“What news?” demanded George Harper. “We haven’t heard it. What is it.”
“The Germans are asking for an armistice. Austria has already followed the example of the other German allies, set first by Bulgaria, and now Germany practically admits herself defeated and is suing for time in which to determine terms of peace.”
“What!” a couple of men ejaculated in unison. “Where did you hear that?”
“From a Frenchman and an American half a mile below, who have just returned from Paris,” Granger explained, as breathlessly excited as were his listeners. “It’s gospel, too, for I heard the men repeat it to a captain and a major.”
“Why, that means the ending of the war, with complete victory for the Allies,” put in Sergeant Tom.
“Hooray!” shouted another, unable longer to control his enthusiasm, “and that means that we’ll soon be starting home to the good old U. S. A.”
Like wildfire the news spread throughout the camp, and apparently it soon was confirmed from more authoritative quarters, for the officers themselves seemed lifted to a new sphere of happiness, and made no effort to keep down the jubilation which now ran high among the men.
Ollie Ogden, coming past one of the branch telephone posts, responded to a mysterious beckoning of a friend in the Signal Corps.
“Heard it?” that young man asked, in lowered tones.
“No; what?” was Ollie’s reply and query.