Evening star., 1928-10-17
THE EVENING STORY

Saved my life. Of course. and I
ought to thank you. But don't be-
lieve I do. Doesn't seem worth while.
Have to lie here and clench my teeth
for a day or two, then be shook of to
a hospital for cutting and perhaps
be able to take part OF me away.
What's in it?"
Country, humanity" promptly Every
ounce in us, you know. Maybe you can
get enough away from the hospital to
stop a bullet from better man. Who
knows? We've both done a little some
thing. it seems, an we're both men
enough to clench our teeth for more
work. even il it's only to make pin
cushions of our bodies to hold frag-
ments of burstin' she'll"
The other groaned. then started an
acquiescing laugh, which was cut short
by a spasm of pain.
Right you are" he gasped. We'll
go back for another bit. And I'm
obliged"
A light burst directly overhead which
sent its glare down into the trench.
Heads that were accommodating above
the bank dropped quickly to escape the
distant fire of the enemy. Hod had
turned his face up and the glare fell
upon it. His companion uttered a sur
prised exclamation.
"Houghton Burrows! I've been look
ing for you"
For me?"
Hod tried to peer into the others
face. But after the bright glare the
darkness was blacker than ever.
I'm Harnet-the foorwalker. you
know. You talked with me-about
Elizabeth-and-"
'Harnet! Then why are you here?"
Rf
others for this work. Why'd you leave
her? Did she know it? Did she let
you Gomez"
Told me to, but was coming, any
way. 1t was a mistake-on your part
I was merely little dot in her friend
ship. You are the whole world in her
love. OF course, she didn't hint that,
but could see. Nor did she suggest
try to find you. took that on my
self. And if you had been there Eliza
beth would have sent you If you didn't
start yourself. She is that way now
full of patriotism. She has grown very
Cross Society. But through it ALL un-
der it all, beyond it all, she is looking
for you. I know. And Burrows"-an
inSiStent earnestness in his voice-"I
may come out of this and may not.
think I shall, to do another bit, as
you say. But whether I do or not,
want you to promise to 60 back to
Elizabeth when they no longer need
you here. feel that have done you
both wrong. unconsciously, and I want
to do a little toward making it right.
You'll go back?" t,1r"
A terrific storm of shell came from
the enemy's batteries, seeking out what
the search rockets had revealed. Big
chunks of bank were crumbled here
and there. half filling adjoining
trenches. One shell burst over a store
OF ammunition and was followed by d
deafening explosion, with dirt hurled
so feet into the air. When it settled
down there was no trench below.
Hod was beneath q crumbling bank,
but not so deep but that he worked
from under. Then he dug out his COM
panion. For half an hour the uproar
went on, then came lull. The enemy
was about to make a dash to complete
what the shelling had left. Hod bent
his mouth to Harnet's ear.
If / get through it," he promised,
II will go home. And I will tell her
about you. Now clench your teeth
again, for must lift you up on the
bank and then throw you across my
shoulders. In 10 minutes the butchers
will be here to kill whatever Is alive
The next day intrepid Red Cross men
found them. and they were taken to a
hospital. More shell was in them, and
Hod lost an arm. Harnet recovered.
with the use of all his limbs and re-
turned to the front. Capt. Hod was
sent home-to Elizabeth.
The End.
(Copvrirht fqoal