ry. She passed her cottage half-way down the hill. It was still
standing, but a shell had dropped on the little goat-shed and blown it
to pieces. One of the uprights and the door, which was made of stout
branches lashed together with cord, still stood. The door flapped
drearily and added to the desolation of the scene.

Lucia did not stop to investigate the damage, but hurried ahead. She
was afraid the light would fade before she reached the wounded soldier.

At the end of the road in the bottom of the valley she was just between
both sides, the shells dropped all about her and she stood still,
bewildered and frightened.

The high mountains on either side made sounding boards for the noise,
and the roar of the guns seemed to double in volume.

"Lie down!"

A voice almost under her foot made her jump, and she saw the Italian
soldier. She did as he commanded, and he pulled her towards him.

He was very weak, and when he moved one leg dragged behind him. He
tried to crawl with Lucia into the shell hole close by. She saw what
he was doing and did her best to help. When they finally rolled down
into the shell hole, the man groaned.

Lucia could feel that his forehead was wet with great drops of
perspiration. She found his water bottle and gave him a drink.

"What's happened?" he asked, speaking close to her ear.

Lucia told him as much as she knew.

"Then the bridge has gone?" There was hope in his voice.

"Gone for good. They can never cross it, and our men are just over
there."

"How can I get you back?" she asked. "The convent is so far away."

The soldier shook his head. "You can't. We are caught here between
the two fires, it would be certain death to move. What made you come
back?"

"To find you," Lucia replied. "I could not come sooner, there was so
much to do. I even forgot you, but when I remembered, I ran all the
way and now I am helpless."

"Don't give up," the Italian replied. "You must have courage for both
of us, for I am useless. My leg has been badly injured by a piece of
shell, and I cannot even crawl."

"Then there is nothing to do but wait for the light," Lucia was
trembling all over. "Oh, what a long day it has been!"

"But the dawn will come soon," the soldier tried to cheer her, "and
then perhaps the stretcher-bearers will find us. If they do not--"

"If they do not, I will find a way to take you to the convent," Lucia
replied with sudden spirit, and with the