New Britain herald., 1926-12-27

named Margaret and Elizabeth and nicknamed Rusty and Betty.
 America enters the World War and Jim Elwell enlists. Two nights before he leaves he discovers that one of the twins loves him and he in turn lives her. He tells his mother, but does not tell which one, because he wants her to love both of them the same in the event he does not return.
 Two months later he sails for France.
 NOW BEGIN THE STORY
 CHAPTER XIV
 The privileges accorded Jim El- well during the seven months fol- lowing his arrival in France were no different from those of a million other soldiers of Uncle Sam lover there" They entitled him to work, eat, sleep and drill in a cantonmcnt camp.
 For it was discovered very short iy after reaching France that the American army was an unprepared army.
 The first United States troops were landed in France in May and June of 1917. The first shot fired by any of them was on Oct. 21, four months after their landing.
 America's contribution to the World War divided itself roughly into three pA.ods, namely:
 The period between March and August of 1918, when the United States troops fought under French command at Cantigny and also be- tween Aug and Sept. 15, when Pershing organized the American First Army and led it to battle at St. Mihiel, and then that period be- tween St. Mihiel ana the Armistice, the campaign of the Meuse-Argonne.
 Hence it was that up until March of 1918 Jim found himself, along with something more than million other United States soldiers, playing the old watchful and waiting game of just looking on.'
 It was year after the United States had declared war that the first divisions were preparng flor the big American action described in official documents as the Aisne- Marne.
 It was the "Yanks" Division, to which Jim Elwell had been trans L'r1r n August of 1917. In May of 1918 eight active divisions had arrived. By that time Jim had again been transferred Decoration Day found him in billet with the Second Di- vision south of Beauvais. This di vision later was ordered to proceed to the Marne area.
 As they approached the Ourcq river the troops of which Jim FL well, buck private, was a part en- countered hundreds and thousands of refugees fleeing before the invad- ing hordes. Old men. women and children with such of their house. hold effects as they could pile into carts wheeling along in front of them or beside them. Some crying, others cursing, still others with stolid, expressionless faces.
 Remnants of the French Division, retiring after defeat, also were met. These waved to the advancing Americans, new hope in their eyes. Comrades" they called them.
 Private Perkins, late of Prince ton, said to Private Elwell, Poor fellows. They look all in"
 They've been through an awful time of it, T guess" Jim replied,
 "Well, we'll be there soon our selves I guess"
 June was tn eday on which the Second Division faced the Germans. Their line reached northward from the national highway and encircled the little village of Lucy e-Bocage, from that time on the center of the American sector Following is a de- scription of this sector, from Frank H. Slmmonds' history and maps of the World War:
 The Bois de Belleau, stretching before the larger portion of the front, constituted a con siderable area of dense woods which extended from the little brook just east of Lucy-le-Bocage northward to the highway running east from Torcy and forking just outside the village of Belleau. Beyond this fork one branch climbed the hills east of Belleau Wood and continueds sto