Evening star., 1927-09-01
THE EVENING STORY


odOr of rooms unaired behind the
house a we'll with dried moss covering
its bucket and rust giving to its chain
husky creak. Pete drank. buried
his head in the cool water, and then
he returned to the safer stiffness of
the house
The momentary squirt of a match
showed a peasant sitting room and
kitchen adjoining the family sIeeping
quarters. Pete threw himself on the
low, square bed. Bob Griffini Bob
Griffin Some day Pete would even
the scores. The bed was soft The
aching was easier now. Tired-dog
tired-sleep at last.
grating sound through the in
tense quiet of the countryside. Pete
sat on the edge of the bed. dazed and
startled. He must have been sIeepinz
hours. for the gray light of dawn
came through the crack in the solid
blind. The outside door was being
pushed open slowly. uncertainty. Then
in long shaft of light stood Bob
Griffin, his puffy face white and drawn,
his soft, overgrown body sagging in
it's every line Petes taut body relax.
ed slowly. Here was not an enemy.
not boche, but doughboy i'm trou.
bic. taking refuge in the abandoned
cottage.
Bob Griffin he called.
The man staggered and lifted his
arm as though to ward off a blow.
God. man, I'm not gonna to hurt
you! Sit down. Maybe / can dig uu
some grub"
Bob crossed the room drunkenly and
fell into chair by the dead Goals OF
that quickly quenched fire. He looked
IKE great sick mastiff whipped by
a TERROR.
Pete brought water from the well
and the man drank I'm grateful gulps.
Then he foraged for food and returned
with dried fruit and sour red wine.
Bob was asleep, however. and Pete
eating hungrily for the first time in
many hours, did not wake him. Then.
droWsy with the wine and still ex.
hausted, he himself slept again.
When Pete aWoke Bob was consum
ing the food left for him. AS Pete
looked at him his great body shook a,
though gripped by a chill.
XIII mer' he said. THAT must h
what you wanta do
Pete laughed with his throat. hu
the expression of his big, ugly face die
not change.
L know I did you dirt" Bob con
tinued. His eyes were feverish now
and red spots were on his round fuf
cheeks. You stood i'm my way al
school and l cheated to get ahead Of
you"
What's that when we're likely t,
die any minute?" Pete shrugged.
Il made it look like you stole thai
money from the bank" Bob muttered
as though talking to himself. IL wa.
scared to keep it. That's why / pu
1t back. They still think it was YOU
nd ssx1 .stL
1t was strange that he no Longer
wanted to choke this creature until hii
tongue hung limp and his eyes bulged
How'd you happen to get here?'
he asked evenly.
Volunteered to go with the partI
sent TO look for you" Bob mumbled
Conscience maybe. Came on a buncl
Of the boche and l rant--left tn,
others
Pete leaped to his feet and glarei
at Bob Griffin.
Man" he beloved, "d'you know
what that means? Woulda been bet
ter II the bOche had gotten you
Two strides and Pete was at tn
door, field glasses to his eyes.
MY God.' he said. They're comm
now"
Something had to be done, some
thing quickly. Court martial, disgrace
for Bob. Bob trembling, cringing
For Pete dizziness. nausea, almos
blackness. his revolver hard in hi
hand. There was no time TO lose
Steadier now rlow the shoulder.
must be a sure wound. not fatal. Tn,
sharp report, the flare of fire. Bol
lay on the floor. Dead-God. no.
tainted. The emergency kit Th
wound must be dressed 1t must lool
as though it had not just happened
Feverish, hectic moments, Pete work
ing IN frenzy. The men at the door
! Bob opening his eyes, groaning.
Those are the ones / was with,
| he muttered.
Keep your mouth shut" ordere,
Pete Taylor.
We're looking for you. Taylor. am
for skunk that ran." announced TIN
sergeant.
you'd better help me get this fe.
low back to the lines" Pete replied
He left bunch of scouts when h.
saw another boche comm from be
hind. The damn boche got him il
the shoulder before he could lay hin
low. When he came to he was lyir
across dead man behind clump o
bushes. Musta dragged himself mill
before l found him and brought hin
here. LOoka that shoulder / fixed tn,
best / could. Guess he can trave
now"
well, I'll be damned" muttere,
the sergeant sheepishly
THE END.
Copyright 1877
-s----