The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-02-15


the sentry outside the tent disturbed
his prisons
"Halt. Who goes there?" rang the
challenge
ut is /, Colonel Lefevre," was the
response Il must see the General"
impossible answered the sentry,
my orders are to admit no one"
The General is sleeping" said Cap
tain Jean Francois, appearing at the
entrance. of the tent and saluting the
Colonel, "he cannot be disturbed
But Captain urged the Colonel, II
insist on seeing him. My business is
urgent. This man. pointing to
form dimly visible in the waning
darkness that betokened coming
dawn, has just arrived from Verdun
in biplane. His companion lies
wounded in the hospital, shot by the
Germans as the airship crossed their
lines n
Very well, Colonel 1 shall arouse
the General said Captain Jean Fran
co.'s, re-entering the tent.
But it was unnecessary to arouse
the General. He had heard the last
words of the conversation Tell Col
onel Lefevre and his companions to
enter" he said. The latter complied
and the Colonel, several other officers
and the airman entering stood at at
tention in the~presence of their chief.
so he comes from Verdun?" queried
General Joinville, pointing to the
stranger
Yes, General answered Colonel
Lefevre saluting, "he arrived not ten
| minutes ago, and refuses to tell his
errand to any save yourself His COM
paniOn lies unconscious in the hos
pital.
Your name?' said the General
glancing at the aeronaut, who wore
the uniform of lieutenant
Lieutenant Andre Favre,' replied
the other with a salute.
And your errand?' inquired the
General.
My orders are to tell it to you
| alone, SIR said the Lieutenant with a
glance at the officers surrounding him.
Gentlemen, you may leave,' said
the General with wave of his hand
to the officers.
Jean Francois was about to leave
with the others. Stay Captain Jean
Francois" said the General do you
wait at the entrance to the tent"
Jean Francois saluted and obeyed.
AS he stood at his post and the MUIR
muir of the colIoQuy within came to
his ears, he thanked Heaven that he
was not an aeronaut. That poor fell
low in the hospital" thought he "It
is bad enough to fight on solid ground.
But to make war in the air. All, that
is truly terrible" He was aroused
from his reverie by Lieutenant Favre
The General wishes to see you,
Captain" said the latter touching him
! on the shoulder. The Captain re-enter-
ing, stood silent before his chieftain
But he noted that the lines of care
had grown trif1e deeper on the Gen
erals brow during the few moments
he had been absent
Captain" began the General speak
ing slowly, as men in deep trouble of
| mind are wont to do, this man brings
news that Verdun must fall within
| tWentyfour hours, if help does not ar
rive. The enemy have notified the
garrison that if they do not surrender
at the end of that time, the city will
be stormed and no quarter given AS
it seems impossible to withstand an
other attack, the Commandant has re-
solved to capitulate. Yet you know
that if we win tomorrow, as we surely
must, we ourselves shall be able to re-
lieVe the CITY," Jean Francois nodded
Now continued the General, sit is
important that this news remain secret
until after tOmorroW's engagement.
This man sent to notify me of the ap-
preaching surrender must return to
Verdun to bid the Commandant hold
out to the bitter end. Two men are
required to man the biplane. His COM
panion lies wounded unable to return.
Someone must take his place The
service is desperate and requires the
bravest Of the brave. Therefore l
have chosen you"
Me, General?' answered Jean Fran
co.'s, stammering like a schoolboy,
"but-but-''
will you go, Captain?' almost
pleaded his commander. Il trust you
absolutely and it is my wish"
Yes, General, if you wish, it is my
duty. Your will is my law said the
Captain, though his pale face showed
the dread he felt
Il knew you would, God bless you
my noble fellow" said the General
wringing his hand. Jean Francois
blushed and stammered at the action
of his beloved Chieftain, but he said
not word.
1T is now four-thirty," said the Gen.
eral, 'and you better start at once
Let no one know your Grand" and
with a clasp of the hand of each he
babe, Them farewell
The brain of Jean Francois was in
a whirl as with the lieutenant he hur-
ried to the tent of the cooks and swal-
lowed cup of coffee and biscuit. Only
few sentries were stirring as they
passed through the slumbering camp
and came to where the huge biplane
lay. Two soldiers stood on guard at
the machine
Your. place is here" said Lieuten-
ant Favre pointing to tiny seat on
the left of the machine 'A1l Won have