The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-12-26
CHAPTER vIII-Continued.

CHAPTER vIII-Continued.
Now Dellarme disposed his men In
line back OF the ridge of fresh earth
that they had dug in the night, ready
to rush to their places when he blew
the whistle that hung from his neck,
but he did not allow them a glimpse
over the crest.
Il know that you are curious, but
powerful glasses are watching for you
to show yourselves; and IL a battery
turned loose on US you'd understand
he explained.
Thus the hours wore on, and the
church clock struck nine and ten.
Never a movement down there!"
called the sergeant from the crest to
Dellarme. Maybe this Is just their
final bluff before they come to terms
about Bodlapoo"-that stretch of AZ
rican jungle that seemed very far
away to them all.
Let US hope SOL" said Dellarme
seriously.
Choosing to 60 to town by the
castle road rather than down the ter
race to the main pass road, Marta,
starting for the regular Sunday SER
vice OF her school, as she emerged
from the grounds, saw Teller, garden
shears In hand, figure of stone
watching the approach Of some field
batteries. The question of allowing
him to undertake his part as a spy
had drifted into the background of her
mind under the distressing and ever
present pressure Of the crisis. He was
to remain until there was war. She
was almost past him before he real
lied her presence. which he acknowl-
edged by startled movement and a
step forward as he took of his hat.
She paused. His eyes were glowing
like Goals under blower as he looked
at her and again at the batteries,
seeming to include her with the guns
in the spell Of his fervid abstraction.
Frontier closed last night to pre-
vent intelligence about our prepare
tons leaking out-Lanny's plan all
aliye-the guns coming" he said, his
shoulders stiffening, his chin drawing
In, his features resolute and beaming
with the ardor Of youth in action
troops moving here and there to their
places-engineers preparing the de-
fenses-automatics at critical points
with the Observation-Disclosures laid
feld-telephones set up-the wireless
spittfng-the caissons full-planes and
dirigibles ready-search-lights In DO
sition-"
There the torrent of his broken SEN
fences was checked. A shadow passed
In front Of him. He came out of his
trance OF imageries of activities, SO
wildly clear to his military mind, to
realize that Marta was abruptly leav-
ing.
Miss Galland!" he called urgently.
Firing may commence at any min
ute. You must not 60 into town."
But ] must!" she declared. speak.
ing over her shoulder while she
passed. 1t was clear that no warning
would prevail against her determined
mood.
Then shall 60 with you'll" he said.
starting toward her with light step.
IL is not necessary, thank you!"
she answered, more coldly than she
had ever spoken to him. This had a
magically quick effect on his atti.
tude.
i beg your pardon! l forgot" he
explained In his old mans voice. his
head sinking, his shoulders drooping
In the humility Of q servant who rec.
osnizes that he has been properly re-
buked for presumption. Not a gun.
ner any more-I'm a spy!" he thought,
as he shuffled OF without looking
toward the batteries again. though the
music Of wheels and hoofs was now
close by.
Marta had a glimpse OF him as she
turned away. He Is what he is be-
cause OF the army; q victim of a cult.
. habit" she was thinking. Had he
been in any other calling his fine DUAL.
tiles might have been Of service to the
world and he would have been happy"
A company Of infantry resting
among their stacked rifles changed
the color OF the square In the distance
from the gray pavement to the brown
OF Q mass Of uniforms. In the middle
OF the main street q major of the bri-
gade stan. with number of Junior
omcers and orderlies, was evidently
waiting on some signal. Sentries were
posted at regular intervals along the
curb. The people in the houses and
shops from time to time stopped pack.
Ing up their effects long enough to 70
to the doors and look up and down
apprehensively, asking bootless, ner.
vous questions.
Are they coming YETI"
do you think they win Gomez"
&re you SURE it, going to be war;"
VIII they shell the town."
ThersT be time enough for You