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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1944-12-07, Page 7THE EXETER ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNIN& DECEMBER 7, W Pe.30 T CHAiyiW ix The children surrounded Roger and Meridel* questioning Roger, asking him the meaning of the bright ribbons on his tunic, beg­ ging him to tell them of his ad­ ventures in the sky. He waited, as did Meridel, and madams also, for queries, some talk of Bonhomme Fricot, “that good man whom the laughing soldier killed.” They knew Rosine and Pol Martin were think­ ing of that,, but something, some childish intuition kept their little tongues away from the subject, “You could not take captives from your airplane, could you?” asked Pol Martin. “Who takes those prisoners? I know: it’s the soldiers on the ground. They take them and send them over here and put them in big wire cages. Gesner told us that there was a big one full of them deep in the woods back of Philibert, He would not take us to see them. He said, “Suppose you were shut up in a cage. Would you like people to come and gape at you? Of course you wouldn't!' ” “Did you fly over Gratzen?” asked Rosine. “Did you see the castle where we used to live? Is the golden cock still over the door of the inn? Emil and Magda told me to ask you. They are always wondering about it.” Roger smiled and shook his head. “I may have flown over Gratzen, my little ones, but if I did it was in the night and there was nothing I could see. Probably the brave little cock is still there above the door—unless the army of occupa­ tion has eaten him in stew.” “They could not eat a wooden bird, Monsieur Roger!” protested Rosine. “Still, do they not have sawdust in their sausage?” “Do they not indeed! But I was1 only joking. That cock of Jules’ would be too tough even for those men of iron. There! The clock strikes ten—it’s bed for little men —and also little women.” He sat at the fire with Meridel after madame had retired, while Rudolph and Jules went over their accounts in the little enclosure in the taproom. Roger’s dark eyes studied her face shyly. “This is the hour I waited for,” he said, “And I pictured it just like this. There would be a fire and you and I would sit beside it and I would know such happiness as never be­ fore. To be near you is all I’d ask, to know that, by reaching out, I could touch you, that by bending I could kiss your lips—” She looked at him, then away. “But—but you do not?” “No, I do not.” He, too, was in­ tent on the blaze. “The mystic fig­ ure that was between my love and me”—• his voice held now a little of that same wryness that had been in it when he learned of her pre­ vious meeting with the red one—“it has crystallized into the very solid form of my brother, Michel.” “Madame told you about the pic­ ture?” “All about it.” “And you think?” “I think with you and with my aunt; it is a thing too awful, too monstrously appalling, to be be­ lieved.” “But could it—-could it be? Your brother—how could he live among them, serve- with them—?” “You mean could he get away with it? Yes, lie could readily. He was educated in Germany, spoke the language well, had many friends there. He knew the politi­ cal setup and admired some of the things ahout it. There! I swore I wouldn’t talk about this business, and here I spoil our first moments together by 4welling on it, I won’t mention it again—even though I know you keep his photograph and —pray to it.” “I do not!” She was as swift with her denial as any schoolgirl. “I do not! I keep it because I remember him pleasantly, because I had some lovely hours with him, because he seemed—” “I’m sorry, sweet. Forgive me. He is a marvelous fellow, Mike. Anyone who ever knew him will tell you that. He was always a romantic figure — remote, doing fascinating things such as climbing glaciers in 'Alaska, exploring the regions of the Congo and digging In Mavan ruins. And he could charm the birds out of the tree. What a fine John Alden J have turned out to be! John was a fel­ low, Meridel, who pleaded fox* an­ other man, while lie himself really loved the girl he was trying to Win for the other. I’m not going to give Mike any more of a build­ up. I’ve praised him too highly now. From now on I shall tell you what a wonderful fellow is Roger Fabre, what the king said to him, how Mr, Churchill, looking at a few hundred of the Air Force boys one day said, ‘And who is that tall dark fellow there? Can that be this Fabre I’ve heard so much about, the man at the mere men­ tion of whose name Marshal Goer­ ing says, ‘Groundt der Luftwaffe at vonee!’ And, believe H or not, it really was xtoger.” “Ah, you are fine, Roger. You can laugh always and have fun. Deep inside, though, you do not laugh so much, eh?” “I try not to look too deep in­ side, Meridel. It's no good. And right now especially. After this is over, after we can think quietly for a while and no longer hear the thunder of the guns and the roar of flames—why, then, perhaps, we can look into our hearts and raise them up to God. Right now, it’s laugh while you can, be merry while there’s gayety about. Would you like to go somewhere and dance with me?” “Dance? It is so long since I have danced that I shouldn’t know how to go about it. And you are fatigued. You must be so weary.” “But I'm. not. I snatch a wink here, a wink there. I can’t be tired when I am with you.” “I think it is better that we stay here, and you will rest. If you like I shall sing to you.” “A lullaby, no doubt. You want to put me to sleep to get rid of me.” She laughed. “I wouldn’t leave you, even if you slept.” And she crooned in French, “Sleep, sleep, My little one, sleep. The day is gone and the night is here; Sleep, oh sleep, My little one sleep, While the angels hover near.” She sang on. Roger listened. She saw him nod, his eyelids droop. She smiled, sang more softly. Slowly his dark head came to her shoulder and rested there. Meridel did not move—not until almost an hour had passed. He stirred then and and sat up in an instant, looking at her in utter confusion. “I dreamed of angels,” he said. “And this is one dream that car­ ries on into waking. Why ever did you let me go to sleep, Meridel?” “So that 1 might see what you looked like in repose.” *"I must have looked horrible.” He rubbed his short hair. “I feel fine now.” “You looked like a tired little boy—like Pol Martin ancl Emil af­ ter they ha.ve played so long iii the snow that they drop off before they can get into bed. And that is where you must go now,” “My first night home,” muttered Roger, “and I fall asleep! Why, I planned that it Would be all mirth and flowers and music! you and I were to dance till dawm You were never to leave my arms; instead-—*” “I held you in my arms while you slept,” A Help to Those Who Are Past Middle Age When mon and women get past middle age their energy and activity, in many instances, begin to de­ cline, and their general vitality is oil the wane. Little ailments and sicknesses seem harder to shake off than formerly^ and, here and there, evidences Of a breakdown begin to appear. „ , Now is the time those wishing to help maintain their health and vigour should take a course of Milburn's Health and Nerve Pills. i( They help tone tip and invigorate the patient by their tonic action on the system. _Price 50(5 a box, 05 pills, at all drug counters, '* Look for our trade mark a “Rod Heart” on the package. The T. Milbum Gt>., Idtniirf, ToroaM Otft, “Which is why I dreamed so pleasantly. Ah, well, there will be other nights. I shall be here for a while. And you are coming back to Philibert with us?” “Yes, Madame Fabre has asked us all.” Everywhere, that season, was the ringing music of children’s voices. The threat of poverty was ignored, even if it was not entirely non­ existent. The government and the authorities in charge of the little visitors had assured madame that Philibert would be maintained by them and it would still belong to her. “ You began this noble work, Madame,” the Premier said, “be assured we shall not let it lan­ guish.” Roger, aided by a lawyer who had been his classmate at McGill, was trying to bring some semblance of order out of the chaos left by that lord of misrule, Gabriel Fol- let. “We shall make some fair ar­ rangement, madame,” he told his aunt. “It will be all right. But you will be a working girl, mind— directress of all these little refu­ gees you have taken in,” “That will be no work. And Mer­ idel has promised now to stay here and help jme, and Rudolph will come too, there will be more child­ ren—■” “Yes, for many years to come there will be children in need of just such aid as you can offer, You will be doing something great and useful, And you are repaid in such coin as that.” Late that evening, Madame raised the delicate, thin-stemmed glass and watched the ruby fires in the depths of the wine, the warm heart’s blood of the Burgundy grapes. “There is one more toast,” she said slowly. “And tonight, some­ how, I do not hesitate to propose it. You know what it is, Roger— you all know—let us drink to Michel.” Suddenly, as if a hand invisible had dashed the glass from her lips, the fragile, bit of crystal the old lady held was shattered on the lieartstone at her feet and the wine spread like blood. Her hand stayed halted near her lips. The others were on their feet, staring at the two men in sheepskin jackets who stood in tile wide doorway, at the lark menace of the automatic the short one held, at the grim, red- stubbled visage of the tall one who surveyed them with blue eyes cold as the ice of the river. “Be quiet, all of you,” said he. And the voice was the voice of Michel . Fabre—but how altered, how harsh, how hateful!” We are sorry to spoil this occasion, but our lives are important to us. We es­ caped from your prison camp back in the woods. You will remember me as Oberlieutenant Faber. My companion is Manfred Kehl. What we want from you, my friends, is the key of the station wagon park­ ed in front of.the house. You will have them, brother.” He looked at Roger, his face expressionless. “Bring them here.” “The laughing soldier who killed Bonhomme Fricot,” said madame softly. “And I thought it was some wild story the children had made up.” Michel started. His eyes strayed from Roger to the scornful face of his aunt. “We have no time for talk. The keys, please; and • at once. We cut your telephone wires and have fixed the other car so it will not go. Ah—”he had seen Rog­ er reach for a bronze book-end as he passed behind a chair and in one leap lie was on him. His fist shot out and cracked cruelly ©gainst his brother’s mouth, bloodying it, send­ ing Roger crashing to the floor. “Fool! You would not have tried that had you know how good Man­ fred is With the trigger.” He bent and took the keys from Roger’s pocket. “Thank you.”He stood up. “And you, my friends. Let this not spoil your merriment. It is War, you know—a war whose demands transcend anything else,” ‘Even the love of God and the love of your brother,” said Meridel. “Princess of Gratzeti.” Oberlieu­ tenant Raber bowed stiffly. “I sa­ lute you. And yes—even perhaps such loves as you mention, I am glad you have found sanctuary in this country. It would be a shame for such beauty as yours to suffer?’ “Make haste!” said Kehl In Get- man, “There is iio time tor talk. You know the pretty one?1 She is the Princess of Gratzen, heln?” He bowed slightly, his mouth set in a hard smile, “She is warm here, nicht? We shall go now?’ Roger had risen slowly to his feet. Rudolph stood beside him. Meridel moved close to the old lady whose eyes never left the thin, stubbled visage of Michel Fabre. 1 “Oberlieutenant Faber,” she said. “A little child stamped on your pic­ ture and said she hated you.” “It is war," he said. “War. You do not understand, you people. You will know one,,day soon. Auf Wie- dersehen.” No one moved. Not until, above the low moaning of the wind, they heard the sound of a motor, did anyone have the will to speak, to think even, of what had happened. Roger went to the window then. Meridel came and stood beside him, her hand through his arm, They saw the tail lights the station dagon receding until they were only fiery pin points; then nothing. (To Be Continued) Hensall Boys Apppeciate Parcels The following letters were re­ ceived by members of organizations that sent parcels to the boys: Dear Gladys: I am going-..to kill several birds with one stone by answering your welcome letter, thanking the In­ stitute for their greatly appreciated parcel, and hoping that you will thank Mrs, Shirray for me—it was very kind of her to write. It is very thoughtful of the Institute to send parcels to the chaps over here as we do need them. They provide the little extras that come in so handy when ‘ you are away from home. Besides that they make us realize that the people at home have not forgotten us and that is very im­ portant. We are all proud of Hen­ sall and when we realize the work and extra hours that went into making up the parcels, we are still more proud of the little home town. Let us hope that in the near future you will not have to be sending parcels across the ocean, but pre­ paring for the celebration of vic­ tory. Thanking you again, Gerald Passmore. W W Dear Mrs. Campbell: The very fine box packed and sent by the Women’s Institute was very gratefully received. The work done by all your women of our old home town is so appreciated by all the boys over here. I am sure you must all be extremely busy with your war work and to find the time necessary to accumulate all the beautiful things which go into the'making up of our boxes must be difficult. To give up a percentage of your rations of sugar, etc., for the making of the candy is so gen­ erous of you all. But I’m sure all the boys are of one thought—that of our homes and loved ones at home. The Seaforth and Exeter papers let the boys know so much more of the local news •than it would be possible to put into a letter. It is now 3 years since I said my farewell to my mother and sister in Toronto and I'm looking to the day that will reunite US. Every little bit we do over here is done willingly and I might even say eagerly because everyone real­ izes by a 100% war effort, the great day of victory is hastened. There are many months of suffer­ ing past, but there lie ahead of us all many more months of hardship in effecting rehabilitation and re­ storing the world to a semblance of order after such an unheaval. The liberation of the peoples of the occupied countries is gradually taking place. We are all so pleased to seO those people who were so long in a state of privation, hunger and suffering, being sot free and assisted in their re-establishment In their little communities. It is so hard for us to appreciate to its full measure, just what hard­ ships were brought to bear upon these oppressed qeoplos and »I feel we should be so ready, each and every one of us, to do, in out many .ways, his full share in assisting these poonfe to re-establish them- solves. Ry putting our trust in our Heavenly Father, that He Will guide us through the thick of bat­ tle and the problems of the months to follow, I feel that we, as Indivi­ duals* in a great nation of allied countries will be rewarded by vic­ tory—justice of the great cause for ■ which we are fighting. Many of you women are mothers who have sons away from home and who are proud of their sons in the sacrifices they are making. I’m one of those sons, and. on behalf of all of us, sons, husbands, sweethearts* as the case may be, I just want to say, , “We are proud too—proud of our homeland. Canada; proud of our home towns, and proud of those wonderful mothers, who* at home* are praying for the safe return of. ‘their loved ones, They shall not [grow old, as we that are left grow i old. Age will not weary .them, nor the years condemn. Yes, we are fighting, fighting for that freedom of speech and freedom of life that has been ours and will be ours again, Just in closing, let me thank you again Mrs, Campbell, and all the women of the community for their continued kindnesses to us all, My sincere regards to all in Hensall. Yours gratefully, Ronald M, Peck. Dear Gladys: I received your letter today, so I’m going to-answer it right away. I like to keep my correspondence caught up. Thanks for the lovely parcel which arrived the other day. The parcel is a very good one. mother tells me bars are very scarce, so you certainly do well to send so many. They are sure nice too. That home-made candy is real­ ly grand too—just melts in your mouth. It is delicious. I take can­ ned. goods to an English home over here and I get some really good meals. Milk isn’t too plentiful. So your tin is a big help. Everyone is shivering tonight. It’s quite cold and the chill is penetrating because of the dampness. They haven’t started heating the huts yet though it has been cold enough the last few days. There’s a plane going over, We see a lot of them here. Bombers, fighters and transports. Sometimes we see planes towing gliders. We ' always look at them and wonder just where they’re going. Sometimes we see an extra large lot of planes, then the next day we get a paper to see what has happened. In this camp we get papers twice a day. An English chap brings them in to the camp at meal times. He sells a lot of them. We who aren’t fighting, keep close track of what is going on. That’s about all I can think of just now but I must say that you people back home certainly do a lot to ■keep us feeling good. So thanks a lot, all of you. Sincerely, Jack Bell. W. I must sincerely thank you for your kind thoughts in sending me a very lovely and acceptable par­ cel. I must thank Miss Luker for her very interesting letter. It really is comforting to receive letters from home. After all, Hensall is my home. Well, since I have been lo­ cated here in Belgium I have been in some very lovely and modern 'places and homes. The Belgian's are really wonderful people and they just can’t do enough for us. We, they say, are “our liberators” and believe me they really shower their appreciation upon all ranks and armies of the Allied forces, The Canadian forces have certainly been giving an excellent account of themselves and if the operations continue as well in the past month we should see the end of this bat­ tle soon. Then we over here will be able to return to Canada and settle down with our families again. That is the main them that keeps us going. Lt. Jack Scott. W. >> Just a line in answer to your much appreciated letter. As usual you are thinking if us boys over here. There is nothing so good as to hear from friends at home and learn that you are all thinking of us and the great cause in Which we are involved, but nevertheless, we are winning. So keep your chins up. We have a job to do and we are just the boys who can do it. The country and people are grand. Lit­ tle trouble to make people under­ stand us as we don’t speak very good Flemish but nevertheless they are very happy to see us and are very grateful for what we have done for them, I received a parcel ■of 300 cigs from a lady in Hensall of whom I never heard, and. am. ashamed to admit that I lost the paper with ner name on it hut if in some wav you should get to know who it was, would be very glad if you would thank her for me please. Yon need not worry about the con­ tents Of your parcels not being ap­ preciated oi’ satisfactory as I can assure you they are grand. To get a parcel from the Institute is like putting your life back five years as it does something to you—I know not how to explain, I wish to be reminded on behalf of the Institute and also the citizens of Hensall thanking them for all they have done to try and make our task in this vast struggle as easy as pos­ sible. Only hope we can hasten the day when we can all rendezvous in the old village hall In a good old dance sponsored by the W.I, I have learned by experience the old saying ‘There’s no place like home, is very true, So in closing I wish to thank each and every one, for all they have dona add wish you all the best, Lloyd brock, W Just a few lines to let yon know that I received the parcel of which your previous letter was a fore- rutiner a tew days ago and I wish to thank all the members of th© W.I. It is certainly an eager bunch of fellows over here who await the receipt of your parcels Mid t do hope you all realize the good work PREMIER I GEORGE DREW will speak m "A TIME FORJJECISION” Wednesday, Dec. 13th . 8.30 p.m. over the Ontario Regional Network of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Affiliated Stations CKNX Wingham CKLW Windsor CFRB Toronto you are doing, and rest assured, your kindness is very much ap­ preciated. I was very sorry to hear of Alpine McEwen’s death over here and if I go back via France and have any chance at all I will try and locate his grave and any particulars that I think may be a source of consolation to his moth­ er. The weather over here has been quite dull and wet, thereby, I feel, impeding our progress toward an early finish to the war. Sunshine seems to be one of our greatest allies. Things are going very good. The people here are very nice though very much in need of food and winter clothing but we hope both shall be relieved before very long, LAC. D. E. MacKinnon isk W Dear Mrs, Norminton: J received your parcel and your letter the other day and wish to thank the Women’s Institute for the hard work, care and thought that went into the packing of it. It contained things that we are short of in the army and made me think of home at a time when we all seem to be very far away. Your letter is full of news and certainly! keeps one up-to-date. I am afraid1 that things are changing so much in Hensall that it will take a day .or two to become accustomed to it when we do get home. The war is progressing nicely but is not over by any means—we all hope that some miracle will happen to bring it to a close before the end of this year, but the hope grows more re­ mote day by day. The Canadian army is certainly making a name for itself and I am sure everyone here feels that the last thing they want to do is let down the reputa­ tion built up by the Canadians in the last war. Thank you very much again for the parcel. It certainly makes a fellow feel that he is part of the best country in the world. Sincerely, (Maj.) Howard Hemphill. W Thank you and the ladies for the lovely parcel that arrived shortly after your letter. “Doddy” has been on indefinite leave and we spent most of it together so you will understand how little time I had to devote to letter writing. We had a pleasant week-end with Jim Campbell and were surprised to see how little he has changed. He is re­ cuperating nicely and will soon be quite normal again. My cousiD from Scotland is reasonably close so whenever I can get a week-end off we spend it together. He is like my father in many ways and I cer­ tainly enjoy being with him. I have just noticed in a list of addresses which you sent to me that Ken Brook is stationed quite close, so I will be paying him 7 risit on my next day off providing he has not been moved. Concerning the parcel, you have never sent anything which I didn’t appreciate very much. The cooking is always of high standard and the toilet articles, writing paper are necessities. The local papers and magazines are a treat in themselves and bring to us a bit of old home. •I was sorry to hear that Bill Nicol and Alpine McEwene had made the supreme sacrifice and it is up to us to carry on with greater effort so they will not have died in vain. “Doddy” just missed seeing Clare Zuefle when he went to visit Jim. C. It seems he had beeu repatriated so you will probably be seeing him soon. One of my friends was a min­ ister in pre-war days, so we have some very interesting discussions. Dave Sangster. ’’Sa. Following are extracts taken from N/S Marion Dougall’s letter: Dear Gladys: What a pleasant sur­ prise to receive your letter. It is so nice to get mail from home. To date I have received two boxes, one from the S.S. class and the other from your Institute. It is really grand of you people back home and I must say I appreciate your thoughtfulness and hard work more than I can say. “Thank you” .seems very small but please convey my most sincere thanks to all concern­ ed, The contents were in excellent condition. There are so many peo­ ple to whom I should write: please give anyone you see my very best regards. I will say “so long” for this time. Thanks again for every­ thing. Write when you have time. Sincerely yours, N/S. Marion Dotfgall. Christmas Cards A new line of Contis’ famous cards Do not delay in making your selection of Christmas Cards, We feel that this is the widest and finest display that we have yet been able to offer you. Al the Times-Advocate you will find hundreds of cards to select from — beautiful etchings^ snow scenes^ old-fashioned Christmas scenes, English prints, humorous cards and numerous assortments, We Have a Fine Selection of Cards for the Airforce t The Times-Advocate