The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1945-02-15
No Medal
By GEORGE EKAHAU
Mcclure syndicate-wNU Features.

A NDREWS was gone. We got the
L news from the c. O., Tex and
/, standing in the sticky Italian heat
while the colonel looked us over
"You two were his buddies.' he
said. "You should have some idea
where to locate him. Get him. And
remember. the general is to deco
rate him at $500 hours. I don't pre-
tend to know what made him skip
like this, but try to keep him from
making this outfit the laughingstock
of the army" He handed e a
requisition. Take a jeep, and buzz
it,"
He woulda thought this over
Tex said, his eyes on the road. jest
naturally bein' careful, he wouldn
stow away in a truck, KNOWN the
M.P.s would get him quickest that
way"
so we gotta be mind readers
and figure what he plans?"
Yeah" He squinted into the dust
ahead. That village on the side OF
the mountain beyond Aretulia, I dis
remember its name. but l know
how to get there. He has a pal there
would hide him out for a few days
so maybe we ought to figure how
come he wants to hide and have
some nasty explaining to do when
he's in line for a gonging, he being
a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. pub
lie hero"
Tex grunted. Reckon l know all
about why he wants to stall this
off. and so do you If you'll churn
your sawdust a little. I wish he
coulda done better than this, but
now l reckon the thing to do is fetch
him back before he gets into worse
trouble"
A big black-browed technical ser.
geant in this little half-ruined town
didn't like US as visitors at all. III
you are Andy's sidekicks you should
know enough to let him alone" he
told US. "All he wants is to lie doggc
for a few days"
Tex scratched his left ear. How
long Is it till his birthday"
Ten days. Can't va just 60 look
somewhere else?"
I'VE just wanna talk to him." Tex
said. Il hate to see him in a fix
when he don't need to be-"
Andy was in the storeroom, be-
hind supply boxes. If you're pal:
you haven't seen me-" he said.
Tex clucked. He can't take it,
says he to me. Zone of these guy:
who a get so hoped up in a bat
tie he can shut his eyes and still
60 knockin' over enemies. But wher
it comes to standin' up and takin
credit for their wild ways in pub
lie, they can't take it. Got to rul
and hide"
"Oh, yeah?" Andy lared. Don
hand me that. You know it's be
cause I'm under age. Heck, I'd TAX
a chance, now I'm this far, but tn
general happens to know me. Ono
he gets a load Of my pan he'l
savvy right away that something
ishy. Then he'll investigate. Aw. n
medals worth that. I'd rather duel
this time. if it gives me the chance
to stick around long enough so
can 60 in again with you mugs O.
the next push. instead Of being sen
home"
That's jest it, Andy" Tex said
They already know about you. The!
aim to let it ride until you get you:
brass. Right now you're booked out
The only thing is, do you 60 al
clear with an honorable discharge
or the other way? Kid. I hate Il
see you do this to yourself. Will 20,
come back with us?"
Andy looked mighty low. Il
that's the way it is. I nigh
as we'll"
We made it with about two sec
onds to spare. Tex kept stealing
looks at the generals face. How
come you knew so much about then
finding out about Andy?" I asked
You know we been guarding tina
secret for months, and there wa!
not even a peep of a rumor."
lone of those critters they call
white lie. l knew well enough
they'd be diggin' into his record
find him, bust him and send hin
back before the time is up. I'm
gamblin' on the generals bein' g
certain kind of Teller"
They began to read Andy's cita,
ton. The general pinned on the
medal and shook him by the hand
He was smiling. ANDREWS. your
face is darned familiar, your
name too. Haven't l seen you
prowling my yard on the end of a
lawn mower?"
Yes, sir"
i've been looking up your rec,
ord, Andrews. Always do before
giving a decoration. Seems to me
you must be a little young to be
here until your next birthday. An
l right"
Andy swallowed. Yes, sir"
when is this birthday"
I'm ten days, SIR"
sGO~,, 81 ----- 80 AZ,