Montana oil and mining journal., 1938-11-12

desk. At last he produced a slip oi
paper and a pair Of chevrons, each Of
which bore the six stripes. that denote
a regimental sergeant major in the
| United States army.
/ The old man renewed his study OF
the ceiling and spoke softly to himself
''The sentry didn't take up this here
pass that I used to go to Brest, and
the date on it amt very clear. sup
pose if somebody was to steal 1t and
change the date and write in their
own name-and if that somebody, was
wearing six stripeS-well, I don't think
the M. P.'s would bother him, II he
got back before six o'clock"
A great silence pervaded the SER
geant majors office as the old man
rose and strolled over to the window.
When he returned the desk was bare.
Paper and chevrons had vanished
Sergeant Bennett rose with a bright
smile. ut was awfully good Of you
to listen to my troubles" he said
smoothly. II can see now that there
is nothing you can do, but if things
work out well, I'd like to have you
meet Yvonne."
The old man stood silent while ro-
nance wrestled again with duty in
his innermost soul. Romance tri-
umphed and he spoke once more. you
know. son, think III get me a pass
at post headquarters and go down to
Brest tomorrow. think I'll try to
catch ride Just outside the main
gate along about noon"
Tracy Bennett studied him for a
long minute.
what would you do, Sarge" he
asked at last, "if you we're to meet
somebody whom you thought was
wearing an insignia or using a pass
to which he was not entitled?"
The old man scowled. I've been In
the army long enough to learn to tend
to my own businessw he snapped. Il
don't meddle with nobody's passes, un-
less I'm sergeant Of the guard and
don't go around asking non-commis-
stoned officers to show me their war
rants to prove they are entitled TO
the stripes they are wearing unless,
Of course, I'm on duty. When I'm on !
pass amt on duty"
well, I hope TO see you soon, Ser
geant," laughed Tracy Bennett and !
oreezed out whistling.
It was midnight and the French !
seaport was in utter darkness, except |
Tor the twinkling street lights. Be-
meath each lamp in the downtown
section there stood q gun-belted,
Shaki-colored figure, upon whose left
arm shone a bright red brassard.
In turn, each stepped back at
-egular intervals, as huge tarpaulin-
covered trucks rumbled by. shutting
,ternally between Camp Pontanezen
md the docks. Nobody else seemed
tirring, except for a quiet rustic deep
within dark doorway half way up
he Rue de Siam. There two American
soldiers exchanged their whispers
"a helluva mess you've got me into"
lgonized the sergeant major. Me
With q years serVice-overstayin my
lass and lodging M. P.'s like a kid
ecruit."
4 couldn't help it, if her train was
ate, could ~" responded Sergeant
Bennett bitterly. Il told you to go
'ack to camp and I'd wait for her
myself"
aYeh, you'd have waited by your
elf You'd have been picked up in
he first half hour without me. You
leen dizzy ever since we left Pom
anezen. Why, If hadn't stuck around
D show you how to duck the M. P.'s,
OIL wouldn't have even seen your girl
-let alone had the chance to talk
0 her. You'd have breezed right up
0 her there In the gare' right In
ront Of the r. T, o. Anyhow, kept
va AAbAu AO4A46 bA4At anu LODA gOA
afe down to her house"
II know, Sarge" replied Tracy Ben
EFT, IN be in debt to you all my life.
hats why didn't resent it when
'vonne kissed you"
The sergeant majors throat rumbled
''You didn't seem to mind It, either,
noticed" added Tracy wickedly.
The sergeant major cleared his
lroat and spoke deliberately:
shes a nice daKne-a very nice
ame," he said ponderously. Il can
aderstand why you insisted on wait
g till she got back. It was Just tough
ok that the train was so late, but
e should have started back to camp
ng ago. We could Of hoofed 1t and
aybe run the guard II we could Of
Il back before reveille, but I'm afraid
8 too late now. don't know what
: can do"
aCh. God win look after us" OBJ
rved Tracy airily. Hes been on my