Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-12-03

houses are safe from burglary and
pedestrians from pickpockets without
policemen? Is that it," she asked.
Yes, yes! You have it! You have
found the wheat in the chat"
Perhaps because l have been see
ing something of human nature-the
human nature of both the Browns and
the Grays at war. I have seen the
Browns throwing hand-grenades and
the Grays in wanton disorder in our
dining-room directly they were out Of
touch with their off1cers!" she said
sadly, as one who hates to accept dis
illusionment but must in the face of
logic.
Westerling made no reply except to
nod, for a movement on her part pre-
occupied him She leaned forward,
as she had when She had told him he
would become chief of staff, her hands
clasped over her knee, her eyes burn
ing with a question. 1t was the atti-
tude of the prophecy But with the
prophecy she had been a little mys-
teal; the fire in her eyes had precipi-
tated an idea. Now it forged another
question.
And you think that you will win? ?"
she asked. You think that you will
VIM" she repeated with the slow en-
phasis which demands a careful an
swer.
The deliberateness of his reply was
in keeping with her mood. He was de-
tachpd. he was a referee
Yes, | know that we shall. Mum
bers make it so, though there be no
choice of skill between the two sides"
His tone had the confidence of the
flow of a mighty river in its destina-
ton on its way to the sea- There was
nothing in it of prayer, of hope, of des-
peration, as there had been in Ian
stron's I'VE shall win!" spoken to her
in the arbor at their last interview.
She drew forward slightly in her chair
Her eyes seemed much larger and
nearer to him. They were sweeping
him up and down as if she were seeing
the slim figure of Lanstron in con-
trast to Westerling's sturdiness; as if
she were measuring the might of the
five millions behind him and the three
millions behind Lanstron. She let go
half-whispered "Yes!" which seemed
to reflect the conclusion gained from
the power of his presence.
Then my mothers and my own in
terests are with you-the interests of
peace are with you'll" she declared.
She did not appear to see the sud
den, uncontrolled CLEAN of victory in
his eyes. BY this time it had become
a habit for Westerling to wait silently
for her to come out of her abstrac-
tons. To disturb one might make it
unproductive.
Then if I want to help the cause of
peace l should help the Graysi"
The exclamation was more to her
self than to him. He was silent. This
girl in a veranda chair desiring to aid
him and his five million, bayonets and
four thousand guns, Quixote and the
wtndmills-but it was amazing; it was
/ fine! The golden glow of the sunset
was running in his veins in a paean
/ of personal triumph. The profile
+ turned ever so little. Now it was
looking at the point where Dellarme
had lain dying. Westerling noted the
smile playing on the lips. 1t had the
quality of a smile over task com
/ pleted-Dellarme's smile. She start
ed: she was trembling all over in the
/ resistance of some impulse-some i'm
/ pulse that gradually gained Roadway
+ and at last broke its bonds.
/ For l can help-I can help!" she
+ cried out, turning to him in wild in
/ decision which seemed to plead for
I guidance. Its so terrible-yet if it
would hasten peace-I-I know much
of the Browns plan of defense! /
know where they are strong in the