Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1914-11-19

dirigibles ready-senrch'iiGhfs In po-
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. 80
vividly clear to his military mind. to
realize that Marta was abruptly leav-
ing.
miss Gallandi" he called urgently.
Firing may commence at any min
ute. You must not so into town..
But mustl" she declared. speak
ing over her shoulder while she
passed. II was clear that no warning
would prevail against her determined
mood.
Then I shall 60 with you'll" he said.
starting toward her with a light step.
1T is not necessary. thank you'll"
she answered, more coldly than she
had ever spoken to him., This had q
magically quick effect on his atti-
tude.
81 beg your pardoni forgotl" he
explained in his old mans voice. his
head sinking, his shoulders dropping
in the humility Of q servant who rec
ognizes that he has been properly re-
buked for presumption. mot q gun
ner any more-I'm a spyi" he thought.
as he shunied on without looking
toward the batteries again. though the
music Of wheels and hoofs was now
close by.
Marta had . glimpse Of him as she
turned away. He is what he II BE-.
cause of the army; 9 victim of q cult.
q habit" she was thiuking. Had he
been in any other calling his fine quail
tiles might have been Of service to the
world and he would have been happy"
A company Of infantry resting
among their stacked rides changed
the color Of the square In the distance
from the gray pavement to the brown
Of mass Of uniforms. In the middle
o. the main street q major Of the bri-
gade staK, with q number Of junior
oGieess ana orderlies, was evidently
waiting on some signal. Sentriee 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. 60
to the doors and look up and down
apprehensively, asking bootless, ner-
vous questions.
Are they coming YETI"
do you think they will conner
"Are you sure it's going to be war;"
"Will they shell the town."
THEREIN be time enough for you |
TO get awayl" shouted the major. "Al
we know is what is written in our in
and we shall act on them
when the thing starts. Then we are
in command. Meanwhile. get ready"
Then the major became aware OF
young woman who was going in the
wrong direction. Her cheeks were
flushed from her rapid walk, her lips
were parted, showing firm. white
teeth, and her black eyes were re-
xarding him in q blaze Of satire or
an emotion, whatever 1t
was. that thoroughly conferred his at
tention.
"Mademoiselle. am very sorry. but
unless you live in this direction" he
said very politely, you may not 90 any
farther. Until we have other orders
Or they attack every one 10 supposed
% remain in his house or his place Of
business"
This 10 my place Of businessl"
Marta answered, for she was already
opposite small, disused chapel which
was her schoolroom, where a half
iozen of the faithful children were
gathered around the masculine impor-
.ance Of Jacky Werther, one Of the
,lder boys.
Then you are Miss Galland!" said
he major, enlightened. His smile had
in appreciation Of the irony Of her Noc-
,upation at that moment. Your chill
lren are very loyal They would not
ell me where they lived. so we had
% let them stay there"
"Those who have homes" she said,
Identifying each one Of the faithful
With glance, have so many broth
,rs and sisters that they will hardly
,e missed from the flock. Others
lave no homes--at least not much Of a
,ne"-here her temper rose again
taxes being so high in order that you
nay organize murder and the destruc-
ion OF property"
Nov really, Miss Galland," he ba-
ran soIicitouslyg Il have been assigned
o move the civil population in case OF
attack. Your children ought"
After school! You have your duty
his morning and have mine!" Marta
pleasantly, and turned
oward the chapel.
"They are putting sharpshooters In
he church tower to get the aero
planes, and there are lots of the little
runs that fire bullets SO fast you can't