CONCLUSION
Two days later a couple of rather spruce looking young men alighted
from an eastern train in Paris and, strolling forth in the crowd of
passengers, looked about them rather curiously.
Both had passed through the French capital before, but more as
strangers and foreigners than as ally Americans, visiting a city famed
as the center of all that is best in French history and tradition.
"Looks much like little old New York," remarked Buck, "only I don't see
so many skyscrapers."
"I like that!" said Blaine. "I never did fall in love with fifty-story
shacks that seem to resent the sunlight down here below. I wish Stan
could be with us, don't you?"
"Yep! But I bet he's satisfied with the nursing he's getting off that
pretty Chicago girl we left him with. What we better do? Wait for
something to happen?"
"'Looks that way. Our wire said for us to wait at the depot." And
Blaine, looking curiously around, happened to be turned the wrong way
when a uniformed porter came up to Bangs, touched his cap and said:
"Pardon, messieurs, but will you come with me?" And be presented a
card upon which was engraved the name of Senator Walsen. Under this
was hastily penciled in a feminine hand: "We are waiting. Please follow
the porter." That was all.
Buck, slightly confused, tugged at Blaine's sleeve, saying:
"Come on! They're waiting for us - somewhere."
With a start of surprise Blaine obeyed, and each bearing his hand-bag,
they set out dumbly after the station official who had already picked
up a couple of suit-cases.
For a minute or more they threaded the mixed throngs of civilians,
officials, soldiers of all grades and many nationalities, together with
trainmen, guards, gendarmes and what not, to a line of waiting cabs,
taxies, motor-cars just beyond a series of high iron gates. At one of
these a sentry, together with a railway official, examined their
tickets, and more important still their passes or permits. After this,
both sentry and guard, respectfully saluting, stood aside and the
porter took them to a big gray limousine drawn up near by. A uniformed
driver sat in front, while the porter placed the luggage in a rear rack
and climbed up behind himself.
All this was comparatively unnoticed, for the door opened and two
lovely faces peered out as the young men came up.
Just then Blaine felt unduly conscious of one or more court-plastered
places upon his cranial anatomy, while Buck felt that a wound or two on
arm and neck somehow detracted from his natural freedom of movement.
And yet neither had given the matter a thought before. These were the
chances of war. Chances with ladies, however, were just then much more
important.
But the two young women, charmingly dressed, were all smiles and
cordiality.
"You will excuse father, won't you?" lisped Andra, while both made way
inside the tonneau for the two to enter. There they were eagerly
greeted by no less a personage than Orris Erwin, also on leave, who
shook bands heartily.
In the tonneau were two seats, each roomy enough for three. As the car
started on, all chatting eagerly, Avella supplemented Andra's remark
with:
"Papa had to attend some kind of a war meeting at Versailles. He
deputized us to welcome you., Mr. Erwin insisted oncoming, too."
"Why, this is great, great!" enthused Blaine, his awkwardness all gone
under the cordiality of this greeting. "I always wanted to get leave,
you know. So did Buck. Orry seems to have got in ahead on the leave
business."
He grinned at Erwin, but Andra put in with:
"Well, we're all on leave only, aren't we, Mr. Erwin?"
"You gir -- you ladies, too?" essayed Bangs, while Erwin nodded.
"Why, yes. We're enlisted in the Red Cross, you know, and they're so
strict about letting us off. But we, too, got our ten days. It will
give us time to show you boys about the city a bit. And we're so glad
you got back safe and are in time. Besides, tonight is going to be the
big time for you boys."
"You are right, Vella." Andra smiled roguishly. "Mr. Erwin has been
so curious. He's always wanting to know."
Clearly something was up, but recognizing that good manners were now a
point to be duly considered, the young men managed to conquer their
curiosity and confine their attention to other not less agreeable
things.
They motored out to the Walsen residence, near the American Embassy,
and were ensconced with Erwin in a suite of apartments much superior to
what they had been used to of late.
The day passed. Senator Walsen returned. With him was the American
Ambassador and a stout, elderly, yet martial looking man, already one
of the most famous of the high Marshals of France, and now well known
in the United States.
There was a dinner of state that evening, to which not only these three
aviators were invited, but also various other French and Americans who
had more or less distinguished themselves.
At the hour appointed no less a personage than the President of the
French Republic, with several of his leading supporters also came.
Altogether some twenty or more were assembled in the Walsen
drawing-room just before the dinner hour.
Somewhat nervous, yet hopeful, our youngsters carefully prepared
themselves for what Bangs confessed was "a blame sight more trying than
any of the Boche scrimmages we have tackled of late."
"You are making mountains out of mole-bills; you know you are." Andra
and Avella were smiling now, both doubly charming in their new Red
Cross gowns.
As a matter of fact all three lads in their clean, trim aviation
uniforms presented both a manly, martial and genteel appearance. At
the last moment in came Captain Byers just in from the front; and with
him was Stanley, pale and rather thin, yet surprisingly strong,
considering his severe experiences. Miss Daskam was not there, but if
one had looked closely at Stanley's pockets, the edge of a small photo
of that young lady might have peeped out. Most likely this would have
aroused Erwin's jealousy. Who knows?
When all were assembled and the usual round of introductions had been
gone through with, Senator Walsen rose, introducing the Marshal, and
concluding as follows:
"We not only love our French brothers-in-arms, but we know they love
us. Our distinguished leader here," indicating the Marshal, "'wishes
now to substantially prove this." And he gave way to the great
Frenchman, who motioned to our lads to stand up, and then proceeded to
pin on each young breast a cross of honor, bestowed for gallantry on
the west front.
Directly Captain Byers also came forward and read an order from our War
Department authorizing the General commanding our forces in France to
declare the following promotions:
Lafayette Blaine to be First Lieutenant in the new American Aviation
corps, Buck Bangs to be Second Lieutenant in same; and Orris Erwin and
George Stanley to be First Sergeants. Effect to be immediate. Also
furloughs granted to each for ten days at full pay.
Then the Marshal, whose command of English was limited, briefly yet
succinctly complimented them all, especially Captain Byers, who had
just come back from the line pressing the retiring enemy.
After that, of course, there was nothing to do but announce the dinner.
"How do you feel after all this?" curiously asked Andra Walsen of
Blaine while waiting for a succeeding course in the rather stately
march of the repast. "Do you feel good?"
"I always feel best when you are with me," he simply replied.
"Oh!" she replied, and there was unwonted color in her face as she
looked down at a rose he had given her, now pinned right over her heart.
Both Buck and Avella looked quite as if they had been discussing the
fact that, after all, were they not natural neighbors? Was not she
from Idaho -- he from Montana? What more would anybody have?
And so let us leave them. The war still goes on, grows in bitterness,
fierceness, cruelty, all or mostly inaugurated by Fritz the Hun.
How neat, how appropriate the name!
Let us, good reader, hope that if these young folks do survive the war
and return to their homes alive, that some of their dawning dreams may
come true, despite the Hun and all his works.
THE END