[Illustration]




"MADELON"


It seemed years since I had seen one,--
Years of hiking, sweat and blood,
Didn't think there was a clean one
In these miles of men and mud.

Well, I stood there, laughing, drinking,
Kidding her in bon fransay
But the things that I was thinking
Were a thousand miles away.

Sewed my stripe on like a mother,
Gee! She was a pretty kid....
But I left her like a brother,--
Shake her hand was all I did.

Then I says: "Vous, all right, cherry--"
And my throat stuck, and it hurt....
And I showed her what I carry
In the pocket of my shirt.

[Illustration: "Maison Comtois"]