New Britain herald., 1927-06-18

before he realized how his teetl
 were chatterins. The rain, cold
 damp. had gone through to hi skin.
 CHAPTER XXXV France At Iast Finally the regiment was draw up 1t rest" Phillip shifted hi pack and rested.
 Attention company. Forward march,"
 They started. No one knew fol where. or when they were going tt stop.
 There were rumors of . res, camp. Phil hoped 1t were true, fol the motion of tho boat never Aeem. ed quite 50 terrible all tho way cross the Atlantic as now he was or land. He thought his legs would moi hold him up any longer. He could not see where he was sloshina around in the mist which had thick ened in tho gathering darkness. He plodded on with tho rest, however, dog tired. and no one seemed tc have enough energy left in him to even swear at his plight.
 It was very late whom they reached a low stone building before which they were halted. The 1ud seemed deeper than any they had yet passed through.
 Lieut.. Andrews-someway, 1t gave Phil . little comfort that he too must be damnably uncomfortable tried the door. It was locked. The lieutenant went away and soon re- turned
 Attention. Just a moment, mon. We can no. go in until we are ex- amined for contagious diseases."
 There was a series of long sroans. bursts of profanity and vulEarity. as the men submitted.
 It was five o'clock in the morni;.g 6 before tired medical captain open ed the door of the barracks.
 Rain, mud, stencil. dirt. disgust ing medical examinations and the camp routine cay after day.
 They called 1t rest camp" but rever had Phil worked SO hard at any time since he had been in the army ....
 It was only after sundown-from seven until nine-that sitting at iron-lesged tables placed on the sidewalks. one caught at least | ghost of the spirit of France.
 One day. while walking about the town. he saw standing in the door way of small peasants cottage, . comfortable looking woman about forty-five years of age.
 He asked her in French "how the day went with her." and she. de- lighted to fave found an American who could speak her language. made him come in. sit in the lest chair, while she put before him some bread and small bottle of red wine.
 Every day after that found him at the cottage.
 The woman asked him innumer- able questions about the wonderful country that had sent its sons over seas to fight for France.
 Sometimes he brought Rod with him and one day they found place near by where they could bathe in a kind of pool.
 The woman washed his shirt and underwear and when she was sure that Phil had plenty of money. ehe managed in some way to add eggs and chicken to help out his goats milk cheese, his French bread and his wine.
 Hc had not heard from his or Natlee since he left. He could not understand 1t. and finally he turned away when he knew the mail was to be distributed. He was as well as inexpressibly unhappy that he did not get any thing from back home.
 At last one morning Rod came Q him and whispered, "I think we're going Up right away"
 He tried to persuade Rod to go with him to the peasants cottage and celebrate for the last time. but as Rod was on duty, he stole out alone to have one final meal at the of the woman who had been so kind 10 him.
 He ate and drank with more pleasure than he lad when he first tasted her goats milk cheese, French bread and wine.
 Shyly she brought him a bowl of delicious onion soup. saying she had heard that day the regiment was soon to be ordered to the front. and she pressed into his hand a tiny amulet of Saint Joseph. ITO keep from you. the bullets of the Boche."
 Don't worry about me. madame" he said. Ut will not mean 50 much to me that I am kept from the bullets of the Roche. as that am kept from your good food"
 All the time he was talking to he was saying 10 himself that he had not a qualm of fear-that the was looking 1Ol "dIu to HSAH6 lV NAC front.
 There were tears in the eyes of madame as she kissed him on both cheeks and bnde him goodbye. For the mother and the sweetheart in she kissed him.
 Phil had told her much about them, and as he had not yet lost much of his sentiment. although he thought he had-he stood np and saluted while they drank to them both so far across the sea.
 Walking out. he left all the money he had in his pockets. on the table. and this time 1t was he who kissed her on both cheeks.
 That night he wrote both to his mother and to Natlee. asking each to comfort the other while he was away.