Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-11-05
CHAPTER X-Continued.

This was the very thing to whip
her thoughts back from the knoll. He
was thunderstruck at the transforms
ton: hot color in her cheeks, eyes
afame, lips curving around a whirl-
wind of words.
You name the very reason why
wish to stay. Why do you want to
save the women? Why shouldn't they
bear their share? Why don't you want
them to see men moved down? Is
it because you are ashamed of your
profession? Why. / ask?"
The problem of dealing with an
angry woman breaking a shell fire Of
questions over his head had nos been
ready solved in the captains curricu-
lum like other professional problems,
nor was it mentioned in the official
instructions abcat the defenses of the
Galland hop9e He aimed to smile
sOothingly in the helpIessness Of man
in presence of feminine fury.
1t is an old custom" he was say
ing, but she had turned away
"Lanny's plau-mow them down!
NOW them down! NOW them down."
she went on, more to herself than to
him
Was there nothing for her to do?
COULD she only look on in a fever OF
restIessness while action roared
around her? The sight of several au-
tomobile ambulanCes in the road at
the foot of the garden stilled the
throbs of distraction in her temples
with an answer. The wounded! They
were already coming in from the field.
She hurried down the terrace steps.
The major surgeon in charge, sur,
prised to find any woman in the Vi
cinity, was about to tell her so auto
matically; then, in view of her inten-
sity, he waited for her to speak
You will let US do something for
them?" Marta asked We will make
them some hot soup"
He was Immediately businessIike
No less than Dellarme or Fracasse or
Lanstron or Westerling, he had been
preparing throughout his professional
career for this hour. The detail OF
caring for the men who we're down
had been worked out no less system.
atically than that of wounding them
Thank you, no. We don't want to
waste time" he replied I'VE must
get them away with all speed so that
the ambulances may return promptly
It's only a fifteen-minute run to the
hospital. where every comfort and ap
pliance are ready and where they will
be given the right things to eat"
Then we will give them some
wine!" Marta persisted.
Not if we can prevent it! Not tc
start hemorrhages! The field doctors
have brandy for use when advisable
and there is brandy in all the ambu
Iances."
Clearly, volunteer service was no
wanted There was no room at the
immediate front for Florence Nightin
gales in the modern machine of war
Then water?"
The major surgeon aimed to be pa
tent to an earnest, attractive youns
woman.
I'VE have sterilized water-we have
everything" he explained. IF We
hadn't at this early stage I ought Il
be serving an apprenticeship in a vii
lage apothecary shop. Anything tina
means confusion, delay. unnecessar,
excitement is bad and unmercifuI."
Marta was not yet at the end of he
resources. The recollection Of the DIV
Ing private who had asked her mothe
fer. a rose in the last war flashed int
mind
You haven't any flowers! The,
won't do any harm, even if they aren'
sterilized. The wounded like flowers
don't they? Don't you like flowers
Look! We've millions
Yes. I do. They do. A good idea
Bring all the flowers you want to-"
The major surgeons smile to Mart
was not altogether on account of he
suggestion. 1T ought to help anybod
who was ever wounded anywhere
the world to have you give him
fower." he was thinking.
She ran for an armful of blossom
and was back before the arrival of tn
first wounded man who preceded tn
stretcners on foot. He was holdin
up hand bound in white frst-ai
bandage which had a red spot in tn
center. Those hit in hand or arm.
the surgeons glance justified it, wer
sent on up The road to a point mil
distant, where transportation in requ
sitioned vehicles was provided. Thes
men were triumphant in their chez
fitness. They were alive; they ha