South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-12
- SUBSCRIB BE HERE;

O'Clock breakfast. and Pun had
come in Dreathless and indignant a
few minutes later. They won't
move for me-" ne cried. 'YouU
have TO rome and do IT,"
So Harlan had gone. He knew
the training officers knew all these
things. lie was afraid Puff would
be sent home, and that would have
teen the end OF the girl and Pun
happiness forever
But there was one hope. As I
said before Puff was as game as a
wood cock. He wasn't afraid of
anything. and surely that is some
asset for a soldier Harlan wished
be could show il in some way. But
would the opportunity present 1t
seize II did.
They had been all week in the
trenches, digging, sleeping and fight
ing (sham battles OF cOurse) in q
lake OF mud Now II was Saturday
and they had returned 20 barracks,
bathed, clothes changed and were off
10 town for a two days lay-Off. 1t
was good 20 be free again.
The road to the car lay between
fields bereft OF summer crops; IN
places the ground had been plowed
and narrowed for the winter wheat.
and the leaves on the trees were
turning and thinning: every wind
: brought a vari-cOlOred shower 20
earth. In the center Of the meadow
stood an apple tree laden with
fright. rich fruit ready TO be pick
ed, and this tree was TO be the set
ting Of a scene with little Puff as
star performer.
Suddenly there was a scream, and
boy of six or seven who had been
picking apples off the ground under
the tree started for the fence fol-
loved by a bull. foaming and roar
ing and covering the ground at a
ferrous rate.
Heavens! Look there" cried
Harlan. turning his gaze from an
automobile coming toward them. He
was about to call Puff's attention
10 it, as it was a Marian and belong
ed 10 Capt. Ingraham. the senior
instructor.
Puff hadn't seen it, nor was he
likely 10 now. He had seen the
peril of the little boy. and started
for the fence without hesitation.
Harlan's wits worked fast. AS
top sergeant he was entitled to wear
side arms, and now he reached in
stinctively for his pistol. But here
was an opportunity not 10 be lost
The senior officer for an audience;
a scene all set for action, and an
opportunity for Puff to show what
sterling stuff he had in him. Har-
Ian dropped his hand.
The bull was fast gaining. and
the boy. seeing he could never
rake the fence, had doubled back
TO the tree.
But Puff, without a word. had
cleared the fence with one jump
and was tearing for dear life across
the field, yelling and waving his
arms TO divert the bulls attention.
Now, to tell it all would take a
column, and there is no room for
that. besides what we are interest
ed in is the result of what hap
pened. 1t was done very quickly.
Puff picked up the boy and almost
threw him up into the lowest crook
ed branch, where he hung on for
dear life; but he had no time TO
get up himself. Then he turned and
faced the on-coming bull calmly
and squarely. stepping behind the
tree just i'm time to escape the
shock which followed.
But IL couldn't last long. The
bull, now mad with fury. was
stamping and goring and Puff was
getting too tired TO keep continu-
tally out of his way. Then Harlan
fred and the animal rolled over.
Now Harlan expected the senior
officer TO come up with congratula-
tons. but instead a girl got out OF
the Marian car.
Harry. Harry" she called fran
tically. Il saw il all and it was
the bravest thing anybody ever did"
Puff opened his arms and she
went straight into them. 81 don't
care if you never get commission,
Harry" she declared. Il know
you're brave and 1 love you"
Harlan smiled. The grandstand
play had been made to the wrong
audience. But after all, was il?