“There lies the road from Avocourt That leads to Montfaucon, Past sniper and machine gun nest, By steel and thermite cleansed. They’ve gone— And there in thund’rous echelon The ruined heights of Montfaucon.” HAROLD RIEZELMAN, 1st Lt., C.W.S. VESTAL STAR The long, long march is o’er, the weary roaming; We bivouac, yearning for a peaceful night; I lie and dream amid the purple gloaming, And scan the heavens for a beacon light. As graying shadows lengthen o’er the landscape, And gentle zephyrs lightly stir the air, In yon first twinkling star I gleam a vision Of little sister offering up a prayer. FRA GUIDO, F.A. THE DOUGHBOY PROMISES SHE When you come back— Ah, ’twill be such returning As only lips like mine can sanctify! Then will my arms, that ache with endless yearning, Find sweet surcease from the regret of learning To give you up, if need there be, to die. Should you come back Aged from the toil of fighting, Marred, it may be, though perfect you set out, What matters, so your heart has known no blighting, Your soul has met the test without affrighting? What is there, dear one, after that, to doubt! _Oh, but you must come back to me, beloved! Wounded or no, you must come back._ HE When I come back, Beneath my helmet muddy, There’ll be a smile, stored through the strife, for you; There’ll be a kiss, tender and warm—aye, ruddy With hint of Gallic skies, for my real buddy (That’s soldier talk, and soldier talk rings true). As I come back, Down the street flags adorning, Half seeing all the pomp for sight of you, Foretaste I’ll know of gladsome days a-borning For us, come out of Night at last to Morning From the Long Trail that terminates for two. _Oh, but I will come back to you, my Mother! Wounded? Why, no! ... I will come back!_ ARTHUR MCKEOGH, Lt., Inf. OLD LADY RUMOR