Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-09-25

Frontier closed last night to pre-
vent intelligence about our prepare
tions leaking out--Lanny's plan all
alive--the guns coming" he said, his
shoulders stiffening. his chin drawing
in, his features resolute and bcaming
with the ardor of youth in action
troops moving here and there to their
places-engineers preparing the de-
fenses-automatics at critical points
with the infantry-feld.wires laid
field.telephones set up-the wireless
spitting-the caissons full-planes and
dirlgibles ready-search.lights In po
sition-"
There the torrent Of his broken sen.
fences was checked. A shadow passed
in front of him. He came out of his
trance of imageries of activities, SO
wildly clear to his military mind. to
realize that Marta was abruptly leav'
ing.
Miss Galland!" he called urgently,
Firing may commence at any min
ute. You must not 90 into town."
but mustl" she declared, speak.
ing over her shoulder while she
passed. 1t was clear that NO warning
would prevail against her determined
mood.
, "Then shall 60 with you!" he said,
starting toward her with light step.
I, 1T is not necessary, thank you!"
,she answered, more coldly than she
had ever spoken to him. This had a
magically quick effect on his atti'
;tude.
II beg your pardon! I forgot" ne
explained in his old mans voice. his
head sinking. his shoulders dropping
in the humility Of a servant who rec.
,ognizes that he has been properly re
buked for presumption. Not gun
ner any more-I'm spy!" he thought
as he shuffied off without looking
toward the batteries again, though the
music Of wheels and hoofs was now
close by.
Marta had . glimpse Of him as she
turned away. "He is what he is be.
cause of the army; victim Of cult,
a habit" she was thinking. Had he
been in any other calling his fine quail
tiles might have been Of service to the
world and he would have been happy"
A company Of infantry resting
among their stacked rifles changed
the color of the square in the distance
from the gray pavement to the brown
of mass Of uniforms. In the middle
ct the main street q major of the bri'
gade staff, with number Of junior
officers and orderlies, was evidently
waiting on some signal. Sentries were
posted at regular intervals along the
curb. The people in the houses and
shops from time to time stopped pack.
ing up their effects long enough to go
to the doors and look up and down
apprehensively. asking bootlcss. ner.
vous questions.
Are they coming YETI"
DO you think they will Gomez"
Are you sure it's going to be war;"
will they she'll the town."
"There'll be time enough for you
to get away" shouted the major. "All
we know is what is written in our in.
structions, ana we shall act on them
when the thing starts. Then we are
in command. Meanwhile, get ready"
Then the major became aware OF a
young woman who was going in the
wrong direction. Her cheeks were
flushed from her rapid walk, her lips
were parted. showing firm. white
teeth, and her black eyes were re-
garding him in blaze of satire or
amusement: an emotion, whatever it
was, that thoroughly centered his at
tention.
"Mademoiselle, am very sorry. but
unless you live in this direction" he
said very politely, you may not go any
farther. Until we have other orders
or they attack every one is supposed
to remain in his house CT rs Place CT
business"
This is my place OF business!"
Marta answered, for she was already
opposite small, disused chapel which
was her schoolroom, where half
dozen of the faithful children were
gathered around the masculine impor.
lance of Jacky Werther. one Of the
older boys.
Then you are Miss Galland!" said
the major, enlightened. His smile had
an appreciation Of the irony of her oc.
cupation at that moment. Your chill
dren are very loyal. They would not
tell me where they lived, 50 We had
to let them stay there"
Those who have homes" she said.
Identifying each one Of the faithful
with glance. have SO many broth
ers and sisters that they will hardly
be missed from the flock. Others
have no homes-at least not much Of q
one"-here her temper rose again
taxes being so high in order that you
may organize murder and the destruc-
ton Of property
Now really, Miss Galland." he be-
gan solicitously, II have been assigned
to move the civil population in case of
attack. Your children ought
after school! You have your duty
this morning and have mine!" Marta
interrupted pleasantly, and turned
toward the chapel.
They are putting sharpshooters in
the church tower to get the aero
planes, and there are lots of the little
guns that fire bullets so fast you can't
count 'em-and little spring wagons
with dynamite to blow things up
and" Jacky Werther ran on in a
series Of vocal explosions as Marta
opened the door to let the children
60 In.
yet you camel" said Marta with q
hand caressinxly on his shoulder.