The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1914-12-25

4 ~
VIM" she repeated with the slow en-
phasis which demands careful an
swer.
The deliberateness of his reply was
in keeping with her mood. He was de-
tached; he was Q referee.
Eyes. I know that we shall. Mum.
bers make It so, though there be no
choice Of skill between the two Sides"
His tone had the confidence Of the
flow Of a mighty river in its destina-
tion on Its way to the sea. There was
nothing in 1t Of prayer, of hope, of des-
peration, as there had been in Ian
stron's ''We shall win!" spoken to her
in the arbor at their last interview.
She drew forward slightly in her chair.
Her eyes seemed much larger and
nearer to him. They were sweeping
him up and down as If she were seeing
the slim figure of Lanstron in con-
trast to Westerling's sturdiness; as If
she were measuring the might of the
five millions behind him and the three
millions behind Lanstron. She let go
half-whispered "Yes!" which seemed
to reflect the conclusion gained from
the power Of his presence.
"Then my mothers and my own in
terests are with you-the interests OF
peace are with you'll" she declared.
She did not appear to see the sud-
den, uncontrolled CLEAN Of victory in
his eyes. BY this time 1t had become
habit for Westerling to wait silently
for her to come out of her abstrac-
tions. To disturb one might make 1t
unproductive.
Then II I want to help the cause Of
peace I should help the Grays!"
The exclamation was more to her
self than to him. He was silent. This
girl in a veranda chair desiring to aid
him and his five million bayonets and
four thousand guns! Quixote and the
windmills- 1t was amazing; 1t was
fine! The golden glow Of the sunset
was running in his veins in paean
Of personal triumph. The profile
turned ever 80 little. Now 1t was
looking at the point where Dellarme
had lain dying. Westerling noted the
smile playing on the lips. It had the
quality of a smile over task COM
pleted--Dellarme's smile. She start
ed; she was trembling all over in the
resistance of some impulse some i'm
pulse that gradually gained headway
and at last broke its bonds.
r"For l can help-1 can help!" she
cried out, turning to him in wild in
decision which seemed to plead fol
guidance. "It's so terrible-yet If II
would hasten peace-I-I know much
Of the Browns plan Of defense!
know where they are strong in the
first line and-and one place where
they are weak there-and a place
: where they are weak in the mair
! line!"
"You dol" Westerling exploded. Tht
plans Of the enemy! The plans tha
neither Bouchard's saturnine cunning
nor bribes, nor spies could ascertain
1t was like the bugle-call to the hunter
8 But he controlled himself. "Yes, yes!'
He was thoughtful and guarded.
I do you think 1t is right to tell?
. Marta gasped half inarticulately.
= Fright? Yes, to hasten the newt
able-to save lives!" declared Westel
ling with deliberate assurance.
= IL wait to see an end of the kill
= ing! /" She sprang to her feet a
y y If about to break away tumultuously
- but paused, swaying unsteadily, an
y. Iassed her hand across her eyes.
+ 1--WE intend a general attack on tn
g first line Of defense tonight" he el
= claimed, his supreme thought leapin
q into words.
Il "And you would want the informt
q tion about the first line tonight if
r. it is to be Of service?"
7 Eyes, tonight"
IN Marta brought her hands togethe
, in tight clasp. Her gaze fiuttere
F." for a minute over the tea-table. Whe
r. she looked up her eyes were calm.
,e at is a big thing, isn0 it?" she eait
al "A thing not to be done in an impuls
try never to do big things in an in
20 pulse. When l see that l am in daI
ly ger of 1t l always say: Go by you,
ID self and think for half an hour!' So
ID must now. In little while I will le
I'd you know my decision"
ut Without further formality she star
ed across the lawn to the terrac
70 steps. Westerling watched her sharl
. ly, passing along the path Of the se'
%. ond terrace, pacing slowly, head ben
40 until she was out Of sight. Then b
ID ,tood Tor time getting grip on HI
1e own emotions before he went into tn
I'd house.
.
Ut CHAPTER XIV