d




"ONE OF THE SOLDIERS WITH A SPEAR PIERCED HIS SIDE"




VIII

The Broken Hearted


"I'll get that man if I die for it," said the soldier. "He's found the
one position in the lines from which he can fire into our trenches."

"It's easier said than done," remarked his comrade, "and the minute you
cross that spot you come within his range. He'll put a bullet through
you before you can level a rifle or press a trigger."

"I'll not go that way," said the man.

"What is your plan?"

"You know that salient yonder on the right? I'm going out of the trench
there."

"When?"

"Now. I'll wrap myself in white. That little run of coppice will cover
me until I get within a few feet of him, then I'll have to chance it."

"Wish I could help you, old man. I'd like to get that man. He's shot six
of the best fellows in the company and--"

"You can help me by making a diversion to attract his attention. Keep
him looking at that alley."

A few moments later the soldier shrouded in white crept out of the
trench and noiselessly rolled down the slope to the bushes. The snow was
deep on the ground. There was no touch of color about the soldier. He
even thrust his rifle under the linen in which he had wrapped himself.
Outside the shelter of the trenches the wind blew with terrific force.
It was terribly cold. He had discarded his overcoat for freedom of
motion. Only his indomitable resolution kept him alive. He locked his
jaws together to keep his teeth from chattering. The ice-covered snow
under his bare hands almost blistered the flesh as he crept along.

He intended to use the bayonet. If he shot the man he was stalking alarm
would be given and he would be riddled with bullets before he got back.
He was willing to give a life for a life if it were necessary, but he
was reluctant to do so if it could be avoided. Cold steel would be
better. Cold steel! He smiled grimly. It would need some hot blood to
take the chill off the bayonet at the end of his rifle.

Slowly, almost hold

William Babington Maxwell (18661938) was a British novelist. He was a son of novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon. Though nearly 50 years old at the outbreak of the First World War, he was accepted as a lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers and served in France until 1917.

Cyrus Townsend Brady (December 20, 1861 January 24, 1920) was a journalist, historian and adventure writer. His most well-known work is Indian Fights and Fighters. He was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1883. He was also a deacon in the Episcopal church. His first wife was Clarissa Guthrie, who died in 1890. His second wife was Mary Barrett.

Rebecca Sophia Clarke (1833-1906), also known as Sophie May, was an American author of childrens fiction. Using her nieces and nephews as inspiration, she wrote realistic stories about children. She wrote 45 books between 1860 and 1903. The most popular being the Little Prudy books. She lived most of her life in her native town of Norridgewock, Maine, where she lived out her life with her sister, who was also a successful author.