Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-12-30
CHAPTER xvl-cOnti1usd.

CHAPTER NVl-Contiaued.
This is like you--like what ] want
you to bel" he said. You are right"
He caught her hand. inclosing ii en-
tirely in his grip. and she was sen
slble, I'm a kind of dazed horror, of the
thrill Of his strength. "NothiIH can
stop usl Numbers will winl Hard
fighting In the mercy OF quick end"
he declared with his old rightly Of
FIVE against three which was welcome
TO her. Then" he added - "and
then"
Them" she repeated. ayerting her
glance Then" There the devil
ended the sentence and she withdrew
her hand and felt the relief Of one es.
Gaping suffocatlon. to fnd that he had
realized that anything further during
that interview would DO banality and
was rising to go.
Il don't feel decent" she thought.
Society turned on Minna for hui
man weakness, but I'm not human
beingl am one OF the pawns of the
machine of warl"
Walking slowly with lowered head
as she left the arbor, she almost ran
into Bouchard. who apologIzed with
the single word "Pardonl" as he lifted
his cap in overdone courtesy. which
his Stolid breyity made the more con.
Bpicuous
Miss Galland. you seem lost In alb
straction." he said In sudden loquac-
ity. u am almost on the point OF
accusing you of being poet"
"Acousing!" she replied. "Then you
must think that would write bad
poetry"
ION the contrary, should seq ex
cellent-using the sonnet FORM" ea re
turned.
u might make counter aecusa-
ton, only that yours would be the
epic form. answered Marta For you,
too seem fond of rambling"
There was a yelled challenge IN the
hawk eyes, which she met with com
monplace politeness In hers, before
be again lifted his cap aud proceeded
on his way.
W tAAN hN@k wv NtthH AATlA role
resolved itself into a kind of routine.
Their cramped quarters became
refuge to Marta In the trial OF her
secret work under the very nose of
the stan. With little Clarissa Eileen.
they formed the only feminine society
In the neighborhood On sunshiny
days Mrs Galland was usually to be
found in her favorite chair outside
the tower door; and here Minna set
the urn on a table at four.thirty as in
the old days.
No member OF the stan was more
frequently present at Marta's teas
than Bouchard. who was develoninr
his social Instinct late in life by sit
ting in the background and allowing
Others 10 do the talking while he
watched and listened. In his hearing.
Marts's attitude toward the progress
of the war was sympathetic but never
interrogatory, while she shared atten.
tion with Clarissa Eileen. who was IN
danger of becoming spoiled BY officers
who had children of their own Mt home
After the reports of killed and wound
ed, which came with such appallinq
regularity. II was relief TO hear or
the days casualties among Clarissa's
dolls. The chief Of Transportation
and supply rode her on his shoulder;
the chief of tactics played hide.and.
seek with her; the chief engineer
built her doll house OF stones with
his own hands; and the chief medical
officer was as concerned when she
cs.ught cold Rs II the health OF the
army were at stake
We mustn't get too set up over all
this attention. Clarissa Eileen. my ri
val" said Marta TO the child. You
are the only little girl and l am the
only big girl within reach. II there
were lots Of Others It would be diff.
ferent"
Bouchard was losing flesh: his eyes
were sinking deeper under a heavier
frown. His duty being 70 get infor-
nation, he was gaining none His
duty being to keep the Grays' secrets,
there was a leak somewhere in his
own department. He quizzed subordi-
mates; he made abrupt transfers, to no
avail
Meanwhile. the Grays were taking
the approaches to the main line of
defense. which had been thought rela.
lively immaterial but had been found
shrewdly placed and their Vulnerable.
ity orerestimated The thunders Of
batteries hammering them became a
routine Of existence. like the passing
Of trains to one living near railroad.
The guns went on while tea was be-