!"

There was a cheer so spontaneous about this Irishman, whose very genius
for happiness had lightened many a heavy burden, that his mount began
to shake with laughter; whereupon Tim, in spite of a wound that pained
grievously, grinned down at him.

"Laugh away, ye fat-headed Fritz," he said. "But don't go tryin' to buck
me off, or 'tis Tim Doreen'll crack yer periscope--bein' as he's settin'
on it! Jeb, ye've two spare ar-rmy mules--let thim bring in all the
rifles, like a good lad!"

They had gone but a little way when Tim caught the German by the ear,
saying:

"Gee-haw, ye beggarly Boche! Turn 'round, an' take me to the boss av
this job!"--but, as the prisoner did no more than flinch, he called
back: "Jeb, order this outcast to halt, whilst ye come up to us!"

When this had been accomplished through the interpreter, and the two
friends were moving side by side, the sergeant asked:

"D'ye think there's no fear av this divil understandin' God's language?
Thin, I've a mind to ask w'ot's come over ye, lad--but ye mustn't be
takin' it amiss! Ye know thot whin I saw ye last, ye wasn't w'ot I'd
call love-sick for a scrap!"

"Tim," he answered, in an awed voice, "it was the sight of those
children!"

"The childer, ye say! Thim w'ot's forinst us?"

"Yes. They did it! God, but they were a terrible sight to see--it sort
of made me crazy!"

"'Tis a Christian kind av insanity, lad," the sergeant mused. "I hope
ye'll be havin' a domn fine lot av it!"

Thus, when the low-lying moon flooded the dressing-station quadrangle,
Jeb, with fourteen prisoners, nine wounded comrades and three little
citizens from the "empire of death," was challenged by lookouts of a new
regiment that had arrived during the night to occupy the old front line
trench. The next minute cheers were ringing from a thousand throats.

Crossing the narrow bridge Tim, though weak from pain, yelled:

"Sind a squad after us, lads, an' ye can have our mules whin they're
unloaded!"

* * * * *

Dr. Bonsecours had turned with a sigh of relief from the last of his
cases and stepped outside for a breath of air, when the sound of
cheering reached him.

"There is some good news," he called to Marian, who came and stood
nearby, listening. Yet, even at that moment, his thoughts were of her,
and he turned, saying gently: "You must rest; I really insist upon it!
If you don't, I--I shall break down, myself."

She looked at him s