C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson

“ There was nothing left of Jussy but vague heaps of stone where streets had existed, and the astonishing remains of what a few weeks before had been a huge sugar distillery, among the most important of France. The evil magician of war had touched it with his fiery wand, and left a wild whirlpool of twisted girders rising high against the sky in iron waves, or writhing like rust-red snakes, over a pile of blackened bricks and nameless rubbish. But, though Jussy the town had been blotted out with all its industries, an extraordinary armed camp had sprung up on the outskirts of its ruin. ”

“ But the Germans came, and opened the vaults. What was worth taking, they took. The bodies they flung on the ground. Other bodies they dug up, to make place for German dead; and at their leisure they carved elaborate yet unconsciously grotesque monuments for their fallen officers. Then, by and by, the British appeared, and drove the "Huns" out of Nesle. When they found the cemetery littered with skeletons of French men and women and children, the Tommies were enraged. They could not be content with respectfully re-burying the scattered bones. ”

“ So thick were the trees overhead that we could see nothing, but the sound betrayed that the Taubes were two at least, and flying close to earth. As he spoke, the hidden cannon began to speak, but the enemy planes defied it. They seemed to know that there was prey, and could not decide to give up the chase.
"The beggars fly back and forth sometimes for half an hour," said our lieutenant, shrugging his shoulders. "We must have patience. But without being seen we can get into a convent the Germans burnt when they were tired of using it as their headquarters. ”

“ Besides, I suppose that shell bursting so near, and these Taubes we're playing hide and seek with, have set my nerves jumping. I feel worked up, as if I had to have some help."
"There's nothing could make me so happy as helping you," I said, and I caught her hands. "Nancy—dear Nancy—darling Nancy, you must have known since our first day, that I love you. ”

“ We gazed into each other's eyes.
"Into the car, please!" said our guide. "There's no time to run out of town. We can't race them. But there's a place of refuge close by. I think we can get there."
Without a word we did as we were told. The lieutenant sat beside Fawcett, showing him where to go. We whirled out of the forlorn wreck of street and turned into a narrow road or lane, arched over thickly with trees. "Stop!" said the officer. "We must hide here till the beasts give up the game. They will before long, if they think the place is empty. ”

“ We may get one any instant!" commanded our lieutenant. Fawcett obeyed, without the slightest change of countenance. Mother looked like a badly modelled statue of herself, in damp clay. Kate looked a pale Nile green, and might have been fashionable some years ago. Nancy's cheeks looked as if they had been struck light blows with a rouged haresfoot. As I met her eyes she smiled.
"I'm so pleased with myself because I didn't squeak, and because I'm not afraid," she said.
"Sh!" said Mother.
"Do you still wish to go to Chauny?" asked our guide. "There will be no bombs there, only Taubes. ”

“ Everyone who blows along wants to have a look round, and we couldn't let the Americans get away from us. They've gone to Roye and Nesle and Ham and Coucy-le-Château to-day. To-morrow they'll be at Noyon till it's time to come here; and the two nights they spend at Compiègne."
(No wonder we had not been able to find rooms in the hotel! But I didn't grudge them to our new Allies) .
"They'll go crazy to find ladies in the château to receive them," he went on. And Nancy, far from appearing to think that result deplorable, promptly accepted the invitation in Mother's name as well as her own. ”

“ He was a lieutenant in the army, and that made it seem worse. I called him a bad name. I called him a coward. I reckon a man never forgives that, does he? Not that I wanted to be forgiven, I didn't! I'm telling about him only to prove that being 'in love' is over for me. Besides—I couldn't help thinking of him since ail our American boys have been pouring into France. And to-day"—she printed to the moss-rose which someone had gathered in the garden, and laid at the feet of the Virgin—the Virgin who had Nancy's face—"to-day that brought him to my mind, just as if I'd seen his photograph. ”

“ The silence of the place was complete. Nothing lived but ourselves. Instinctively we talked in whispers, standing before a blackened travesty of a house whose garden blazed with roses. Then we became conscious of another whisper. ”

“ And I don't hear those Taubes now. The chances are we shall get back safe and sound, at the château to-night—in time for dinner. I wish I could decide before I meet those Americans! The sight of boys from home might make me weaken."
"Why not toss a coin?" I suggested. "But no, I forgot. You have three to decide between. Heads and tails aren't enough."
"I—almost—think Lord John is off," said she. "People might say I married him for his title."
I WORE a spade guinea in my waistcoat pocket, despite Mother's protests against hoarding gold. This I displayed under Nancy's eyes. ”

“ They only come in the hope of getting some distinguished visitors, such as yourselves,"—he bowed to Mother and Nancy. "They expect to bag our Poincare or your Lloyd George, or General Pershing some time. They did nearly bag the Americans yesterday. I didn't tell you that. But you may as well know it now. You see, they fly low, and a grey or khaki car in a street or new white road makes a good mark. They may drop a few bombs, but twenty to one they won't come near us. And you'll have the fun of hearing the anti-aircraft gun we've got under camouflage near by give them as good as they send." ”

“ One finds new sides of one's nature in a Castle of Dreams.
WE are back in England now, and everything seems to go on as if wt had never been to the front, or met the dear Minx, except that Kate has some new dresses, vaguely—and pathetically—resembling Nancy Mix's "style." Also she powders her nose when it shines, and manicures her nails with pink powder that means well, but gets under the skin. ”

“ After this, for a few moments, there was a sort of firework competition of American slang; and out of it, on Hood's side, was forthcoming an invitation to dine and spend the night.
"The boys won't get back till day after to-morrow morning, even if they motor all to-morrow night, for things are pretty hot where they are—good copy!" he explained. "There's room and to spare here, and lots of food. By Jove, maybe the ladies'll help me entertain our American chaps (half a dozen officers) , who're coming from Compiègne to dine to-morrow evening! ”

“ I like each one best in certain ways. When I came over my first idea was to marry the British army—marry into it, I mean. It seemed a good way to begin Red Cross work. You see, I've lots and lots of money, I never told you how much. ”

“ Yesterday he had brought the American officers—splendid fellows, gentils garçons—within fifty yards of Coucy-le-château. Perhaps he would bring someone else to-morrow. What, then, was our decision? If we preferred.safety, he'd take us at once up to the observation summer house, built by Prince Eitel Fritz to gaze at St. Quentin and at Soissons. Then we could run back to Noyon on our way home.
"Where those American boys went we must go, or be cowards!" decided Nancy. "I'm not afraid! Are you?" ”

“ Henry Wayne the news that Nancy Mix had accepted an important invitation in her name.
There must have been something winning about the man, or something singularly tactful, for when Mother arrived, she was benign though moist. She had consented to "play hostess" for the officers, who would, she was convinced, prove To be members of her special American Public.
Her Sixth Step—Roye; Nesle; Ham; Jussy; Coucy-le-Château, Chauny ”

“ The British army doesn't really need me. The American Duchesses and Countesses are helping it like mad. I told Lord John I'd give him an answer when I got back to Paris. And it's very awkward saying no—what with the car, and all. ”