With a great leap he was at her side, forcing her down to the ground and covering her with his body.
The trooper's head sank back and his eyes began to dull.
"May God bless ye, little one," he murmured.

"Heaven--_Mary_--_!_" His lips gave out one long, shuddering sigh.

His body grew slack and his chin fell.

Trooper Harry O'Connell had fought his last fight--had passed to his final review.
One look at the boyish face so suddenly gone gray and bloodless and Gary caught Virgie up in his arms.

"Come dear, you can't help him any more," and with a crouching run they were back once more in the shelter of the wall.
And now the shriek of the shells and the whine of the bullets came shriller than before.