Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-12-24
CHAPTER XVIII.
a CHANGE of Plan.

That day and the next Westerling
had no time for strolling in the gar
den. His only exercise was a few
periods of pacing on the veranda. Tur-
cas-, as tirelessly industrious as ever,
developed an increasingly quiet insist
ence to leave the responsibility of de-
cisiOns about everything of importance
to chief who was becoming increas-
ingly arbitrary The attack on Enga-
dir being the jewel of WesterIing's
own planning, he was disincIined to
risk success by delegating authority,
which also meant sharing the glory of
victory.
Bouchard's note, though officially dis
missed as a matter of pathology, would
not accept dismissal privately. In
flashes of distinctness it required to
him between reports of the progress
of preparations and directions as to
dispositions. At dusk of the second
day, when all the guns and troops had
their places for the final movement I'M
der cover of darkness and he rose
from his desk, the thing that had
edged its way into a crowded mind
took possession of the premises that
strategy and tactics had vacated. 1t
passed under the same analysis as his
work. His Overweening pride, so SEN
sitive to the suspicion of conviction
that he had been fooled, put his reIa-
lions with Marta in logical review. He
had fallen in love in the midst of war.
A cool and intense Impotence DOS
sessed him to study her in the light
Of his new skepticism, when, turning
the path of the first terrace. he saw
her watching the sunset over the crest
of the range.
She was standing quite still, a slim.
soft shadow between him and the light,
which gilded her figure and quarter
profile Did she expect him? he won.
dered. Was she posing at that in.
slant for his benefit? When she
turned, her face in the shadow, the
glow of the sunset seemed to remain
in her eyes, otherwise without express
sion, yet able to detect something I'm.
usual under eXternals as they ex.
changed commonplaCes of greeting.
We'll, there's a change in our off.
cial family. We have lost Bouchard-
transferred to another post" said
Westerling.
Marta noted that, though he gave
the news a casual turn, his scrutiny
sharpened
is that so? I can't say that my
mother and shall be sorry" she re
marked. He was always glaring al
us as if he wished US out of sight
Indeed, if he had his way, l think he
would have made US prisoners of war
Wasn't he a woman-hater?" she con.
Guided, half in irritation, half in
amusement.
He had that reputation" said Yves
terling. What do you think led to
his departure?" he continued.
q confess I cannot guess!" said
Marta, with look at the sunset glow
as if she resented the loss of a min,
ute of it.
There has been a leak of informa
ton to the BrownsI" he announced
There has! And he was intelli
gence officer, wasn't he?" she asked
turning to Westerling, her curiosity
apparently aroused as a matter of cour
tesy TO his own interest in the sub
ject.
who do you think he accused
Why. you" he added, with a peculiar
laugh
She noted the popularity of the
laugh discriminatory
OH Her eyes opened wide IN
wonder-only wonder. at first Then
| as comprehension took the place OF
wonder, they grew sympathetic. THAT
explains!" she exclaimed. His hate
! full glances were those of delusion. He
/ was going mad, you mean?'
Yes" said Westerling, "that-that
would explain it,"
Il have been told that when people
go mad they always ascribe every in
| Jury done to them to the person who
happens to have excited their dislike,
| she unused.
(Which seems to have been the case