Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-11-06

10 80 "hC ha1 hohNNh N8S
excitement from a distance. appeared,
forcing a gap for his passage through
the crowd with sharp words. He, too.
recognized Lanstron. After they had
shaken hands, the colonel scowled as
he heard the situation explained, with
the old sergeant. still holding fast to
Stransky's collar, a capable and in
sistent witness for the prosecution;
while Stransky, the fire in his eyes
dying to Goals. stared straight ahead.
1T is only a suggestion, of course"
said Lanstron, speaking quite as a
spectator to avoid the least indication
of interference with the colonels au-
thority, but it seems possible that
Stransky has clothed his wrongs in a
garb that could never set we'll on his
nature if he tried to wear it in prac-
tice. He is really an individualist En-
ragged, he would fight well. | should
like nothing better than a force OF
Stranskys if had to defend a redoubt
in last stand"
Yes, he might fight" The colonel
looked hard at Stransky's rigid profile,
with its tight lips and chin as firm as
II cut out of stone. You never know
who will fight in the pinch, they say.
But that's speculation. It's the ex-
ample that have to deal with"
He is not Of the insidious, plotting
type. He spoke his mind openly" sug-
gested Lanstron. 'If you give him the
limit of the law. why, he becomes a
martyr to persecution. l should say
J that his remarks might pass for bar
rack-room gassing."
Very WELL" said the colonel, taking
the shortest way out of the difficulty,
I'VE will excuse the first offense"
Eyes, sir!" said the sergeant me-
chanically as he released his grip OF
the offender. 1--WE had two anarchists
in my company in Africa" he observed
In loyal agreement with orders. They
fought like devils. The only trouble
was to keep them from shooting limo
cent natives for sport"
Stranskys collar was still crumpled
on the nape Of his neck. He remained
stock-still, staring down the bridge oil
his nose. For full minute he did not
vouchsafei so much as a glance upward
over the change in his fortunes. Their
he looked around at Lanstron glover
ingly.
81 know who you are!" he said
you were born in the purple. You
have had education, opportunity, posi-
tion-everything that you and YOU
kind want to keep for your kind. You
are smarter than the others. Yor
would hang a man with spider webb
instead of hemp. But l won't fight FOL
you! No. WON'T"
He threw back his head with a de
termination in his defiance so intens,
that it had certain kind OF dignity
that freed it of theatrical affectation.
yes. l was fortunate; but perhaps
nature was not altogether unk1nd tt
you" said Lanstron. I'm Napoleoni'
times, Stransky, l think you nigh
even have carried a marshal's baton IL
your knapsack."
"You-what rot" A sort Of triumph
played around Stransky's full lips ant
his jaw shot out challengingly. mo
never against my comrades on the 9th
er side of the border!" he concluded
his logged stare returning.
Now the colonel gave the order t.
fall in; the bugle sounded and the cen
tipede's legs began to assemble on tn,
road. But Stransky remained statue
his rifle untouched ON the sward. H,
seemed of mind to let the regimen
go on without him.
"Stransky, fall I'M" called the ser
geant
Still Stransky did not move. A com
rade picked up the rifle and fairl.
thrust 1t into his hands.
Come on, Bert, and knead dougl
with the rest of us!" he whispered
Come on! Cheer up!" Evidently hi
comrades liked Stransky.
mol" roared Stransky, bringing tn,
: rife down on the ground with heav,
blow.
CTO BE CONTINUED)