The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1914-12-26

I take his place az acting major-general'
more care must be exercised in recon-
mendations for bronze crosses, lest
their value so depreciate that officers
and mon would lack incentive to win
| them
Marta was having look behind the
scenes az the fountainhead OF great
events. Power power The abeo-
lutte power or the soldier in the saddle.
with premier and government and all
the institutions of peace only dim
background for the processes Of war;
Opposite her was man who could
make and unmake not only generals
but even the destinies OF peoples, by
every sign he enjoyed his power for
It's own sake. There must be cher
OF the five millions, which we're as
moving forest OF destruction, and here
was the chief, his strength reflected
IN the strong muscles Of his short
neck as he turned his head TO listen
20 Turcas. Marta recalled the con,
trast between Westerling and Lam
stron as they faced each other after
the wreck OF the aeroplane ten years
ago; the iron inyincibility Of the
elders sturdy. mature figure and the
alert. high-strung inyinclbility of the
sughter figure of the younger man.
He had taken up a paper thought
fully after Turcas withdrew. when he
looked up 20 Marta In answer to a
move nent in her chair She had bent
forward in pose that freed her figure
from the chairback in an outline OF
suppleuess and frmness. her lips were
parted showing a faint line OF tho
white OF her teeth, and he caught her
gazing at him in a kind OF wondering
admiration. But she dropped her eye
lids instantly and said deliberately.
less TO him than to herself:
You have the gift!"
No tea-table fiattery that he knew;
only the reflection OF fact whose ex-
istence had been borne in on her by
observation,
"The gift? How?" he inquired.
speaking TO the fringe of hair that
half hid her lowered face.
She looked up. smiling brightly.
"You don't know what gift! Not
the pianist's Not the poets! Why.
OF course. the supreme gift OF cor..
mand! The thing that made you chief
OF STAN And the war goes well for
you. doesn't it2"
Delicious morsel. this. TO a councils |
seur In compliments! He tasted it |
with the Same selfsatisfied smile that |
ne had her first prophecy. To her
who had then voiced secret he had |
shared with no one. IA his chest |
swelled with full breath. he barred !
another In the delight OF the impress |
sion he had made on her
Yes. as you foresaw-as plannedl"
he said Yes. ! planned all. step by |
step. till was chief Of stan and ready. |
/ convinced the premier that II was !
time 20 strike and chose the hour to
strike, for Bodlapoo was only a CON
venient excuse for the last OF all the
steps"
The subjective enjoyment OF the |
declaration kept him from any keen |
notice OF the effect OF hts words. |
Lanny was right IL had been war
OF deliberate conquest: war to |
crafty personal ambition. All her life |
Marta would be able 20 live over again
the feelings OF this moment II was as
II she were frozen. all except brain
and nerves. which were on FIRE, while /
the rigidity OF zee kept her from
springing from her chair In contempt |
and horror But purpose came on the
~irrs OF diabollcal temptation which |
would pit the art OF woman against
the power Of a man who set millions
against millions In slaughter TO crafty
personal ambition. She was thankful
that she was looking down as she
spoke. for she could not bring herself
to another compliment. Her throat
was too chilled for that yet
The one way TO end the feud be-
tween the two nations was a war that
would mean permanent peace" he ex-
planned. seeing how quiet she was and
realizing. with a recollection OF her
oath. that he had gone n lit
tie too far. He wanted TO retain her
admiration II had become as precious
TO him as a new delicacy TO Lucullus.
Eyes. understand" she managed
TO murmur; then she was able to look
mp. It's all 30 immensel" she added.
your ideas about war seem TO be q
great deal changed" he limited
casually.
"As l expressed them at the hotel.
you meant" abe exclaimed. THAT
seems ages ago-ages!" The perplex-
ity and indecision that. in space of
silence. brooded in the depths OF her
eyes came 90 the surface In wavering
lights. yes. ogesl agesi" The waVer-
Ing lights grew dim with kind OF hor-
ror and she looked away fxedly at
given point.
lie was conscious OF a thrill; the
thrill that always presaged victory for
him. lie realized her evident dis
rpoas ha a,ttnUgoI that Nrr~tHlo !