The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-11-13

ing the regiment. who mad noticed the
excitement from distance. appeared.
forcing gap for his passage through
the crowd with sharp words. lie, too,
recognized Lanstron. After they had
shaken hands. the colonel scowled as
he heard the situation explained. with
the old sergeant, still holding fast to
Stranskys collar. capable and in.
sistent witness for the prosecution;
while Stransky. the FIRE In his eyes
dying To Goals. stared straight ahead.
1T Is only a suggestion. of course"
said Lanstron. speaking quite as a
spectator to avoid the least indication
Of interference with the coloners au-
thority. "but II seems possible that
Stransky has clothed his wrongs In a
garb that codld never set we'll on his
nature n he tried to wear Il In prac-
tice. lie IL really an individualist- EN-
ragged. he would fight well. should
like nothing better than force of
Stnnskys II | had 60 defend n redoubt
In n last stand"
"Yes. he might fight" The colonel
looked hard at Stransky's rigid profile.
with its tight lips and chin as firm as
II cut out OF stone. You never know
who will fight In the pinch. they say.
But that's speculation. It's the ex.
ample that have To deal With"
-lIe In not of the insidlous. plotting
type. lie spoke his mind openly" sug-
gested Lanstron. IF you give him tho
limit OF the law. why. he becomes n
martyr TO persecution. l should say
that his remarks might pass for bar
rack-room gassing"
'very we'll" said the colonel, taking
the shortest way out OF the difficulty.
I'VE will excuse the first offense."
'Yes, sir!" said the sergeant me
chanically as he released his grip OF
the offender. I'VE had two anarchists
In my company In Africa" he observed
In loyal agreement with orders. They
fought like devils The only trouble
was to keep thom from shooting inno-
cent natives for sport"
Stranskyis collar was still crumpled
on the nape of his neck. He remained
stock-still. staring down the bridge OF
his nose. For full minute he did not
vouchsafe so much as a glance upward
over the change I'm his fortunes. Then
no looked around at Lanstron glover
ingly.
Il know who you arei" he said.
you were born in tho purple. You
have had education, opportunity. posi-
tion-everything that you and your
kind want To keep for your kind. You
are smarter than the others. You
would hang a man with spider webs
instead OF hemp. But won't fight for
you! No. I WON'T"
He threw back his head with a de-
termination In his defiance so intense
that II had a certain kind OF dignity
that freed II OF theatrical afrectation.
"Yes. / was fortunate: but perhaps
nature was not altogether unkind TO
YOU" said Lanstron. "In Napoleonio
times. Stransky. ! think you might
even have carried IA marshals baton In
your hnhDbaChs
"You-what rot" A sort OF triumph
played around Stransky's full lips and
his Jaw shot out challengingly. mo.
never against my comrades on the 9TH
or side OF the borderl" he concluded,
his logged stare returning.
Now the colonel gave the order 10
fall in: the bugle sounded and the cen
tIpede's legs began TO assemble on the
road. But Stransky remained statue,
his rife untouched on the sward He
seemed OF mind to let the regiment
20 on without him.
"Stransky. fall inl' called the ser
geant
Still Stransky did not move. A com
rade picked up the rife and fairly
thrust IL into his hands.
Come on. Bert, and knead dough
with the rest OF us!" no whispered.
Come ont Cheer upl" Evidently his
comrades liked Stransky.
MOI" roared Stransky. bringing tho
rife down on the ground with heavy
blow.
CTo BIT CONTINUED