New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-21
THE LOAN

Translated by William L. Mcpherson


Guerin who was looking out of the
car window, began to recognize the
face of the country. He gave sigh of salts
faction. A smile came over his tanned face.
He was nearing home. The train would soon
stop at his own village.
His parents were dead. Nobody would be
expecting him. But he WAS happy to come
hack for few days He was going to occupy
his house, which, because he had no family, he
loved almost like living being. And he said
to himself that, since his wounds longer
bothered him. he would be able to give some
attention to his land which must be badly in
need of it.
One thing only weighed on his mnd-thc
idea of seeing the father and mother of Ballu,
a boyhood comrade, who had served in the
same regiment with him and had died early
in the war.
The train stopped. Guerin got off The
sight of the little station under the tall trees
thrilled him. He walked slowly toward the
village, breathing in with delight the familiar
odos of the country as evening draws on.
In the village street he met M Faugue, the
schoolmaster who had taught him to read and
write some twenty years before. Then he met
with him and NJ NORM invited him to dinner
The women came out of the houses and greet
ed him. He was very happy. But it was only
when he was again in his own house that he
felt perfectly content.
Presently he went to dire with M. NORM.
After dinner the villagers came in to take
coffee. All had put on their Sunday clothes to
do him honor. They surrounded him and
questioned him. Very simply, without speak
ing of himself, he told them about the war
he had seen it. In the intervals of silence
could hear the night sounds Of the coun-
try; moths flew in through the open window
and lowered about the lamp.
There was knock on the door,
"Its the Ballus," said M. NORM
They entered. Guerin scarcely recognized
the two old people, so greatly had they
changed Pere Ballu, bent and Whitehead
walked with difficulty, supporting himself on
cane and lurchng his head forward Nine
Ballu seemed much shorter and thinner. Her
wrinkled hands trembled and in her dim eyes
there was an uncertain, frightened expression.
1--WE knew that you were here" Pere Balu
said to Guerin, "and so we came. We are
glad to see you, my boy
Nine. Balu sobbed and the old man con-
tinued:
"Now, Guerin, we want you to tell us-yes,
about son-about Antoine How was he
how was he killed? What did he do? We
speak about it, now. His mother and l,
we are-I can't say that are getting accus-
toned to our loss (that would be to le), but
for the last year-well, we can talk about it,
anyway. They have never told US anything.
We know that he is dead. That's all. Since
you with him you can tell us"-
The old man stopped, choked with emotion.
After painful silence he began again:
eve are brave; tell US. For that matter it
will console US. Antoine-there weren't many
like him-strong, courageous, adventurous,
and everything else. You others, you knew
him. 1t is the truth I am telling you. Then,
surely, he must have done some extraordinary
things. Tell 1t will do US good We shall
be prouder than ever of him when we know
the facts. SO tell US We want to hear
you
The two old people sat down. They fixed
their eyes on Guerin. Perhaps they asked
themselves why their own son wasn't there, in
place of this young man, who had no parents
Guern seemed embarrassed.
eve want to hear you" the old man re-
peated.
''Well, it was this way" Guerin began, with
great effort. at was about the end of Sep
TENDER, beautiful day. We were near
river-in the north
He stopped.
"And then what? What did Antoine do?
Don't be afraid to tell US. 1t will do US good
to know.
Guern still hesitated. But with the old
mans eyes fastened on him he came to de-
cison.
ut was this way. He was in the front line
with the others of his section-and machine
gun. They in a village 1t was neces-
sary to hold it. The Boches attacked There
was of them and our men fell one
after another.
He was left alone. He knew how to serve
the machine gun and he held the village for
quarter Of an hour We fired over him.
naturally but he held it with the gun. He
couldn't leave, because he had his Lieutenant
and some comrades with him, lying on the
ground. wounded. Besides, it was necessary
TO hold Then our troops advanced and
found him all alone with his mitraillcusc.
hat