Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-12-23
CHAPTER XVI.
MARKING Time.

Soon after dark the attack began.
Flashes from gun mouths and glow
Ing sheets Of fame from rifles made
ugly revelry, while the beams OF
sear'trlights swept hither and thither.
This kept up till shortly after mid
night, when 1t died down and, where
hells concert had ragged, silent dark
ness shrouded the hills. Marta knew
that Bordir was taken without having
to ask Lanstron or wait for confirma-
ton from Westerling.
She was seated in the recess OF the
arbor the next morning, when she
heard the approach of those regular
powerful steps whose character had
become as distinct to her as those
OF member OF her own family. Five
against three! five against three! they
were saying to her; while down the
pass road and the castle road ran the
stream of wounded from last nights
slaughter.
Posted In the drawing-room Of the
Galland house we're the congratula-
lions of the premier to Westerling,
who had come from the atmosphere OF
staff that accorded to him a mill
tary insight far above the analysis OF
ordinary standards. But he was too
clever a man to vaunt his triumph.
He knew how to carry his honors.
He accepted success as his due, in a
matter-of-course manner that must in
spire confidence in further success.
you were right" he said to Marta
easily. pleasantly. I'VE did tive did
tive took Bordir with loss of only
twenty thousand men!"
Only twenty thousandl Her revul-
sion at the bald statement was re-
lieved by the memory of Lannys word
over the telephone after breakfast that
the Browns had lost only five thou
sand. -Four to one was a wide ratio,
she was thinking.
Then the end-then peace is so
much nearer2" she asked.
Very much nearer!" he answered
earnestly, as he dropped on the bench
beside her.
He stretched his arms out on the
back OF the seat and the relaxed atti.
tude. unusual with him, brought into
relief new trait of which she had
been hitherto oblivious. The con.
queror had become simply a compan-
ionable man. Though he was not sit
ting close to her, yet. as his eyes met
hers, she had a desire to move away
which she knew would be unwise to
crafty. She was conscious OF Ger.
tain softening charm, a magnetism
that she had sometimes felt in the
days when she first knew him. She
realized. too, thee then the charm had
not been mixed with the indescribable,
intimate quality that it held now.
In the midst of congratulations
after the position was taken last
night" he declared. Il confess that /
was thinking less of success than of
its source" lie bent on her a look
that was warm with gratitude.
She lowered her lashes before It;
efore gratitude that made her part
ppear in fresh angle of misery.
There seems to be kind of IA
tality about our relations" he went on.
Il lay awake bordering it last night.
His tone held more than gratitude. 1t
had the elation Of discovery.
He is going to make It harder than
ever guessed" echoed her own
thought, in fiutter Of confusion.
Yes. ii was strange our meeting on
the frontier In peace and then in warl"
she exclaimed at random. The sound
OF the remark struck her as too sub.
dued; as expectant, when her purpose
was one Of careless depreciation.
I have met a great many women,
as you may have imagined" he pro.
ceeded. They have passed in review.
They were simply women, witty and
fral or dull and beautiful, and one
meant no more to me than another
Nothing meant anything to me except
my profession. But never forgot you
You planted something In mind; q
memory OF real eompanionship."
"Yes, made the prophecy that
came truel" she put IN. This ought
to bring him back to himself and his
ambitions. she thought.
/ "Yesl" he exclaimed, his body stir
fleming free OF the back Of the seat
You realized what was in me- You
| foresaw the power which was to be
mine, The fate that first brought US