Evening star., 1938-02-20
Mosozine Section


chesne's brandy and water into poison suffi-
cient to kill a platoon of men.
''Now swill that, you swine," he whispered
to himself as he rose to his feet. "And then
squat in hell and watch Adele and me-"
His next words were, Good evening" my
friend" as he walked into the mess, nodded to
Duchesne, and seated himself opposite him at
the trestle table,
Without other reply, Georges Duchesfle
nodded coldly, rose at once to his feet, and re-
tired to his tent
He had had a very firing day.
What about spot of cognac? Very hearten-
ing to weary man, and Adele wouldn't mind
in the circumstances She had only wanted him
to keep off brandy for month, just to show
that he could do it and because he had perhaps
been going it bit. One did, when in garrison.
Nothing else to do in hole like Oraba. Besides,
the month was very nearly up, and what she
had really meant was month in Oraba.
No, she wouldn't want to hold him to it now
he was on active service again, and needed it
quite as much as he wanted it.
Captain Georges Duchesne removed boots
and tunic lay down on his ground sheet and
blanket, yawned, struck match, reached for
his btdon and pulled out the stopper.
All, now, after nearly month without
single taste. But no. Ought he to do it? He had
given her his word, and they never broke their
word to each other when they had given it
seriously. They never told each other any lies.
They never cheated.
But the month was so nearly up. Conditions
had changed, and Adele would be the first to
tell him to have drink before he lay down to
sleep. No. No, he wouldn't If there were only
a day or two more to 60, so much the more
reason for letting the month run out COM
pletely.
No, he'd do by Adele what Adele would un-
doubtedly do by him. Keep his word. He
wouldn't touch cognac until the month had
expired. Damn it ALL he had as much self-oon-
troll as Mussulman sharpshooter of the trail
leurs Algeriens who, throughout the month of
Ramzan would touch neither food nor water
between sunrise and sunset, though their
tongues were black with thirst
Captain Duchesne thrust the stopper back
into the water bottle, put it down beside him,
lay back and fell asleep.
A>SAI Ooys "SoAAJ N00SAAS At dAS ASo0 Va
his company, he rounded turn in the noun
tain goat track and came upon little group
by the edge of the deep ,oadi, men about a re-
cumbent officer lying silent and still with closed
eyes,
What was this? Had sniper got him. as he
marched in front of his men?
Halo! 1t was Captain Mallieu! Nodding to
his adjudant marching beside him, Duchesne
turned aside, thrust through the little group
and asked what had happened.
Mule kicked him, mon Cabitaiue," replied
sergeant, who was rendering such first aid as
he could. "Fell with him and then kicked him
on the head as it struggled up. But it is moth
ing. Absolutely nothing. No fracture whatever.
The Captain is only knocked out. He'll be all
right in minute"
And apparently the sergeant was right, for
Mallieu's eyelids f1ickered as the man ceased
to speak, his hands moved, and he drew up
his feet
Georges Duchesne took collapsible alumi-
mum cup from the side pocket of his tunic, and
filled it from his bidon.
Mallieu opened his eyes, frowned, stared
about him, and the sergeant raised him to a
sitting position. whats this?" he asked. still
dazed and stupid from the blow.
Duchesne held the cup to Mallieu's lips.
Mallieu drank greedily And, a few moments