The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-12-05

ever learned but what could be OF seIV-
ice to him as an officer.
Finding enough work to dor Far
tow would ask with a chuckle when
they met in these days; for ne mao
made Lanstron both chief OF inteih-
gence and chief aerostatic officer.
Young Colonel Lanstron's was the DUTY
of gaining the secrets OF the tray
staff and keeping those Of the Brown
and organizing up-to-the-moment ell
cheney In the new forces Of the air.
He had remarked truly enough that
the injury to his left hand served as
better reminder against the folly OF
! mountaineering than a string. even
large red string, tied around his nm
ger. Thanks to skillful surgery, the
fingers, incapable of spreading much,
were vet serviceable and had firm
grip of the wheel as he rose from the
aeroplane station on the Sunday morn
ing after Marta's return home for
flight to La Tir.
He knew the pattern weaving under
his feet as one knows that of his own
garden from an overlooking window.
Every detail of the staff map, ravines,
roads, buildings, battery positions, was
stitched together in the flowing reality
Of actual vision. No white posts were
necessary to tell him where the
boundary between the two nations lay.
The line was drawn in his brain.
Now that Lanstron was the organ
izer of the aviation corps his own
flights were rare. Mostly they were
made to La Tir. His visits to Marta
were his holidays. All the time that
she was absent on her journey around
the world they had corresponded. Her
letters, so revealing of herself and her
peculiar angles of observation, formed
a bundle sacredly preserved. Her
| mothers joking reference about her
girlish resolution not to marry SOL
der often required to him. There, he
sometimes thought, was the real OBJ
stacle to his great desire.
When he alighted from the plane he
thrust his left hand into his blouse
pocket. He always carried 1t there.
| as IL it were literally sewn in place.
| In moments of emotion the SCARED
nerves would twitch as the telltale of
his constituencies; and this was some
thing he would conceal from others no
matter how conscious he was of 1t him.
self. He found the Galland veranda
deserted. In response to his ring q
maid came to the open door. Her
face was sad. with a beauty that had
prematurely faded. But 1t lighted
pleasurably in recognition. Her hair
was thick and tawny, lying low over
the brow; her eyes were q softly
luminous brown and her full lips sensi
tive and yielding. Lanstron, an init
mate Of the Galland household. knew
her story we'll and the part that Marta
had played in it.
Some four years previously, when 9
baby was in prospect for Minna, who
wore no wedding ring. Mrs. Galland
had been inclined to send the maid tc
an institution, where they will take
good care of her, my dear. That's
what such institutions are for. 1t ii
quite scandalous for her and for us
never happened in our family before!'
Marta arched her eyebrows.
I'VE don't know!" she exclaimed
softly.
How can you think such a thing
let alone saying it-you. a Galland!
her mother gasped in indignation.
THAT is, if we go far back" sal,
Marta. AT all events, we have n.
precedent, so let's establish one b,
keeping her."
But for her own sake! She viii
have to live with her shame!" Mrs
Galland objected. Let her begil
afresh in the city. We shall give he
a good recommendation, for she /
really an excellent servant. Yes, sh
will readily find a place anon
strangers"
Still, she doesn't want to go, and
would be cruel to send her away"
, Cruel! Why, Marta, do you thin
, l would be cruel? Oh, very we'll, the
we will let her stay!"
!, Both are away at church. Mrs. Ga
!, land ought to be here any minute, br
Miss Galland will be later because {
!, her childrens class" said Minna. xvi
!, you wait on the veranda?"
;. He was saying that he would stro
l. in the garden when childish footsteI
were heard in the hall, and after
G curly head had nestled against til
'. mothers skirts it's owner, reminded
p the importance Of manners in til
world where the stork had left he
10 made a curtesy. Lanstron shook
small hand which must have late
10 been on intimate terms with sugar {
a. jam.
~ How do you do. flying soldier man
chirruped Clarissa Eileen. 1t was e,
N dent that she held Lanstron in his
n favor.
y Let me hear you say your name
r said Lanstron.
Is Clarissa Eileen was triumphant 81
"a had been waiting for days with Il
,e revelation when he should make tn
D. old request. Now she enunciated
il with every vowel and consonant &C
y rectly and primly uttered; indeed, 81
IT repeated it four or five times in pro
q of complete mastery.