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JH*I (Copyright, 1915, by W. G. Chapman.) "Sentry!" Scovell opened his eyes with a start. He had been sleeping, bolt upright, his rifle in his hand, his head nodding up on his breasthe, Dick Scovell of Brookline, Massachusetts, an eternity ago, and now a soldier in the Foreign Legion of France. He had been sleeping on sentry duty, a crime for which the military codes of all nations prescribe only one penalty. It is a just penalty, for the sentry has the lives of innumerable men dependent upon his vigilance. Yet there was condonation for Sco vell. A malignant sergeant, two days and nights spent on ceaseless trench work, and then, without the rest that should have been his, a post in this ad vanced position among the bush be tween the hostile lines. Human nature could cot have endured it it was no wonder that the boy had slept. Scovell opened his eyes with a start. Before him stood a major general of the French army, accompanied by two officers from headquarters. "Disarm him!" One of the officers took the rifle from Scovell's hands. He placed a re volver against his temple. "March him to headquarters. We'll makfe quick work of the fellow!" They led him along the edge of the brush, descended into the winding communication trenches and proceed ed in single file, the officer in charge leading, the two of lower rank moving with Scovell between them. Scovell had never been in this part Df the labyrinth of excavations before. "What Is Your Company?" He sensed dimly that something of Importance must be impending, some Bhift of troops, perhaps, preparatory to an attack. The party halted in a little round ex cavation, where half a dozen officers, all in the uniform of the French gen eral staff, awaited them. They rose and saluted. Scovell could only just understand the tenor of their rapid French. They arranged themselves about a little table, the general at the head. "You are accused of sleeping on sentry duty," said one of the two ju nior officers. "Your nationality is Eng- lish?" "American," said Scovell drearily. "It is useless to deny the offense. Have you anything to say in extenua- tion?" "Not much," said Scovell. "Only that I should never have been selected for sentry duty. I had been two days and night in the trenches. Sergeant Rigaud had a grudge against me." "What is your company?" "The fifth." "Of which regiment?" "The Ninth." "Formerly stationed in Algeria? Where are the Twelfth and the Fif teenth regiments?" "The Twelfth is in the trenches. The Fifteenth relieved us at nightfall. I should have gone back with them." The general interposed, frowning fiercely. "If you were asleep on sentry duty there can be only one penalty," he snarled. "But if you area spy you may save your life by acknowledging all and giving us information of value as to the movements of the Germans. Come, now, are you a German?" "I am an American of the Foreign Legion," said Scovell, with a gesture signifying that the whole process was useless. He thought of the girl in Bos ton, whom he had left after a quarrel. He had not seen her before he sailed. Perhaps they would let him write a letter. "Prove that yotfare not a spy!" the general persisted angrily. "What is the last village at which you halted, where your headquarters are now?" "La Fere." "Your trencheshave they many bomb-throwers? Come, 1 know the ex act number." "We have four bomb-throwers in our division." "Are the trenches cemented?" "Oonpreted. But what is the use of all totet I have confessed" I "Be silent W commands the Ninth? Answer now, for your life de pends" A blazing star shell suddenly dis closed the scene to ScoveU's eyes as il it had been etched in white. He saw the eager group about him, the atten tive faces. Something was hooting high overhead. Crash! Night fell. A thousand tons of earth seemed to rise up and strike him. Scovell gasped for breath. He fought with fury to worm his way through the overwhelming mass. He was aware of fragments of debris that had once been flesh and blood about him. He found the free air, drew in a breath, struggled out of the immense crater made by the shell. In the center of the hole lay the mu tilated and mangled bodies of the offi cers who had comprised the court-mar tial. And suddenly Scovell realized that he was free. None but the party knew that he had slept They had placed nobody on guard in his stead. He had not been absent more than a quarter of an hour. If he hurried he could be back in time for his relief! He was about to hurry down the empty trench when he saw a piece of paper fluttering on the ground beside the body of the general. He picked it up. The sky was faintly illumined by the light of distant star shells. Somewhere in the distance the artil lery was booming. Scovell could just make out the meaning of the paper. It was in German and contained a number of rough diagrams which he believed to be plans of the German trenches. He must deliver the documeut as soon as he was relieved, to his head quarters. He waited no longer, but started ofl as fast as he could go. As he ran he remembered that the officer who had disarmed him had thrown his rifle down beside him. Frve minutes later Scovell, breath less and overjoyed, resumed his soli? tary post among the trees. The sweat streamed down his face as he thought of his escape. What an escape! But thenthe document! He musC in duty deliver that at headquarters. No doubt it was of the utmost conse quence. The death of the general and the destruction of his aids by the German shell occurring, as it had done, in a lonely spot, could not be known. Though it meant death to tell the truth Scovell must tell it. For the sake of France, to whom he had sworn fealty, whom he had so nearly betrayed, he must confess. He fingered the document in his tunic pocket and shuddered with horror as he realized the meaning of his duty. And he thought again of the girl in Boston. "Halt! Who goes there?" At once he was the alert, keen sol dier again. The man who had corns wi'h the corporal to relieve him gave the countersign. Scovell went through the formula of the relief drearily. Then he accompanied the noncom. back to the trenches. Ten minutes later he was standing in the presence of the general in com mand. And he poured out his story of treachery and sudden death. He told the general everything in the broken French that the boy had acquired during his short terr* in France. At the end, without astung for his life, he handed him the docu ments. The general pressed a bell upon the little camp table and directed the or derly who appeared to summon the cotonei of the Ninth. A few minutes afterward the two men were poring over the document, head to head, and Scovell was entirely forgotten. He waited. Death meant not much, and lifewell, he had long since re signed the prospects of a long life. But to be kept waiting for the death order was unnerving. He waited. Long afterward, as it seemed, the general raised his head and looked at him with an inscrutable expression in his eyes. "Private Scovell, you say that a shell burst near you when you were on sentry duty and killed a group of offi cers whom yon had not observed?" he asked. "No, sir. I" "Whom you would undoubtedly have challenged a moment later," the gen eral continued. ScoveU's heart leaped. At last he understood. The general was deliber ately misunderstanding him. He meant then, to find an excuse as a reward for his discovery of the paper. "Yes, sir," he stammered. The general clapped him on the shoulder. "You have done well," he said. "Those officers whom you ob served were German spies this doc ument is a complete description of our defenses, and would undoubtedly in time have reached the hostile head quarters and resulted seriously for 12s. Your act shall not be forgotten, Cor poral Scovell.' And, in the midst of his bewilder ment, ScoveU's mind went back with hope to the girl of Bostonnot neces sarily of living to see her affain, but at least of dying with an untarnished name. In Self-Defense. Mrs. JaggsI'd like to know why il is that some men can't say "no" when asked to take a drink. Mr. JaggsDid it ever occur to you that it might be becauie some women can't say "no" when ssked to marry? Different Schools. "My typewriter knows as much about spelling as the late Not a Web- ster." *MIn is an ardent follower of th# lamented Artemua Ward," ii It appears that the pursuit oi hap jincss and the pursuit of luxury are very much one and the same thing, judging from the belongings of wom en who are ab.e to indulge a taste for the beautiful. A study of those things that are made more for the purpose of being decorative than for being useful reveals an enticing play f fancy in their make-up witness the ians, the jewelry and the hair orna ments of the hour. The matter ot urst importance with them is to be beautiful and, next to that, to be original and clever in design. Any number of fascinating decora tions for the coiffure allure those who have occasion to wear them. Near ly all of them consist of a band sup porting a standing ornament of some kind, and all sorts of sparkling and glowing and colorful materials are used to make them. Spangles, tinsels, rhinestones and pearlsthe spangles in all colors, as well as silver and goldprovide the glitter. Tulle and ribbon and flowers play their happy parts, and a few soft and graceful feathers are given places of distinc tion on the coiffure ornaments ot the rlay, or, rather, of the night. Jet in bands of spangles, in beads and tas sels and ornaments, is conspicuous everywhere. Two typical hair ornaments, de signed to meet the requirements of opera goers, are shown 'n the picture above. At the left a band of jet se quins is combined with rhinestones. !t is lined with satin, and the founda tion band is wired along its edges, to keep it smooth. The strand of rhinestones is set above two rows of small jet beads along the center. These terminate in a smail ornament and tassel that serve to mount a spray of black feath ers at the left side. Black or white marabou is used instead of paradise feathers, on many bands, and a ma- The latest and newest of pretty neckpieces makes its entry on fash ion's stage accompanied by "wrist lets" made to match, *rhaps the re vival of the old-fash .oned muffler, which has swept over the country, is responsible for that of wristlets, which were knitted, in the days of our grandmothers, to protect the wrists In wintertime. The neckpiece and cuffs pictured here are a very mod ern and frivolous version of the sub stantial muffler and wristlets of other days. The set shown in the picture Is made of blue and green chenille braid, edged with a narrow border of black fur. They are lined with green satin and embellished with sprays of for get-me-nots in light brown velvet. The spray at the end of the neckpiece is set in a chou of brown malines. Fancy bands and ribbons of various sorts and colors are used for these sets, but the fur border is always present and the small sprays of flow era a necessary part of their compo sition. -vm Hair Ornaments for Evening Wear jority of these ornaments do not em plov feathers at all. This is especial ly true of those designed for younger women. At the light a little cap is shown, made of small pearl beads strung on tine wire. Little jet balls dangle about its edge and a large jet star bhaped ornament serves to mount a crest of feathers at the. front. Pretty caps of white or black ma lines aro mounted on bands covered with rows of rhinestones or pearls and sometimes a latticework of these mock jewels crosses their surface. Narrow black velvet ribbon is used to fin ish them, with long hanging loops at one side and a loose bridle under the chin. Narrow silver or gold gauze ribbons are wound over bands covered with silk for making many of the less ex pensive ornaments. Clusters of small flowers, tinsel butterflies or orna ments, and tassels c* beads finish them. Nothing is prettier or better liked than spangled bands finished with butterflies to match. These como in silver and gold and in many col ors. There are also wreaths of bcauti fully made flowers of chiffon or satin, and with them malines in light colors is used for wired bows and airy or naments. A Home-Made Form. For women who sew at home. Have a well-fitted lining, stitch, press, sew hooks and eyes down front. Stay neck with tape to avoid stretching. Take a bed pillowthe ordinary feather-filled kindstand on end and fit the lining around it. Gradually work the pillow down into the lining until every part is filled out. You will have a duplicate of your own form ready for draping, pinning and sew ing without the fatigue of standing. New Entry on Fashion's Stage rm .i i'i Sets of this kind are useful for con verting the plain tailored waist o coat suit into something more dressy, and for providing a means for a bit of furbishing up. With them, and oth er similar accessories, it is possible tc vary the appearance of a dress thai is worn day after day. The dark silk waist, which is worn for traveling or to business, toses its identity by tha addition of a pretty finish of this kind. Organdie collar and cuff sets and those made of ribbon answer the same purpose but do not add any warmth. Sets like that illustrated, and thosa made of ribbon, make lovely Christ mas gifts Roman striped or other striped ribbon in bright colors, or plaid ribbons, are chosen for the rib bon sets Fancy silk and chenille braids offer a wide choice of color and design for the biaid sets. Plain satin is used for lining them and they an fastened with snap fasteners. BUILDING A CONCRETI rlrst Essential Is Careful Selection of Sand and GravelBe Careful in Use of Water. (By T. It, 8BWAL.L., Northwest School ol Agriculture, Crookston, Minn.) Caref-il selection of sand and grav el is the first necessity in the con struction of a concrete water tank for the farm. Sand should be clean and sharp, containing not more than three or four per cent of clay. If it contains more clay it should be washed. Gravel should also be clean and not more than three-fourths of an inch in diam eter for small tanks or one inch for large tanks. A good mixture for tanks may be made of one part of Portland cement two parts of clean, coarse sand and three parts of screened gravel. The cement, sand1 and gravel should be thoroughly mixed dry, by turning with a shovel or hoo. Water should taen be added, a little at a time, un til the mixture is mushy but not 3loppy. If too much water is used and the forms are not tight, a part of the cement will leak out vith the water and tho concrete will be weak ened. In making a large tank, or one that is going to be moved from place to place, a re-enforcing of Iron rods or wire mesh is required, though old wagon tires or pieces of strap iron are often used. It is important thai the wall re-enforcing be made contin uous around the corners. The tank, if a large one, should rest on its own foundation and have a concrete floor surrounding it. This floor will keep the tank more sanitary k.nd also keep the water, spilled by the cattle, from undermining the tank. The tank may be cast upside down vy using a wooden core, and an out side form. Tho outside form is made straight up and down, while the inaide core is made widfer at the top than the bottom. Then if the water should freeze in the tank the ice will slid* up the sloping sides and be less like ly to crack thorn. DANGER IN CROSSING BRELDS Best Results Are Attained by Stick ing to One BreedLet Man of Leisure Do Experimenting. All practical hog growers ugree that crossing the breeds is a danger ous practice, and that the best results are attained by sticking to one breed. Still, some men are clinging' to the Idea that it is possible to incorporate all tne good qualities of the different breeds into a close-bred animal. It is a disastrous belief if put into pracUce. There may be certain in stances when crossing will give good results, as in tho production of pig rork. The man who is experimenting witu the various breeds and crosses, in search of something better than has yet been found, may have a mission, but such lino of investigation is not practical for the man who must de pend upon the return from his swine feeding for his farm profits. He is on safer ground If ho confines his taste and skill to improving one well established breed and leaves the experimenting to the man of leisure and means. CORN SHELLER EASILY MADE ew Scraps of Wood and Handful of Spikes Are All That Is Necessary to Make Device. Where only a little corn Is to be Shelled a homemade corn shelter can oe made very easily, a few scraps oi wood and a handful of spikes being put together as shown here, says Farming Business. A block of wood having a sloping notch cut from one end is mounted on three legs. A lever is attached to the block by means of a bolt that allows the lever to work easily, and both the lever and Homemade Corn Shelter. cutaway portion of the block are stud ded with spikes driven in so that their heads protrude about a hall Inch. The ear of corn to be sheBed is placed in the notched part and the lever pressed down, two or three strokes taking off all the corn. A box be low the notch and attached to the leg catches all the corn as it is shelled The ear is held in one hand and the lever operated with the other, the ear being turned to bring each side into contact with the spikes. Capital Mortgage Lifters. A few choice cows and a few good BOWS will litt the mortgage from the I farm quicker than it can be done in any other way. They will also build a modern home, put in new furniturft establish a water and lighting plant and start you well on the highway oi prosperity. If 70a haven't enough lira stock to consume all tha feed grown, borrow money and buy mora, r/^fM' "v CORRECT SEED TEST "Rag Doll" Will Prove Satisfac* tory for Experiments. Corn Must Be Picked Out Ear by Ear to Make Sure That It Has Not Been KilSed by Early Frosts Keep the Towel Wet. The early frost thts year caught much of the seed corn and it must be picked out ear by ear to make sure it is not dead. To made a "rag doll"" tester, take a strip of muslin about nine inches wide and eighteen inches long for testing five ears, twenty-eight inches long for ten ears and about forty-eight inches long for twenty ears. Mark on it as many two-inch and three-inch divisions as there are ears of corn to be handled in the tester. Number 'he divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. Make a "Rag Doll" Seed Tester. uick about one inch wide and a foot long, of any old cotton cloth. Number the ear3 to correspond la the divisions, placing live kernels from tar 1 in space 1, etc. The rag doll should bo dampened before placing the seed coin in it. When all tho spaces are filled, carefully roll tho rag doll up, ataiting from the left hand end, nuking sure that the seeds are not How to Arrange Kernels. nixed by careless rolling. Then when Hie last row of seed has been rolled In, place tho wick in tho rag doll, let ting about eight inches of il hang out, and finish rolling to the end. It should I hen be dipped in water, rolled in a wet towel, and tho wick placed in a glass of water. Several rag dolls, test ing 50 to 100 earB, may bo thus placed In the same towel. Feel of the towel every day and it It is not moist, dip it in a bucket of water and correct the condition that caused it to dry. In about six daya Showing Germination. the test is ready to count, and all eara hlLowmg weak, dead or moldy ker* nl should be thrown into the feed box. PLAN FOR HANDLING MANURE Dest Way Is to Haul Fertilizer to Feld3 Every DayEvery Farmer Should Own Spreader. The very best way of handling ma nure is to haul it out day by day, or week by week, as It is made, if this can be done. Many farmers think that manure applied in this way will lose its value before the next crop is grown on the land but experiments Bhow that there is very little loss in this ease unless the land is very rolling. The next method of handling ma. nure is to feed under an open shed where tho manure is kept tramped down compactly through the feeding season and then hauled during the summer at a leisure time. Manure kept compactly in this way under cov er los*s very little. Of course, the practice of feeding the animals di rectly on the fields is a good one, but the difficulty is in getting the manure scattered over the whole field. ra-mers should understand mora thoroughly the advantages to bo de. rived from the use of a manure spreader and every farm of 100 acres or ovfr where cattle are fed around the buildings should not be without this iffip.sment. Next Year's Potatoes. Pick out next spring's potato pat*& this fall. Plow it deep and give it a coat of manure. Put the manure a early, though, ao that It will be f*H decayed before the potato** are plantj ed.