Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1914-12-31


sance in force. however costly: the
rapid-nrers OF the 18th Division would
be transferred to the Goth; despite the
37th Brigade's losses, II would still
form the advance; General so-and-So
would be superseded after his failure
of yesterday; Colonel So-and-So would
take his place as acting majorgeneral;
more care must be exercised in recon-
mendations for bronze crosses, lest
their value so depreciate that officers
and men would lack incentive TO win
/ them.
Marta was having q look behind the
scenes at the fountainhead of great
events. Powerl powerl The abso-
Lutte power OF the soldier in the saddle.
with premier and government and all
the institutions of peace only dim
background for the processes OF warl
Opposite her was a man who could
make and unmake not only generals
but even the destinies Of peoples. BY
every sign he enjoyed his power for
its own sake. There must be q chief
of the FIVE millions, which were as
moving forest OF destruction. and here
was the chief, his strength reflected
in the strong muscles Of his short
neck as he turned his head to listen
to Turcas. Marta recalled the con-
trast between Westerling and Lam
stron as they faced each other after
the wreck of the aeroplane ten years
ago; the iron invincibility of the
elders sturdy, mature figure and the
alert, high-strung invincibility of the
sllghter figure of the younger man.
He had taken up paper thought
fully after Turcas withdrew, when he
looked up to Marta in answer to a
movement in her chair. She had bent
forward in a pose that freed her figure |
from the chairback in an outline OF
suppleness and firmness; her lips were |
parted, showing q faint line OF the |
white of her teeth, and he caught her |
gazing at him in kind Of wondering |
admiration. But she dropped her eye
lids Instantly and said deliberately.
less to him than to herself:
you have the gift!"
No tea-table flattery that, he knew;
only the reflection Of a fact whose ex-
istence had been borne in on her by
observation.
THE gift? How?" he inquired,
speaking to the fringe Of hair that
half hid her lowered face.
She looked up, smiling brightly.
you don't know what gift! Not
the pianists! Not the poets! Why,
of course, the supreme gift of COM
mand! The thing that made you chief
of staff! And the war goes well for
you, doesn't it,"
Delicious morsel, this, to connois-
seur in compliments! He tasted 1t
with the same self-satisfied smile that
he had her first prophecy. To her
who had then voiced secret he had
shared with no one, as his chest
swelled with q full breath, he barred
another in the delight Of the impress
sion he had made on her.
Eyes, asyuu foresaw-as I planned!"
he said. Eyes, planned all. step by
step, till was chief Of staff and ready.
/ convinced the premier that it was
time to strike and chose the hour to
strike; for BodlapOo was only con-
venient excuse for the last Of all the
steps,"
The subjective enjoyment Of the
kept him from any keen
notice of the effect of his words.
Lanny was right. 1t had been war
of deliberate conquest; a war to
crafty personal ambition. All her life
Marta would be able to live over again
the feelings Of this moment It was as
II she were frozen, all except brain
and nerves, which were on fire, while
the rigidity Of tee kept her from
springing from her chair in contempt
and horror. But a purpose came on the
wings of diabolical temptation which
would pit the art Of woman against
the power of a man who set millions
against millions in slaughter to crafty
personal ambition. She was thankful
that she was looking down as she
spoke, for she could not bring herself
to another compliment. Her throat
was too chilled for that yet. q
"The one way to end the feud be-
tween the two nations was war that
would mean permanent peace" he ex-
planned, seeing how quiet she was and
realizing, with a recollection Of her s
children's oath, that he had gone a lit r
tie too far. He wanted to retain her I
admiration. It had become as precious
to him as a new delicacy to Lucullus.
Eyes, understand" she managed ,
to murmur; then she was able to look
up. Its all so immense!" she added. l
"Your ideas about war seem to be b
great deal changed" he limited O
d
AS l expressed them at the hotel. v
you meant" she exclaimed. THAT p