The spectator., 1919-03-14

One day l was sent out in charge of one of these parties. Oh, yes, was a sergeant then, but I lost my stripes -disobedience of orders they called 1t. I suppose I ought to feel lucky I wasn't shot but I'll leave it to you whether I did right CT not
 At that time I was in for a com mission, but, of course, didn't get it. If I had received 1t, no doubt by this time I'd be pushing up the daisies somewhere in France. In those days officers didn't last long-made fine tar gets for the BOches.
 "This patrol was in charge of car ried rations for three days. We were to scout around just in front of the advancing enemy, but our orders were not to engage them-just get informa- ton. If the information obtained was valuable enough, was to send it in by one of the men. There were four teen of us, and we were mounted. was In the Lancers then, and was con. sidered fair rider.
 "The first day nothing happened. We just secuted around. By night fall we were pretty tired, so when we came to village-wasn't a village, either; just five or six houses clus- tered around church-I decided to go into billets for the night.
 Riding up to the largest house, which had a four-foot stone wall run ming around its garden, dismounted at the gate and knocked with the hilt of my sword. Pretty soon a light ap- peared at the front doOr-the house was on sort of knoll, so this door was In plain view. Then the sweet est voice l ever heard called out in trembling tones, in perfect English. too, but with just the suspicion of an accent:
 "'Who Is there, please?
 "1 answered, Just few English Lancers who desire place to rest for the night. The barn will do. We don't want anything to eat, as we have rations with us. So, if you will accommodate us, miss, will be much obliged was in love with that girl before saw her-the voice had done the trick.
 "She answered, Just a moment, please, until I tell father and then the door shut and the light disap- peared. We didn't have to wait long before the door opened, and she called to me:
 Father bids you welcome. and so do I, soldiers of England.'
 "Then she opened the gate. There she stood on the gravel path with the lantern held shoulder high. I trem- bled all over-thought saw a vision. tell you, Tank, she was beautiful. One of the kind you would like to take in your arms, but won't for fear of crushing. No use for me to try to describe her, Tank, it's out of my line ; but she captured me, heart and soul. There I stood like great, big boob. shaking and stuttering. At last I managed to blurt out a stammering Thank you, miss.'
 "She showed US the way to the sta bles and stood in the door holding the lantern so we could see to unsaddle. was fumbling around with the buckles, but for the life of me couldn't get that saddle of. One of the men, with a wink and broad grin, came over and help ed me. That grin got my goat. so on the sly. kicked him on the shin. He let out an explosive damn After that damn the silence was painful. The poor fellow felt like fool. I was sorry for him, even though I could have killed him for his thoughtless- ness. But our embarrassment was short-lived. because silvery laugh came from behind the lantern. a laugh that was not loud, but it echoed and re echoed among the rafters overhead. 1 can hear it right now. Tank.
 After the horses had been unsad- dled and fed, the men looked appeal ingly at me. I knew what they want ed-they were dog tired, and dying to hit the hay. Just as I was about to ask permission for them to turn in, the angel butted In with:
 "PoOr, tired soldiers. sleepy and hungry. Come right into the house. Jean has some supper and wine ready for you.'
 I've stammered our thanks and fol- lowed her into the house like a string of sheep. Tank, to me that meal was a dream. She fitted around the table, filling a glass here and there, laughing