Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-02
j Ic.t ".


Inc noon was rising over "a little
village IN France. Not a light flickered
r., not human voice was heard
seemed under the spell OF the evil charm
OF war.
The people of this little village had
shsy. looking. toward the west, saw
q great red glare against the sky they
were startled They knew that before
an horr had elapsed the flames would
be sweeping down upon them, burning
their homes and families.
Ihere was but one thing 20 do. The
women went silently 10 their work of
paeNinB UP what things could be car
ma" 1, passed e., the VILLAGE was empty.
miles when a man at the head OF the
t.IWT9p OF people turned and asked:
the line. Jean: Jean: Who has seen
him? Where ia he"" Then the man
VINO had Inquired about him. whose
among them. turned 4 once and started
back 20 the village.
n III l't'H .,I 1eyond The circle of homes
Ih;tt mad once been weli-cared for and
a hhpps FAMILY had resided there. But
W E, TIC terrible war had come the
Iathcr marched calamity away. never
10 DC seen again, and u month later
the mother had died of hunger and
pTiVatonS. ana some said of a broken
heart. she left two little sons, lean.
a boy Of twelve. and jacques. a baby
OF nHr months. When she died she
charged Jean 20 guard his younger
brother until one or the other should
In one corner Of the cottage ny n
cradle On the bed lay Jean. his gauni
ilGatnres relaxed in u restless sleep.
glare OF. the tire in th9n. ITS the
mnttcred sieepiiy, then closed his eyes
again suddenly, he sat upright in bed,
id
No. that's not the sun, the sun rises
IN ias east; that IS in The west, 1t is
h!;Stms hast:lX he ran 10 the nearest
ne iGhboF'S calling softly. Madame
Iorle; lie received no answer and
called again louder. still no an.~er.
lie went 10 the door and opened It,
running through tho house calling
There MAS no answer save the echo OF
ms call Suddenly the truth dawned
upon MN, he and jacques were alone
IN the. village and the lire was coming
w ,,.;;,, For For a moment he stood dazed
or 10 the cottage. Going 10 a chest
Ct drawers he took out IL thin sheet
thrns; them into his pocket lie went
10 to his bed ana taking off n blanket
wrapped II around jacques. He took
nim in his arms and went out again
injo The night
He knew that there was no time 10
losr' Lor ahcad there was II dead forest
and Il the fire was TO catch him there
his life and jacques would most surely
ray the forfeit. After thai there was
me creek TO cross. but once across
the danger would be over, Tor the fire
Gould not cross the water
Behind him the flames flew on wings
Of wind, burning what had once been
Happy homes. Killing women and chill
urcn ana carrying ruin ana dcsolation
IN its wake
Suddenly jean hethousht himself 10
look back, and rs he did 50 his very
mar rose IN horror. his face blancncu
with terror He set his teeth hard and
forward again. lie went out OF his
way little and spent u few precious
minutes drinking and wctting thci
clothes he had put in his pocket He
ioldcd the blanket more closely about
him. He put the other cloth over his
own nose and mouth and then pressed
onward again
Behind him came the fiery monster
mcrciless. Long tongues Of flame shot
out ali around him. its hot breath
tanned his check, bur Still he struE-
sled on. he was out OF the wood at
last, hni how far dway the creek
come suddenly. he staggered and fcil.
but he never touched the ground. Then
tie WAS cnYclopcd in darkness.
Jean opened his eyes slowly. He was
barely conscious OF his surroundings.
There whs dim light in the room
and woman weeping beside his bed
lie Winkcd back the tears OF thankful
ness that would come whcIi he thought
Of the fight he had had and was sin
NIhs. man entered Inc room and
hts own eyes filled with tears when
nc Saw the little singed head. tho scared
race aud dry. cracked lips.
Where is jacques Jean asked him
fcchly.
safe. little man, safe" Carte an
Swcrcd hussily on are Il brave lad"
lie said. his voice trembling with pride,
"A lad TO he proud of, Your fathers
own son ana my boy nov"
Now Carte has gone away TO fight
TOO. Ills w!fc cannot take care of the
boys aud they have been Put up for
adoption. Arc YOU helping to Support
them;
(orjgjuall
VIRGINIA MARSHALL. COLE.