excava-
ton.
ITS me-Adrian Noble" came the
reply. 1--WE fallen In here by accident.
It's pretty deep and can't very well
get out through the narrow under
ground passage, and"
ooh, dear! how did it ever happen"
cried Lois In her sOlicitude. "Are you
hurt?"
Nothing to speak of. except my
wrist" explained Adrian. 1.-THE boy
had ladder"
Yes, it's here" responded Lois eag-
erly. 'Tm going to lower 1t. What
ever were you doing here In the dark7"
II was hoping to see you"
"OhT
"For I'm going away tomorrow. How,
good you are!" added Adrian, as the
ladder lowered, he ascended 1t, but
paused at Its top. Lois had extended
helping hand. He did not release it.
Just minute, before l climb over"
added Adrian, infused with sudden
courage-and hope, too-for the anx-
iety and interest of Lois In him made
the moment a delightful one.
This is the whispering pit you
know, Lois" said Adrian. II want to
whisper something to you before l
leave it-I love you"
And Lois did not take away her
hand, and when he got to her side she
did not run away.
She Misunderstood.