Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-11-04
CHAPTER vIIl-cOntlnusd.


Now Dellarme disposed his men in
line back of the ridge of fresh earth
that they had dug In the night. ready
20 rush TO their places when he blew
the whistle that hung from his neck
bat he did not allow them a glimpse
over the crest.
II know that you are curious. but
powerful glasses are watching for you
10 show yourselves: and If battery
turned loose on US you'd understand
he explained.
Thus the hours wore on, and the
church clock struck nine and ten.
Never movement down there
called the sergeant from the crest "a
Deilarme. Maybe this is Just their
final bluff before they come to terms
about Bodlapoo"-that stretch of Az
rican jungle that seemed very far
away TO them ALL
Let US hope SOL" said Dellarme
seriously.
Choosing to go to town by the
castle road rather than down the ter.
race to the main pass road, Marta,
starting for the regular Sunday ser.
vice OF her school, as she emerged
from the grounds, saw Teller, garden.
shears in hand, figure OF stone
watching the approach OF some field.
batteries. The question OF allowing
him 10 undertake his part as a spy
had drifted into the background OF her
mind under the distressing and ever
present pressure of the crisis. He was
10 remain until there was war. She
was almost past him before he real.
ICED her presence. which he acknowl.
edged by a startled movement and a
step forward as he took on his hat.
She paused. His eyes were glowing
like Goals under blower as he looked
at her and again at the batteries.
seeming to include her with the guns
In the spell of his fervid abstraction.
Frontier closed last night to pre-
vent intelligence about our prepare.
lions leaking out--Lanny's plan all
alive-the guns coming" he said, his
shoulders stiffening his chin drawing
In. his features resolute and beamlng
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 nfantry-iield.wire laid
iald .fs4ta nh unf he,
spitting-the caiesons full--planes and
dirigibles ready --search-lights liz 20
sition--"
There the torrent Of his broken sen
fences was checked. A shadow passed
In front of him. lie came out of his
trance of imageries OF activities. 50
wildly clear "a his military mind, e
realize that Marta was abruptly leav
Ing.
Miss Gallandl" he called urgently
Firing may commence at any min
ute, You must not go into town."
But l must'" she declared, speaR
ing over her shoulder while sh,
passed. II was clear that no warnip.
would prevail against her determine,
mood.
Then shall so with you'll" he said
starting toward her with a light sites
Ii is not necessary. thank you'll
she answered. more coldly than sh
had ever spoken to him This had
magically quick effect on his att
tude
Il beg your pardon, forgot" h
explained in his old mans voice. hi
head sinking, his shoulders droopint
in the humility of a servant who rec
ognizes that he has been properly re
buked for presumption. Not CUR
ner any more-I'm u spyl" he thought
as he shuitled OF without lookini
toward the batteries again. though tn
music Of wheels and hoofs was no,
close by.
Marta had glimpse OF him a. sh
turned away, He is what he is BE-
cause of the army; u victim OF cult
q habit" she was thinking. Had h
been in any other calling his fine qua
tiles might have been OF service 10 IN
world and he would have been happy.
A company OF infantry restin
among their stacked rifles change
the color of the square in the dietauc
from the gray pavement 70 the brow
OF mass of uniforms. Ia the middl
OF the main street a major Of the br
gade stan, with a number OF junio
officers and orderlies. was evIdentl
waiting on some signal. SeRtries wer
posted at regular intervals along th
curb. The people in the houses an
shops from time to time stopped pael
ing up their effects long enough to &
20 the doors and look up and dow
apprehensively, asking bootless, ne
yous questions.
Arc they coming YETI"
DO you think they win conner"
Are you sure it's going TO be war!
win they shell the town."
"There'll be time enough for 20