The Children of France

g friends on the lawn next morning. There were no tardy ones at these sittings, in fact so interest

know will thrill you all," said the Captai

the most remarkable of the child patriots of France. I think

fighting when he had the opportunity, which was more than seldom. For valiant service he had been made a corporal, so you may know he was b

y certain important orders to the commanders in front-line trenches. This was early in the war when communicati

ll you, will prove a most per

m ready. I have but one life

e slightest detail of it.' Rene was then given final and detailed orders added to which was an

ed with a mission such as this, a mission that would take him where he knew death would face him at every step. He had not far to go befo

. 'Your voices I have heard before, but the French

y had more protection. It was the over-fire that he was obliged to plod through, and you who have never seen a battle do not realize what a fierce thing

swept by shell fire, lay before him. It was almost certain death to venture into that open field. Rene knew it, but did not

an along like a dog, thus far untouched by bullets, though the

renches,' he told himself encouragingly. He already could

rolled over on his back and grabbed the leg with both hands, then, with his first-aid bandage, bound the leg

agging himself along with great effort, determined to reach the t

ng the orders and understanding fully what was still before the brave lad. 'You s

obeyed my orders. Time enough for others to carry them after I am killed. But I shall not

have lost much blood,

n creep. That once was the

rave lad, and G

n once more. It was with a great effort that he even dragged himself along. He felt himself growing weaker with the moments. Every few yards he was compelled to lie over on his back

gan to roll. It was slow progress and he suffered agonies, but every roll brought him that much nearer to his destination an

ng distance all about. The brave child was again hit by a splinter and this time mortally wounded. He knew that the end was near an

supreme effort and again beg

f steel that was sweeping the plain back of the trenches. They tenderly picked the child up and

nt orders,' gasped the little soldier. 'Tell him to come quickl

ered the dying lad tenderly in his arms, and, placing an ear close to the boy

ene's last. He died in the arms of th

ficer, striding from the dugout, making no effort to

ll do well always to remember," said Captain Favor in conclusion. "Tomorrow I shall tell y