The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-02-16
go hi rher CAME fake Paris. TheT


no good to anyone" Larry groaned.
=
"Doctor! This lady wishes to see
You"
Doctor Aubrey turned as the Red
Cross man spoke; and his glance en-
countered a girl-an English girl,
dressed in suit once white, but now
torn and bedraggled. Her hair was
disheveled. and her face showed pale
and wan in the half-light of the dim
church.
"She has a pass from General
French's headquarters" the man add
ed.
MAY 1 be of servicer' the doctor
asked her.
Ethel stepped forward then.
'For ten days I've been searching
your various field hospitals" she told
him. "This is my last chance. Tell
me-oh, I'm afraid! I'm afraid to
ask! She nerved herself by a
visible effort. "Tell me-is Captain
Captain $50
As she faltered there came quick
cry from the man the doctor had just
left.
"Ethel!' Larry's call electrified them.
She hurried to him.
"Oh, my dearv' she answered with
a dry sob.
my darlin'! Ny darlin'! You're
safe-you're not hurtT' he exclaimed,
as she put her arms about him with
immense tenderness.
mo, no! And I'm here with you,
thank Godr'
Tell me-what news from the
front?" he demanded, as a roll of cam
nonading filled the church with its res
onant booming.
"Oh, can't tell you," she said. "It's
too dreadful" But she saw that he
craved the truth, even though it were
the worst. Were still retreating.
They say-Paris is lost"
The notes of bugIe again sounded
clear through the roar of the great
guns.
"Oh, dear God, they mustn't take
PARISH Larry cried. eff we can keep
Paris, we've a fighting chance" He
stopped abruptly then, and turned his
head as if at some wondrous sound.
Listen to the buglesv' he shouted.
They're not playing retreat! That's
the call to attack! What does
! it meanY
A messenger burst into the church.
who's in charge here?" he de-
manded.
IT am" Aubrey told him.
"I'm from headquarters" the man
said SIS Captain Lawrence Redmond
here?"
Eyes, yes! I'm herew Larry called,
struggling to his feet with Ethel's
help.
The messenger crossed to where the
wounded man stood, half supported
by the girl.
II have the honor to report he am
nounced, ''that General French and
| General Joffre extend to you their
grateful thanks for your information.
and to state that you have been men,
toned in the dispatches for signal
bravery in the cause of the allies"
"Oh, my dear-and you said For
King and Countryv" Ethel exclaimed,
her heart near to bursting with pride
in him.
"What do I matter" he chided her.
when out there they are driving us
back? Hear their gunsH The little
structure that sheltered them shook
from cellar to raftered roof under the
vibration of the terrific fire
"One momentw said the messenger.
81 have to add, sir that your informa-
ton, coming at vital time, has en-
abled the English troops, in conjunc-
ton with the French, to execute turn
ing movement And after four-days'
battle the enemy is now in retreat be-
yond the Marne"
Larry seemed not to grasp the news.
He looked duly at the man from head
quarters.
what did you sayw he asked.
"The enemy is in retreat"
But they said we were beaten"
Larry stammered.
"Tm just in from the 'front.'" the
messenger informed him. II tell you,
the enemy is in retreat"
"And Paris? Paris is safe" Larry
cried, as the joy of it all broke over
him.
Paris is safe" was the answer.
band was playing now, and those
glad folk in the little church could hear
the thunder of marching feet
You hear?" the messenger asked.
chats the French The reserves are
coming up from Paris"
That's the English troopsr' Larry
shouted. as he recognized familiar
marching air.
Eyes! They landed today" the man
said.
Larry stood there listening to the
welcome strains. One arm he had flung
about Ethel And the other he waved
above his bandaged head
more of our boys off to the front!'
he exulted "And do you mind what
they're playing. my darling?' he asked