Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-12-23
CHAPTER xv--contInued.

CHAPTER xv--contInued.
"Yes?" the monosyllable was de-
tached. dismal. labored. "A woman
can be that" she exclaimed In an I'M
certain tone, which grew into the dis
Traction OF clipped words and broken
sentences. "A woman play-acting-a
woman acting the most revolving by.
pocrisy--infiuence the issue between
two nationsl Her deceit deals in the
lives OF sons precious TO fathers and
mothers. the fate OF frontiers. of insti-
buttons! Think OF I'll Think OF ma.
chimes costing countless millions-ma-
chimes Of flesh and blood. with their
deatinies shaped by one little bit of
lying informationi Think Of the folly
of any civilization that stakes it's tri-
umphs on such a gamble! Am l not
Tight7 Isn't II true? Isn't it?"
yes, yes, Marital Butt" II
she we're weakening 1t was not his
place to try to strengthen her purpose
1T win the sooner end fighting,
won't II. Lanny3" she asked in a
small. tense voice.
yes"
-And the only real end that means
real peace is to prove that the weak
can hold back the strong from their
threshold?"
"Yes."
Even now westerling might be on
the yeranda. perhaps waiting for news
that would enable him TO crush the
weak; to prove that the law of Ave
pounds OF human flesh against three.
and five bayonets against three. is the
law Of civilization.
"Yes. yes, yesl' The construction
WAS gone from her throat; there was
n drum-beat in her soul Depend on
rae, lannyl" II was Feller's favorite
phrase spoken by the one who was to
take his place. Eyes, I'm ready to
make any sacrifice now. For what am
~ What is one woman compared to
such a purpose7 | don't care what Is
said OF me or what becomes OF me II
we can winl Good.by. Lanny. till
call you up againl And God with usi"
God with Us!" as Partow had said.
over end oves The saying had come
to ba repeated by hard-headed, agnes
tic staH-osacers. who believed that the
deity had no relation to the efficiency
OF gun-fire. The Brown infantrymen
even were beginning TO mutter II IN
the midst OF action.
Waiting on the path of the secoad
terrace for Westerllng to come. Marta
realized the full meaning OF her task.
Day in and day out she was to have
suspense at her elbow and the horror
OF hypocrisy on her conscience. the
while keeping her wits nicely bsl.
anced. When she saw Westerling APP
pear on the veranda and start over the
lawn she felt dizzy and uncertain of
her capabilities.
Il have considered all that you have
said for my guidance and have de-
cided," she began.
She aeard her own voice with the
relief OF singer In a debut who. with
knees shaking, finds that her notes
are true. She was looking directly
at Westerling in profound seriousness.
Though knees shook. lips and chin
could aid eyes In revealing the pain.
iful fatigue OF battle that had ragged
in the mind OF woman who went
away for half an hour 10 think for
herself.
Il have concluded" she went on,
<athat Il Is an occasion for the sac.
ritico OF private ethics TO a great pur.
pose. the sooner to end the slaugh.
ter"
can true!" whispered an inner
voice Its tone was Lanny's. in the
old days of their comadeship 1t gave
her strength. All true,
YES, an end--a speedy endl" said
Westerling with a fine. infexible en-
phasis That is your prayer and
mine and the prayer OF all lovers OF
humanity"
1T is little that know. but such
ms 1t is you shall have It." she began,
conscious of HIS guarded scrutiny.
When she told him OF Bordir, the
weak point in the first line of the
BrCa4s' defense, she noted no change
in his steady look: but with the men.
tion Of Engadir in the main line she
detected CLEAN in his eyes that had
the merciless delight OF a cutting
edge OF steel. 81 have mace my sac.
-iBce to some purpose7 The infor'
mation IS worth something to your"
she asked wistfuiIy.
Yes, yes! Yes. II promises that
way" he replied thoughtfully.
Quietly he began a considerable cate
chism Soon she was subtly under
standing that her answers lacked the
convincing details that be sought
She longed 70 avert her eyes from his
for an instant, but she knew that this
would be fatal She felt the force Of