The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-09-09

horSSAneu pTeceueu tn6 appearance or
the monster, and these scourges of the
earth. Conquest, War. Famine and
Death, were beginning their mad, des-
olating' course over the heads of terri
fed humanity.
Julio. being an Argentinian, was ex-
empt from military service and had
hoped to continue his life as though
nothing were happening. His inamo-
rata, however, from a woman infatu.
ated with dress. was gradually trans
formed by her desire 60 serve. The
war had made her ponder much on the
values of life, and her sense of duty
to the husband whom she so greatly
wronged sent her back to his side when
she heard that he had been severely
wounded. To Julio she said, "You
must leave me Life is not what
we have thought It. Had 1t not been
for the war we might, perhaps, have
realized our dream, but nowi
For the remainder Of my life / shall
carry the heaviest burden, and yet az
the same time, 1t will be sweet, since
the more It weighs me down the great
er will my atonement be-"
The yanquished lover said good-by
to Love and Happiness, but this re
pulse gave him new impetus to I'LL
the vacuum of his empty existence.
When Paris was threatened and
refugees told of the wholesale sackings
of their homes, Don Marcelo began to
fear for his castle. and went to VILE
blanche, arriving In time to witness
the discouraged exhaustion of the
French army's retreat. Closely follow
Ing were the invading Germans shout
ing joyously, mach Paris |"
Villeblanche became the camping
ground for a regiment and Its bewil-
dered proprietor was subjected to In
Vulnerable indignities, saw his most
choice possessions looted and was the
powerless witness to the murder of
prominent civilians of the village. Al
young officer arrived who introduced
himself as Captain Otto Won Hartrott.
He explained with true German cal
lousness the ruin and plumber of his
uncle's castle by saying to him, cit is
war We have to be very ruth
less that 1t may not last long. True
kindness consists in being cruel, be-
cause then sthe terror-stricken enemy
gives In sooner, and so the world suf-
fers less"
For four days Don Marcelo lived
through a period of stupefaction
slashed by the most horrible visions.
The village was reduced to mass of
ruins before his eyes, and his house
hold suffered unspeakably from the
bestiality of the carouslng officers. A
war hospital was established on the
estate, but moved on under the stress
of battle, though the banner of the
Red Cross remained to deceive the
French about the artillery which was
installed In the park. When French
airplane discovered this piece Of
treachery Don Marcelo found himself
in the heart of furious battle. The
cannonading of the Germans and the
bursting of French shells terrified him
until at last he saw at the foot of the
highway near his castle several of the
attacking columns which had crossed
the Marine. They rushed forward I'M
moved by the deadly fire of the Ger
mans, and he realized his beloved
French were driving back the Teuton
horde.
Only ruins of his once beautiful es-
tate were now left to him and he said
farewell to Villeblanche. After his
return to Paris young soldier Of the
infantry called to see him. It was his
son Julio, never so distinguished look
ing as in this rough, ready-made uni
form. Their reconciliation was COM
plete.
With his son on the battlefield Don
Marcelo lived through months of anx-
ious suspense. Through the influence
of friend he was able to see the
young hero. 1t was a tortuous journey
through the zigzags and curves Of the
trenches, while bullets buxzed like
horsefiies through the air, and on
through dark galleries and subterra-
mean Notifications until he reached tine
outer intrenchment line.
Desnoyers hardly recognized his son
on account of his changed appearance,
but In spite of his hard life Julio had
found content in comradeships such as
he had never known. For the first time
in his life he was tasting the delight
of knowing that he was useful being.
As his father left him, hope sang m
his ears. mo one will kiln him- My
heart which never deceives me tells
me so"
Julio became sergeant, then suhr
lieutenant and for his exceptional
bravery received the Croix de Guerre,
the military medal, and finally was
among those proposed for the Legion
d. Honneur. One afternoon during the
Champagne offensive. Desnoyers, stiia
cherishing the fond illusions OF hope,
49, ri In tsN