Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1914-12-23

his rise and she had heard. too. things
about him which a girl OF twenty-seyen
can better understand than q girl of
seventeen. His reason for wanting to
see her he had said was to renew an
old acquaintance" He could have LIT.
tie interest in her, and her interest In
him was that he was head OF the Gray
army. His work had intimate relation
to that which the Marta OF twenty
seven. Marta with a mission. had set
for herself
page came to tell Westerling that
Miss Galland would be down directly.
When she appeared she crossed. the
room with flowing, spontaneous vital.
ity that appealed to him as something
familiar
Ten years. isn't it," she exclaimed
as she seated herself on the other side
OF the tea-table. Ard, let me see. you
took two Jumps, if remember"
None now" he said
do you find it fattening?" she
asked
lie recognized the mischievous
sparkle of the eyes, the quizzical turn
of the lips. which was her asset In
keeping any question from being per
sonal. Nevertheless, he flushed nlightly.
"A change of TASTE" he averred.
Since you've become such a great
man" she hazarded. Us that too
strong?" This referred to the tea.
No, just right" he nodded.
lie was studying her with the polite.
yelled scrutiny of a man Of the world.
A materialist, he would look a woman
over as he would soldier when he
had been majorgeneral making an
inspection. She was slim, supple; ne
liked slim, supple women Yes. she
was twenty-seven, with the yivacity OF
seventeen retained. though she wero
on the edge OF being an old maid ac-
cordlng to the conventional notions.
Necks and shoulders that happened TO
be at his side at dinner, he had found.
when they were really beautiful. we're
not averse to his glance OF appreci-
alive and discriminating admiration OF
physical charm. But he saw her
shrug slightly and caught spark from
her eyes that made him vaguely con-
scious OF an offense to her sensibili-
ties, and he was wholly conscious that
the suggestion. bringing his faculties
mp sharply. had the pleasure of novel
sensation.
How fast you have gone aheadr'-
she said. That little prophecy OF
mine did come true You are chief OF
staff!"
After a smile OF satisfaction be cor
rected her.
Not quite; vice-chief-the right
hand man Of His Excelleucy. I am a
buffer between him and the heads OF
divisions. This has led tG the erroue-
0us assumption which cannot too
forcibly deny"
He was proceeding with the phrase
Dlogy habitual whenever men or won.
en-, to fiatter him. had intimated that
they realized that he was the actual
mead OF the army. His Excellency.
with the prestige Of a career. must be
sept sOporifcally enjoying the forms
of authority. To arouse his jealousy
might curtail Westerling's actual
power
Yes, yes!" breathed Marta softly.
irching her eyebrows trine as she
would when looking all around and
through q thing or when she found
any one beating about the bush. The
little frown disappeared and she
smiled Understa 1dingly. you know
m not perfect goose," she added
Had you been made chief of staff in
oil t,n Ill
have been in the sulks and the young
generals Jealous" she continued THE
one way that you might have the
power to- exercise was by proxy"
This downright frankuess was an
other reflection Of the old days before
he was at the apex OF the pyramid.
Now II was so unusual in his expert
ence as 10 be almost a shock on tho
point OF arguing, he caught a mis-
chieyous. delightful Isn't that soP' IA
her eyes. and replied
Yes. shouldn't wonder n 10 weee,"
Why shouldn't ne admit the tr,ith TO
the ono who had rung the bell % MS
secret ombitlou long ago by recoCniz-
ing in him the ability to reach his
the situation.
1T wasn't so very hard 20 say was
it2' sho asked happily. I'm resDouse 10
his smile Then. her gift OF putting
herself in another's place. while she
strove 70 look az things with his pur.
Dose and vision. In fuil play. she went
on In different tone. a. much To her.
self az % him You have hborod 20
make yourself master OF mighty or.
ganizaton. You did not care for the
non-csscutials. You wanted tho reality
oG shaping results"
Eyes, the results. the Dower,' be
exclaimed
Fifteen hundred reglmonts!" she
continued thoughtfuly. looking at a
given point rather than a him Every
regiment blade which YOU would