Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-10-28


posal. The vice-chief was drumming
on the table edge and looking steadily
at point in front OF his fingers. II
Lanstron resigned he became chief.
"Partow might have this dream be-
fore he won, but would he now?"
asked the vice-chief mo. He would
go on!"
EYES," said another officer. "The
world will ridicule the suggestion; our
people will overwhelm US with their
anger. The Grays will take it for a
sign Of weakness"
Not If We put the situation rightly
to Them" answered Lanstron. mot
II we go to them as brave adversary
to brave adversary, in fair spirit"
eve can-we shall take the range!"
the vice-chief went on in burst Of
rigid conviction when he saw that
opinion was with him. Nothing can
stop this army now!" He struck the
table edge with his fist, his shoulders
stiffening.
"Please-please, dont!" implored
Marta softly. 1T sounds SO hike Wes-
terling!"
The vice-chief started as if he had
received sharp pin-prick His shout
ders unconsciously relaxed. He began
a fresh study Of certain point on the
table top. Lanstron, looking first at
one and then at another, spoke again,
his words as measured as they ever
had been In military discussion and
eloquent. He began outlining his own
message which would go with Partow's
to the premier, to the nation, to every
regiment of the Browns, to the Grays,
to the world. He set forth why the
Browns, after tasting the courage of
the Grays, should realize that they
could not take their range. Partow
had not taught him to put himself in
other mems places in vain. The boy
who had kept up his friendship with
engine drivers after he was an officer
know how to sink the plummet into
human emotions. He reminded the
Brown soldiers that there had been
providential answer to the call Of
God with us!" he reminded the pee
pie Of the lives that would be lost to
no end but to engender hatred; he
begged the army and the people not
to break faith with that principle Of
Not for theirs, but for ours" which
had been their strength.
II should like you all to sign ito
make it simply the old form Of the
staff has the honor to report" he said
finally.
There was a hush as he finished
the hush Of deep impression when
one man waits for another to speak.
All were looking at him except the
vice-chief, who was still staring at the
table as If he had heard nothing. Yet
every word was etched on his mind.
The man whose name was the symbol
of victory to the soldiers, who would
be more than ever hero as the news
Of his charge with the African Braves
travelled along the lines, would go on
record to his soldiers as saying that
they could not take the Gray range.
This was a handicap that the vice.
chief did not care to accept: and he
knew how to turn phrase as we'll as
to make soldierly decision. He
looked up smilingly to Marta
II have decided that had rather
not be Westerllng, Miss Galland."
he said. well make 1t unanimous.
And you." he burst out to Lanstron-
you legatee Of old Partow; I've al.
ways said that he was the biggest man
of our time. He has proved it by
catching the spirit of our time and in
carnating it,
Vaguely. in the whirl Of her Joy,
Marta heard the chorus Of assent as
the officers sprang to their feet in the
citation of being at one with their chief
again. Lanstron caught her arm. fear
ing that she was going to fall. but a
burning question rose in her mind to
steady her.
"Then my shame-my sending men
to slaughter-my sacrifice was not in
vain?" she exclaimed.
The sea of people packed in the
great square of the Brown capital
made roar like the thunder of waves
against a breakwater at sight Of
white spot on background Of gray
stone, which was the head of an emf
nent statesman.
1T looks as II our government
would last the week out" the premier
chuckled as he turned to his colleagues
at the cabinet table.
AS yet only the brief bulletins whose
publication in the newspapers had
aroused the public to a frenzy had
been received. The cabinet, as eager
for details as the press, had remained
up, awaiting a fuller official account.
I'VE have a long communication in
preparation, the staff had teiegraphed.
Meanwhile, the following is submit
ted"
Good heavens! It's not from the
army! It's from the gravel" ex-
claimed the premier as he read the
first paragraphs Of Partow's message.
"Of all the concealed dynamite ever!"
he gasped as he grasped the full mean
ing of the document, that piece of
news, as staggering as the victory It,
self, that had lain in the staff vaults
for years. well, we needn't give 1t
out to the press; at least, not until
after mature consideration" he de-
clared when they had reached the end
of Partow's appeal. Nov we'll hear
what the staff has to say for itself
after gratifying the wish OF dead
man." he added as messenger gave
him another sheet.
Ur,h. stoN In loyaltv tn its dead