The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-11-27
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Change Of Plan.

AoS dAy anu luO ACAI w
had no time for strolling in the gar
den. His only exercise was a few
periods of pacing on the veranda. Tur-
cas-, as tirelessly industrious as ever,
developed an increasingly quiet insist
ence to leave the responsibility Of de-
cisions about everything of Importance
to a chief who was becoming increas-
ingly arbitrary. The attack on Enga-
dir being the Jewel of Westerling's
own planning, he was disinclined to
risk success by delegating authority,
which also meant sharing the glory Of
victory.
Bouchard's note, though officially dis
missed as a matter Of pathology, would
not accept dismissal privately. In
flashes of distinctness 1t required to
him between reports of the progress
of preparations and directions as to
dispositions. At dusk of the second
day, when all the guns and troops had
their places for the final movement un-
der cover of darkness and he rose
from his desk, the thing that had
edged its way into a crowded mind
took possession of the premises that
strategy and tactics had vacated. 1t
passed under the same analysis as his
work. His overweening pride, so SEN
sitive to the suspicion of a conviction
that he had been fooled, put his rela-
lions with Marta in logical review. He
had fallen in love in the midst of war.
A cool and intense impatience pos
sessed him to study her in the light
OF his new skepticism, when, turning
the path Of the first terrace, he saw
her Watching the sunset over the crest
Of the range.
She was standing quite still, slim,
soft shadow between him and the light,
which gilded her figure and quarter
profile. Did she expect him? he won
dered. Was she posing at that in
slant for his benefit? When she
turned, her face in the shadow, the
glow Of the sunset seemed to remain
in her eyes, otherwise without express
sion, yet able to detect something un-
usual under externals as they ex-
changed commonplace of greeting.
'Well, there's a change in our off,
Cial family. We have lost Bouchard-
transferred to another post!" said
Westerling.
Marta noted that, though he gave
the news q casual turn, his scrutiny
sharpened.
els that SO? / can't say that my
mother and shall be sorry" she re-
marked. "He was always glazing at
us as If he wished US out of sight.
Indeed, If he had his way, think he
would have made us prisoners of war.
Wasn't he a woman-hater?" she con,
cluded, half in irritation, half in
amusement.
"He had that reputation" said Wes-
terling. What do you think led to
mis- departure?" he continued.
II confess cannot guess!" said
Marta, with look at the sunset glow
as II she resented the loss OF a min.
ute Of 1t.
There has been a leak Of informa.
ton to the Browns!" he announced.
There hasI And he was intelli.
genee officer, wasn't her" she asked
turning to Westerllng. her curiosity
apparently aroused as a matter Of cour
tesy to his own interest in the sub
iect.
who do you think he accused
Why, YOU" he added. with a peculiar
laugh.
She noted the popularity of the
laugh Discriminatory.
"Ohl' Her eyes opened wide IN
wonder-only wonder. at first. Then
as comprehension took the place OF
wonder. they grew sympathetic. THAT
sxplains!" she exclaimed. His hate
full glanceB were those OF delusion. He
was going mad. you meant
YES" said Westerling. "that-thal
would explain It'll"
II have been told that when people
10 mad they always ascribe every In.
fury done to them to the person who
happens to have excited their dislike, n
she unused.
which seems to have been the casa