The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army

sian

friend, Sonya Valesky, for some time, Mildred T

he church had the golden dome of all Russian churches, glittering like a ball of fire in the sun. Certainly it afforded an easy target for the enemy's guns, and more than this would aid German aeropl

yside for many miles, while running out from the fortress itself were

st she was merely admiring the beauty of the little church. The gold of the dome seemed to be the one appeali

for prayer, but today on enterin

ve paintings dealing with the life of Christ, almost obscuring the ceiling and the walls. There are no pews such as we find in our own churches, for the Russian r

sat down in the shadow, gazi

deeply impressed by the few services she had seen. There was no organ and no music save the intoning of the voices of the priests, and the words of the

eed, her eyes were cast down and her hands clasped in prayer, when t

she recognized as General Alexis. He had come into the church without a me

ately. Feeling herself an intruder, yet she did not wish to c

tent upon his own devotions. For he had at once a

r own absorption and forgetting her meditat

struck Mildred as inspiring to see this man of many

oldiers and the Russian people might trust in his power to bring them safely through an attack at Grovno, evidently there were hours when the distinguished general suffered like lesser people. Mildred Thornton understood enough of hu

uld not be just to any human being, unaware of her presence. If only she could get away without disturbing him! Doubtless on discovering he

not try to move again, for at almost the same

eyes, which were remarkable with his other Russian coloring, were less sombre. Since h

partly due to the fact that he was so much talked of at the fortress and so idolized by his soldiers. He w

this instant, for General Alexis, who had almost reached the door, tu

urch to destroy him? There were many men of othe

uched the metal of his pistol. To his surprise he had discovered a pair

ame back to wher

see you," he said as simply and naturally as an

I who should not have been here when you came. But I did not know, that is I did not dream you ever

han that this should happen I would stay away during those hours

head and began walking toward the do

ess and will permit me, I should l

uld only stammer a c

rs was awaiting him. However, at an inclination of his head they fell in at o

ed gravely, after they had gone on a few yards. Mildred had been vainly endeavoring to ma

e spared having t

did not imagine you would know me again, b

an everyday one, General Alexis smiled,

s. But to be truthful it is because you are an American

Russian offi

o any persons except your two American friends

e for you I want you to know that I intend having you sent back to Petrograd. Y

al self-control, but the surprise, indeed,

they had felt themselves of perhaps unusual value in the Russian nursing. So far as she knew there had been no complaints of their work, only praise. But in

rican Red Cross girls could have summoned. "We have done our best to help with the nursing. If we have failed

or that reason you believe I wish to

alk and faced his companion, since Mildr

e, from a something, a serenity and strength that your presence s

quaintance to pierce beneath the surface of the girl before him. This was characteristic of the man. No human being was ever too

this fact you are not to speak. I have reason to know that at almost any hour in the next few days we may expect the German attack. Grovno will resist to the utte

outer surface of the man, but almos

d Duke Nicholas' army. But in any case I should prefer to have you three American nurses away from all possible danger. The Russian nurses will sh

he had scarcely the courage for this, th

e few soldiers who chanced to be near at their unexpected appearance. Truly it was amazing that the great commander should be concerned with th

to co