Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-12-10
CHAPTER XV-contlnued.

"Yes?" the monosyllable was de-
tached, dismal, labored. "a woman
can be that" she exclaimed in an IN
certain tone, which grew into the dis
traction Of clipped words and broken
sentences. "A woman play-acting-a
woman acting the most revolving by
pocrisy-infuences the issue between
two nations! Her deceit deals in the
lives of sons precious to fathers and
mothers, the fate of frontiers, of insti-
tutiOnsi Think of it! Think of ma
chimes costing countless miIlions-ma-
chimes Of flesh and blood, with their
destinies shaped by one little bit of
lying information! Think Of the folly
OF any civilization that stakes it's tTi-
umphs on such a gamble! Am I not
right? Isn't it true? Isn't it?"
Eyes, yes, Marta! But" If
she were weakening it was not his
place to try to strengthen her purpose
1T viii the sooner end fighting,
won't it, Lanny?" she asked in a
small, tense voice.
"Yes."
And the only real end that means
real peace is to prove that the weak
can hold back the strong from their
threshold?"
Yes"
Even now Westerling might be on
the veranda, perhaps waiting for news
that would enable him to crush the
weak; to prove that the law of five
pounds of human flesh against three,
and five bayonets against three, is the
law of civilization.
Eyes, yes, yes!" The construction
was gone from her throat; there was
a drum-beat in her soul. Depend on
me, Lanny!" 1t was FelIer's favorite
phrase spoken by the one who was to
take his place. Yes, I'm ready to
make any sacrifice now. For what am
I? What is one woman compared to
such a purpose? l don't care what is
said of me or what becomes of me if
we can win! Good-by, Lanny, till I
call you up again! And God with us! q"
God with us!" as Partow had said,
over and over. The saying had come
to be repeated by hard-headed, agnos-
tic staff-oficers, who believed that the
deity had no relation to the efficiency
of gun-fire. The Brown infantrymen
even were beginning to mutter it in
the midst of action.
Waiting on the path of the second
terrace for Westerling to come, Marta
realized the full meaning of her task.
Day in and day out she was to have
suspense at her elbow and the horror
of hypocrisy on her conscience, the
while keeping her wits nicely bal
anced. When she saw Westerling APP
pear on the yeranda and start over the
lawn she felt dizzy and uncertain OF
her capabilities.
Il have considered all that you have
said for my guidance and l have de-
cided," she began.
She heard her own voice with the
relief of a singer in a debut who, with
knees shaking, finds that her notes
are true. She was looking directly
ut Westerling in profound seriousness.
Though knees shook, lips and chin
could aid eyes in revealing the pain.
full fatigue of Q battle that had ragged
in the mind OF a woman who went
away for half an hour to think for
herself.
Il have concluded" she went on
that it is an occasion for the sac
rifice Of private ethics to a great pur
pose. the sooner to end the slaugh
ter
"Au true!" whispered an inner
voice It's tone was Lanny's, in the
old days of their comradeship. 1t gave
her strength. All true!
Yes, an end-a speedy end" said
Westerling with fine, infiexibIe EN-
phasis THAT is your prayer and
mine and the prayer of all lovers OF
humanity"
1T is little that I know, but such
as It is you shall have II, 4" she began
conscious of his guarded scrutiny.
When sne told him of Bordir, the
weak point in the first line of the
Browns defense, she noted no change
in his steady look; but with the men
ton of Engadir in the main line she
detected CLEAN in his eyes that had
the merciless delight of a cutting
edge of steel. Z have made my sac
ritice to some purpose? The infor
nation is worth something to you?'
she asked wistfully.
Yes. yes! Yes, it promises that
way" he replied thoughtfully.
Quietly he began a considerate cate
chism. Soon she was subtly under
standing that her answers lacked the
convincing details that he sought
She longed to avert her eyes from his
for an instant. but she knew that this
would be fatal She felt the force Of