Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-09-26

FOF once DCllct...t - CnCeTV smile
deserted him. Their was no one left
! to man the automatic, so vital In the
defense. and even II somebody could
be found the gun was probably out of
commission. AS he started toward 1t
his smile, already summoned back,
was shot with SUNRISE at sight of the
gun In place ard a stranger in blue
blouse, white hair showing through a
crownless straw hat. trying out the
mechanism with knowing fingers. Del
larme stared Feller. unconscious of
everything lat the gun, righted the
cartridge band, swung the barrel back
and forth, and then fred shot.
'You-you seem to know rapid
flrers!" Dellarme exclaimed in blank
incomprehension.
Yes, sir!" .Fcller raised his finger,
whether in salute as a soldier or as
gardener touching his hat 1t was
hard to say.
But how-where" gasped Del.
larme.
This time the movement of the fin.
| ger was undoubtedly in salute, in per
feet, swift, military salute, with head
thrown back and shoulders stiff. Eel
ler the gardener was dead and buried
without ceremony.
"Lanstron's class, school for off,
GERS. sir. Stood one in ballistics, prize
medallist control of gun-fire. Yes, sir,
know something about rapid-flrers,"
Feller replied, and fired few more
shots. "a little high, q little low
right, my lady, right"
Stransky was back in his place next
to the automatic and firing whenever
a head appeared. He rolled his eyes
in a characteristic squint of scrutiny
toward the new recruit.
Beats spraying rose-bushes for
bugs. eh, old man." he asked.
Yes. a lead solution is best for
gray bugs!" Feller remarked pun
gently, and their glances meeting,
they saw in each others eyes the Joy
of hell.
"a pair of anarchists" exclaimed
Stransky. grinning, and tried a shot
| IOr Anolner neaQ.
AS If in answer to prayer, q gun
ner had come out of the earth. Suf
f1cient to the need was the fact. 1t
was not for Dellarme to ask questions
of a prize-medallist graduate of the
school for officers in a blue blouse and
| crownless straw hat. His expert sur
vey assured him that before another
rush the enemy had certain prepare.
tions to make. He might give his
fighting smile a recess and permit
himself a few minutes relaxation.
Looking around to ascertain what
damage had been done to the house
and grounds, he became aware of
Marta's presence for the first time.
Miss Galland, you-you weren't
there during the fighting?" he cried
as he ran toward her.
"Yes." she said rather family.
IF had known that should have
been scared to DEATH"
But l was Fafe behind the pillar" {"
she explained.
Miss Galland, you're such a good
soldier-pleaee-and I'm sure you have
not had your breakfast, and all good
soldiers never neglect their rations,
not at the beginning of wari Miss
Galland, please" Yes, as he meant
1t, please be a good fellow.
She could not resist smiling at the
charming manner Of his plea. She felt
weak and strange-a little dizzy. Be-
sides, her mothers voice now came
from the doorway and then her moth
er's hand was pressing her arm.
Marta, IL you remain out here, I
shalll" announced Mrs. Galland.
Il was just coming in"
Dellarme, his cap held before him in
the taunty fashion of officers, bowed,
his face beaming his happiness at her
decision.
"Come!" Mrs. Galland slipped her
hand into Marta's. Two women can't
fight both armies Come! prescribe
hot coffee. It is waiting; and, do you
know, find a meal in the kitchen
very cozy."
Being human and not a heroine fed
on lotos blossoms, and being exhaust
ed and also hungry, when she was
seated at table, with Minna adroitly
urging her, Marta ate with the relish
of little Peterkin in the shell crater
munching biscuits from his haversack,
but the movement of the minute-hand
on the clock-face became uncanny and
merciless to her eye in its deliberate
regularity. Dellarme had been told
to hold on until noon. she knew. Was
he still smiling? Was Feller still
happy in playing a stream of lead
from the automatic? Was the second
charge of the Grays, which must have
come to close quarters when the guns
went SILENT going to succeed?
Mrs. Galland had settled down con
scientiously to play solitaire, favor,
lite pastime of hers; but she failed
to win, as she complained to Marta
because Of her stupid way this morn
ing Of missing the combination cards