Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-12-02

part Of the hall. There she paus.ss
held by the scene that a score or
more Gray soldiers, who had riotousIy
crowded into the dining-room. were
enacting. They were members Of
Fracasse's company Of the Grays
whom Marta had seen from her win
dow the night before rushing across
the road into the garden.
When, finally. they burst into the
redoubt after 1t was found that the
Browns had gone. all. even the judges
son, were the war demons own. The
veneer had been warped and twisted
and burned of down to the raw ami
NAL flesh. Their brains had the fever
itch of callouses forming. Not a sign
of brown there in the yard; not sign
OF any tribute after all they had en-
duredl They had not been able to lay
hands on the murderous throwers of
hand-grenades. Far away now was
barrack-room geniality; in oblivion
were the ethics OF an inherited civili-
zation taught by mothers, teachers and
church.
But here was a house-a house of
the Browns; Zig, fine house! They
was the privilege OF baffied victory.
What they had won was theirsi To
the victor the sl1oilsl Pell-mell they
crowded iuto the dining-room, Hugo
with the reGt, fec ling himself straw
on the crest - wave, and Pilzer.
most bitter. most ugly of all. his short,
strong teeth and gums showing and
his liver patch red. Iumpy. and trem-
bling. In crossing the thresnold of
privacy they committed the act that
leaves the deepest wound OF wars In
heritance, to go on from generation
to generation in the history of fami-
lies.
"A swell dining-room! like the
chandeliers!" roared Pilzer
With his bayonet he smashed the
only globe left intact by the shell fire.
There was a laugh as a shower OF
glass fell on the floor. Even the
judges son. the son of the tribune of
law, joined in. Pilzer then ripped up
the leather seat of chair. This in
tro'iuctory havoc whetted his appetite
for other worlds of conquest, as the
sel'-chosen leader of the increasing
crowd that poured through the door
way.
Maybe there's food" he shouted.
Maybe there's wine!"
Food and winei"
Eyes. wine! We're thirstyi"
"And maybe women! I'd like to kiss
a pretty maid servant" Pilzer added,
starting toward the hall.
"Stopl" cried Hugo, forcing his way
in front of Pilzer.
He was like no one Of the Hugos Of
the many parts that his comrades had
seen him play. His blue eyes had be-
come an infiexible gray. He was stand
ing half on tiptoe, his quivering
muscles in tune with the quivering
pitch OF his voice:
I'VE have no right in herel This is
a private housed"
"Out of the way, you white-livered
little rat!" cried Pilzer, '"or I'll prick
the tummy OF mammals darling!"
What happened then was so sudden
and unexpected that all were vague
about details. They saw Hugo IN
catapultic lunge, mesmeric in it's swift
ness, and they saw Pilzer go down, his
leg twisted under him and his head
banging the floor. Hugo stood, half
half frightened. yet ready
for another encounter.
Fracasse, entering at this moment
was too intent on his mission to con-
slider the rights of a personal differ
ence between two of his company.
There's work to do Out of here,
quick! We are losing valuable time!"
he announced. rounding his men to-
ward the door with commanding ges-
lures. I'VE are going in pursuit."
Marta, who had observed the latter
part OF the scene from the shadows of
the hall, knew that she should never
forget Hugos face as he turned on Pill
ger, while his voice of protest struck
a singing chord In her jangling nerves.
1t was the voice Of civilization, OF one
who could think out of the orbit of
whirlpool of passionate barbarism.
She could see that he was about to
spring and her prayer went with his
leap. She gloried in the impact that
felled the great brute with the liver
patch on his cheek, which was like a
birthmark of war.
GRO BE CoNTINUED3