Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1914-12-24

| you speak as III you thouBhs wv
we're going to lose!"
mot while many OF our soldiers are
alive. II they continue to show the
spirit that they have shown so far;
not unless two men can crush one
man in the automatic-gun-recoil age.
But La Tir IL in a tangent and already
in the Grays' possession. while we act
on the defensive. SO should hardly
be flying over your garden again"
But there's the telephone. Lanny.
and here we are talking over It this
very minutel" she expostulated.
"You must remove IT," he said. "If
the Grays should discover 1t they
might form q suspicion that would put
you In an unpleasant position"
The telephone had become almost
familiar institution in her thoughts.
Its secret had something Of the fasci-
nation for her of magic.
"Nonsense!" she exclaimed. Il am
going to be very lonely. want to
learn how Teller 10 doing-I want to
chat with you. So decide not to let
It be taken out. And, you see, have
the tactical situation, as you soldiers
call It, all In my favor. The work
Of removal must be done at my end
OF the line. You're quite helpless to
enforce your wishes. And, Lanny, II
l ring the bell you'll answer, won't
your"
II couldn't help I'll" he replied.
until then! You've been fine about
everything today"
until them"
When Marta left the tower she knew
only that she was weary with the
mind-weariness, the body-weariness,
the nerve-weariness Of spectator who
has shared the emotion of every actor
in a drama Of death and finds the ex-
element that has kept her tense no
longer sustaining force.
As she went along the path, steps
uncertain from sheer fatigue, her SEN
sibilities livened again at the sight of
picture. War, personal war, in the
form Of the giant Stransky, was knock
ing at the kitchen door. His two-dayg-
old beard was matted with dust and
there were dried red spatters on his
cheek. Wars furnace flames seemed
to have tanned him; war seemed to
be breathing from his deep chest; his
big nose was wars promontory. But
the unexposed space Of his forehead
seemed slngular1y white when he took
off his cap as Minna came in answer
to his knock. Her yielding lips were
parted, her eyes were bright with In
quiry and suspicion, her chin was
firmly set.
I came to see II you would let me
kiss your hand again." said Stransky,
squirting through his brows wistfully.
II see your nose has been broken
once. You don't want 1t broken Sec
ond time. I'm stronger than you
Think" Minna retorted, and held out
her hand carelessly as If it pleased
her to humor him.
He was rather graceful. despite his
size, as he touched his lips to her fin |
gers. Just as he raised his head
burst of cheering rose from the yard.
$50 you've found that we have gone,
you brilliant intellects!" he shouted,
and glared at the wall Of the house in |
the direction of the cheers.
Quick! You have no time to lose!"
Minna warned him.
Quick! quick!" cried Marta.
Stransky paid no attention to the |
urgings. He had something more to
say to Minna.
I'm going to keep thinking of you |
and seeing your face-the face of a |
good woman-while fight. And when |
the war Is over, may I come to calf"
he asked.
His feet were SO resolutely planted |
on the flags that apparently the only |
way to move them was to consent.
Eyes, yes!" said Minna. Nov.
hurry!"
Say, but you make me happy!
Watch me poke it into the Grays for
you'll" he cried and bolted.
Within the kitchen Mrs. Galland
was already slumbering soundly in
her chair. Overhead Marta heard the
EXPLANATIONS of male voices and the
tread Of what was literally the heel
Of the conqueror-guests that had
come without asking! Intruders that
had entered without any process of
law! Would they overrun the house,
her mothers room, her own room?
Indignation brought fresh strength
as she started up the stairs. The
head Of the flight gave on to a dark
part of the hall. There she paused,
held by the scene that q score or
more Gray soldiers, who had riotously
crowded into the dining-room, were
enacting. They we're members Of
Fracasses company Of the Grays
whom Marta had seen from her win
dow the night before rushing across