The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-11-10

also fought in France or on the sea
IN the great struggle.
Armed Men Watch Through Night
Dawn found a brilliant Noyember
sun bursting its way through the
clouds of yesterdays storm and
thrusting golden fingers through the
windows high above the simple bier
in the dim. silent chamber. All
through the night five armed men
stood motionless about the catafaloue
IN the center Of the great granite cir.
Gle or the rotunda, watching. with
the dead comrade as they will watch
until he is carried away TO sleep out
time on the quiet Virginia hills. The
flowers laid on the casket last night
mad been set to each side of the bier
Again 1t lay in the simple glory of
the great flag that is soldiers
winding sheet. Again the cluster Of
French blossoms, withered and yell
low, was the only token on the blended
coloring OF the banner of freedom
save for the slash of white ribbon
across the center, laid in place by
Mrs. Harding, and the shield of the
nation for which he died. laid rever-
entity above the still heart by the
president.
Outside as the day came on, the sun
drove the last sullen cloud away over
the distant hills TO leave a glorious
rain washed sweep of blue, shot with
golden light above the dome and the
wakening city. Last touches were
put TO the rope-lined aisles through
which thousands were TO pass TO pay
honor TO the dead. thousands whose
one claim TO fame Is that they too
are simple Americans as he who lies
in such state as emperors and kings
may not know. Straight 10 the east.
ward ran the narrow roped way OF
soldiers, In their green field uniforms
and fixed bayonets lined each side.
on each mans shoulder swings
the loop cords Of The founagere
showing that they were OF marine
regiment decorated by France for
high valor on French soil.
Gradually the ropcd aisle leadins
ON up the great steps to the closed
doors Of the rotunda filled with folR
come 10 pass by the bier with bowed
heads
Where the steps sweep up to th,
senate chamber. another group gath
cred about n floral garland. the frs
Of the many set In place
Soldiers from the engineer barracks
ovcrcoa,ed against long vigil II
The cold OF the great chamber besld,
the dead, with fixed bayonets. move,
up the main steps and into the hall
They We're going 10 change guar,
about the casket az 1t had beef
changed ut short Intervals chrougl
'hc night. as IL would constantly
change all day, and tonight.
The party ON the senate stairs wa
led NJ to enter the rotunda by tn
senate corridor. Then. just at
o'clock the great main doors hug
bronze barriers, cmbcllishrd with In
trcate figures and designs and lonl
ago given TO the American republi
strangely enough. by France, o
whose sol the soldier died. swun
, back and ihc waiting hundreds stet
ped upward four abreast tO pass b
. the Casket.
{ america" L. Sung.
A. the first line stepped With
' the hall. from the group beside th
bier where the flowers were bein
i set In place, male voices arose /
4 blended harnonips that woke the cchoe
j. IN the high yaultcd roof above. no,
4 flooded with sunlight. They san
b. the last verse OF America"
! Long may our land be bright.
a with freedoms holy light"
g They sang with a peal. victory au
) no hint OF sorrow
I As roon came near the number ,
9 those IN line TO pass by the bier -
4 creassl All Willie ttrre were gups !
d the line at times. the people move
n through almost at the gait OF 100
J. minute.
Al stated intervals delgations al
= preached the ca,afalque for brit
oil Continued on Page Three.)