THE COUNTERBALANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17276, 27 September 1919, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE COUNTERBALANCE.

im' ''iff BY PAUL TRENT. I#; CHAPTER XXlX—(Continued). All sorts of rumours passed from man I : to man, the prevailing impression being that the following day would see them ■ij in the firing line. After they had fed, ¥ (they were ordered to their billets, and -'5 advised to try to sleep. I rather think we shall go up to night," Geoffrey whisperld to Gerald. •' I believe you're right. I must write a letter. Have you any message for Ruth!" " & •• No. I'm going to sleep," Geoffrey angered curtly, and turned away. \ rry f-lv.tlv he was dozing, but was awaken. -d by a loud report, which seemed no.', far away. I port inquiry it appeared that a lira \ y shell had exploded a couple of iiuuoi'il yards away. Soon after dark, they were awakened' and served with a meal. It became known that they wore going into the trendies at onre and rumour said that the rjyi,nent whom tin y were to relieve had been cut up. It, looks lively, ' Gerald said with a iatifh. The bravest- of men lias fear before he first c."'s into action. Only actual experience can toll linn if he has the necessarv nerve t • stand up under shell or rifle fire. Geoffrey glanced round at the faces of his plat- on. There could be no doubt that mo-; of the men were nervous. Even (he v ue of the sergeant had not its cus(nmin ring of confidence.

Instructn ns were given, impressing silence upon "very one, and all ranks were forbid to smoke. To hi? dying dav, Geoffrey will remember that long march through the darkness. At- last thev reached the trenches, and soon he saw dim figures near them. Whispering took place, and each platoon quickly went to its allot*ed place. " Hello! Who arts you? " a voice wked.

" The Blankshires," Geoffrey answered. It s about time you came. We're done. I'll show you the ropes. The strafi:>; begins at dawn, and I hope to r -d we are away before then! " Geoffrey caught- a glimpse of the man's {see. It. was grey and drawn, and his vps were weary. It appeared that the (lerm'.na had attacked after a heavy bom--s:'rdment, but had been y repulsed", with lea lOJ^S '' I expert they'll have another shot as soon aj! it's daylight. You bet, they know we've none and you've taken our place. Probably they'll shove up a board telling you who yon are. The devil onlv knows how they g£t their information. "Hurrah! We're off. So long, and the best of luck." The defenders, caked with mud, wet and hungry, moved away with beni backs, for every now and then a bullet whistled overhead. " Well, we're here," announced Geoffrey " It's very nfuch what I thought it would be. Hello ! What's that?" So far there had been no firing from our trenches, but now something was happening on th* right, for shooting had commenced. But it died down in a few minutes, and then Geoffrey and Gerald wit to examine their dug-out. The previous owner had worked hard in his little home. The 'nsido was boarded, and there were pictures, taken from the illustrated papers, on the walls. However, there was not much room, but it was the one pla.-t? of comparative safety, while the trenches were being shelled. Geoffrey sat down and lighted his pipe. He was analysing his fee.ings, and was delighted to find that the slight nervousness of which he had been conscious had paj?.«ed away. But now and again he glanced at hie watch—dawn would soon be here, and then would come the test. , As a matter of fact, the bombardment started an hour before dawn, and shellslarge and —were bursting on all sides. Geoffrey poked his head out, but was sternly ordered back by the sergeant. •lust as it was becoming light, Hurst ran.® along 'he trench, and looked in at them. " All right—eh?" he asked pleasantly. " Yp», s'r." " We expect an attack when they stop sheiiing us." A half an hour later they saw a stretcher-bearer pass along, carrying a wounded man. ' The first of them," Gerald said grimly. A shell exploded quite near to them, and dirt and splinters struck their dugoat. but no one was injured. " It's the waiting. Why can't we be doi..g something? I must go and have a shot at "em." Gerald cried suddenly, and " seized his rifle. " Don't be an ass," Geoffrey said, taking him by the arm, and pulling him back. TV bombardment became fiercer, but stopped just as suddenly as it had com- , menced. A sharp order, and the trenches were quickly manned. Every man held his pun, and took careful aim. The German trenches were not very away, and the grey-clad enemy were climbing over the parapet in manises. "Steady, boy«, don't waste your cartridges," the subaltern cried warninglv— a biy scarcely out of his teens; his voice was clear and confident. The enemy came on in massed-forma-tion, and in spit® of heavy losses continued to approach. The Blankshires did not lose their heads, although they were losing a number of men. Even when the enißinv were close to their trenches, they remained quite steadya living testimonial to the excellence of their training. At last a whistle blew, and Geoffrey breathed a sigh of relief. I<j an instant the men were climbing over the parapets, firing an they went- The friends charged side oy side—they were the men for bayonet work—tall and muscular. It's all right," Gerald gasped to his fr.end, as he withdrew his bayonet. The enemy had suffered terrib'y from the rifle tii-. and could not withstand that ,n.-.d charge of men whose nerves were t- ■ -e. and who were eager to prove to themselves that thev were men. At last lie Germans broke, and raced hark to their trenches. 'I he Blankshires were onlv too ear: f, r to follow them, but were ordered Kick, and they returned reluctant 1 The casualties were not heavy, but arii''Ti_- the wounded was Reynold Drift whom Geoffrey met. in trie trench. "link a bullet through my arm." Fl'irji f-rp ained ( 'l< geticallv. A fi'-id dressing fa' ;ippl"d and they took rim to the dn2-out. for the bombai • ir::t had rec"?iimeiu-ed. and it was r-'it «ife to ti« Ice him t<. the rlrarngJla'.i.," In f-ict. he wold probably have. to w lit ur til dud: lit f< M' being r- moved. TT • >■.% ever he <..-<-rned tinfi-nt enough .is In- ~-r , .,},(■■] a ci/are't". i his w sit lirrs'i rue f.,r fi.'ht in?. T'r.'.r- mv word. I'm ««.rrv to leave. Ha- th- men heen Splendid. ell, 0, i'-"

• l »,. r, r ofT 1 f,-.-! ':kr- ,i he,,. i„ '• I ... v, rv f: .ok to v.-, a l , .'it I'M-;, M.> I a,k if v..,i ,'i . e g't t, r . ,rrv her'''' •. "! I''.' 'I i ... je rv. r::;n.'t"i en! of any kind 1,. 4 ■' • -. -de there 1= no e rr.'nL""n< i.t 'I . I -1 ■i i' try inv In- V Vmi rr-t.e' eve it but l v trip'! to p'''V t l .- ~ ... :»), . , ~ I' vi '-r > lb it on, e -'> - ' t. ~i t., ■ v.-in fit • - .•i! u i * '...! ! I • -v ,« a tl'f irk a! ' 't- -I 1 . , I'm -■!'•" for i' " ' v, " vi 1 ,1. VIT vol 'Id "1- :)!•• 'it ' T ait •; .. , ■; •: v i* li'ncfi'i:> ■ ItV it " . I \ . • i v l -.it yon bad d- ne tt- - ■.■ ■r !' ' r'v rr-m'A. Bather fine in aI- iv 'it .i .'■ ' e, :.-r,rv " , : ' tl-n '!;ii-t ,-iie U. the di; r < T* v,. •' - ! • .-I. rird lip w: < I . t . ! , , -, .i; rr . v/i.nndpd. TT- 1 ' • Vo-t 3-d i<.-r .• ..iipnnv did vi rv V I (ii.p- • ' 'I 'l' - 1 If i.-irk with IK Ye- \ coor T.i f tr." i. • v how vou eet TT.- ;ov p a !■: a' tie- 11. ■\- smiVd. arid T. • ■ ' a w i v ' \ -...< ,1 -r rt •*.„ - ' , 1 dare |~.t 1.'.: ' -I , I ,-1 -.- V .. ,t-v M;,,P ;';t ■ i-.-— r X, '~ 1.1 \- „ M ,1 the men hi-' f, mid It p"-"-p' vi" !t 11 t» It's ev. rvI 1 ' • - - a = Ml- r. IT V- , e i:.,tirpd ''•••• I!'-' : 'i ft. e>pm.,M p., ,t 'if the n . « i- -r f I ,>• fl ar -r.-t "' • '••• :-1 ' 'Med !.<■ - L

"We Were all in a funk-I know I was aren ' 4 , we , Wer going to become hat K,,t g ? ln . I c know you've got Stathwii. but I came first." » ■ V , 6 . c ' lan gfid since the days of ouV friendship, Geoffrey answered coldly. nt-or ßo have I. This war is changing everyone. However, I won't press vou. van 1 give any message to Ruth!" " No, thank y<fti." " Do you remember the day she arrived •t our home? What a nrettV fla>er she * bought her chocolates at the Give mo S °v u! lead r o{ - ym tliat timematches. NX .M .£?>■ " at h A" d V} en , hi , s eyes closed, and he fell been bi t lO ' fainted, and must have ™u , gr : at pain ' hufc hnd conlfkin 1 %V Z' 3 Geoffrey -nd himself liking him the more for his 1

CHAPTER XXX. Autumn had Ruth and Ethel were still working in the hut. Many regiments had parsed through the camp and thev had always been kept busy. Gerald li.'id written regularly 1 from the front, where ha had been through a great deal of fighting, but so far neither lie nor Geoffrey had received a scratch. A concert was being held, and the hut was literally packed from floor to ceiling and a crowd of soldiers make one of the most wonderful audiences. Each song was greeted with whole-hearted enthusiasm, and, given half a chance, tile men joined lustily in the choruses. " I m never tired of listening to them." Ruth said to Ethel. I expected a letter from Jerry to-day. It r three days—" She broke off and uttered a little.,cry, for coming towards the °ounter was a mud-bespattered man in faded khaki. '' " It's Gerald. Go to the mess-room. I'll attend to the counter," Ruth said hurriedly to Ethel, and then greeted Statham. "Go through that door on the right." 1 hanks, Ruth. Geoffrey is fit. I left him three days ago. By the by, he' s been recommended for the D.C.M." See you later." Ho hastened away, and a few moments later Ethel was in his arms, and he was kissing her passionately. "Thank God I've lived for this! How soon can you get away?" " At nine o'clock." " Ten minutes to wait. I've the big car outside. Can you arrange for a week's leave ?"

"Yes—l think so." " Can Ruth get away as well ! I should like her to be present at our marriage." "May I ask when that takes place?" she said with a nervous laugh. " To-morrow morning—in London. 1 thought we might travel up to night in the car. I've so much to say to you. tfust then the leader of the hut came in, and was introduced to Stat ham. After being asked if both the girls could be spared, he went to the telephone, and came back to announce that he could make arrangements for their relief. At nine o'clock Ruth joined them, and they drove straight t-> the cottage to pack their trunks. Fortunately, it wis not a cold night, and the long drive would be rather pleasant. " I'm going to sit by the chauffeur," said Ruth, and would not be moved from -his decision. The car was a powerful one, and they ravelled very rapidly, but it was late, or •athor early in the morning, when they arrived in town. Upon arriving, they oirnd that Sir John Statham was awaitnc; them, and had a hot meal read v. The )aronet was bubbling over with cheerfulless, and continually asked questions of lis son. " We at the front know nothing except ffhat is happening at our little bit. Don't ake any notice of what men from the root tell you, unless he's on the staff, 'ou may be sure of one thing—the mors man knows the lr he'll say. And ti-

a —xi knows trio . ss he x. . i i more he says the less he knows. I can only tell you that the Bocheis putting up a good fight, K/ut I'm convinced we're going to put up a better. The» men are confident of winningwhen we have enough shells to waste," said Gerald. Sir John insisted that the girls should go to. bed, but he kept his son up for a final smoke. " i'erry—l like that nameyou are a different man to the boy who left England," ho remarked. . " Any many who has been through it | must be different. Before I went out human life to roe had a certain value. I imagined that personally I was of certain importance to the world. Now, I don't. Life has become very cheap. I warn you of one thing, dad. In Franco we are building up a great nation of men that will be different to the Britisher who has stayed at home. The men I know out there are real men, and have no use for I the futile. You remember the labour fuss and the strikes. If we had had the men out there who had caused it, they would have been shot down like dogs. Without undue grumbling, we have faced hell for a bob a day, while the well-paid slackers at home are striking for a rise which amounted to as much as our total pay. And then the men who are earning so much that they won't put in a full whack of —they'll have to answer to us some day." "I can assure you that labour generally has behaved magnificently. Of course there are ' ' It's the exceptions I was referring to. We'll have another talk about it later on. I feel very strongly, and I'm not the only one. I wish you could listen to the men at the front. Your eyes would he opened. 1' can tell you one thing. England's troubles will begin when the war is over. The nation at home—-and the politicians will have to answer to us for what they have done and left, undone while we have been fighting. Good-night, dad." Sir John sighed deeply when his son had left him. and lighted a cigar. He was a patriot in the host cense of the word and loved his country. His firm had not made one penny piece out of England's grim necessities. A/fc in the case of Sir James' share, all his profits were returned to the Treasury for the purposes of the war. He had long been thinking of the subject which Gerald had broached. In common justice the vote could not be refused to any man who had fought for his country. In his experience, the soldier had completely forgotten party politics. He would return home with "his ideas revolutionised, and travel and fighting would have given him a new sen = of proportion; and if the soldiers stuck together they could sweep the country. Truly, the Empirelike the rest of the world - -was in the melting-pot. Hut.li arid Ft he! had gone upstairs together. hut did not go to bed at once there was so much to talk about. Jerry took my consent, for granted Hut I don't mind. Doesn't he look splendid''" Kt lie I »aid with very unusual shyness. •' tie is splendid in every way. You are a lucky girl." " And in a few hours I shall be his wife. I've decided I won't mention the war again* as long as lie is with me. Alas, it's only live davs, and time does fly when one is happv!" " Why didn't Geoff come home with mi : iii'dn't he get leave?" ■' Ye.-. He refused to come. Gerald 11.-..11 v quarrelled with him. isv the by, lie t.,\l me that women are working in the V.M.C.A. hits m France. Anil of that fact i'uth was thinking when .-lie it'll asleep. The '-eie:noii was to he a real war wedding. v- i 11..-.,! any ceremony!' Gerald ap--1.,-.1.,-.I~-.i*.-< 1 ,n a new uniform, and there was a riLlx'ii on hi.- breastthe D.C.M. He had emitted to inform them he had been

awarded that medal. With him was Key- , nr.id llur«l, who ills* l wore a ribbon —that • of tin; D.S.O. Thc'Blarikshires had gained their full .'bare of decorations. Whv did you ask Captain Hurst to be youi le-.-t mall':'' Kut.li asked of Gerald. ■ 1 d'■ i.'t know, lie's in the regiment— and he's a fplend.d soldier." ■ <en i you didn't like him. You said he .isn't to be trusted " lie's all right." I Tim ■ai .- took them to the church. There I were no other guests and after the cero- ! rnunv was over they returned to the house for t he " edd.ng hi eakfast. Wheie rue von going for your honeymoon':" asked Sir John. ' Tha' s our secret. 1 shall bring my | wife ha. k here m four days' time. Until • then we disappear.' Herald said with a grin. iTo ho cf'ji'mued on Saturday licit.)