Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-02-12


knew. No, the Browns would not
yield until they we're decimated.
I'VE have the numbers to spare.
Numbers shall press home-home to
terms in their capital" Westerling's
voice grew husky as he proceeded,
harsh as orders to soldiers who hesi-
tated in face of fire. After that-after
that"-the tone changed from harsh
ness to desire, which was still the do
sire of possession-"the fruits of
peace, a triumph that want you to
shared" He was drawing her toward
him with an. impulse of the force of
this desire, when she broke free with
an abrupt, struggling pull.
mot that! Not that! Your work
is not yet done!" she cried.
He made move as IL to persist,
then he fell back with a gesture Of
understanding.
Right! Hold me to til" he ex-
claimed resolutely. Hold me to the
bargain! So a woman worth while
should hold a man worth while"
"Yes!" she managed to say, and
turned to go in a sudden impetus Of
energy. Half running, half stumbling,
the light of the lantern bobbing and
trembling weirdly, she FASTENED
through the tunnel. Usually the time
for taking the receiver down till
Lanny replied was only half min
ute. Now she waited what seemed
many minutes without response. Had
the connections been broken? To
make sure that her Impotence was
not trucking her she began to count
off the seconds. Then she heard Lam
stron's voice, broken and hoarse:
Marta, Marta, he Is dead! Partow
ia dead!"
Recovering himself, Lanstron told
the story of Partow'e going, which was
| in keeping with his life and his
prayers. AS the doctor put it, the
light Of his mind, turned on full volt
flicker. Through the day he had at
tended to the dispositions for recelv-
ing the Grays' attack, enlivening rou-
tine as usual with flashes Of humor
and reflection ranging beyond the de-
tails in hand. An hour or so before
dark he had reached across the table
and laid his big, soft palm on the back
of Lanstron's hand. He was thinking
aloud, habit of his in Lanstron's COM
pany, when an idea requiring gesta-
ton came to him.
my boy, 1t is not fatal II we lose
the apron Of Engadir. The defenses
behind it are very strong"
mo, not fatal" Lanstron agreed.
But it's very important"
"And Westerling will think 1t fatal
Yes, understand his character. Yes
yes; and If our counter-attack should
fail, then Miss Galland's position
would be secure. Hm-m-m-those
whom the gods would destroy
hm-m-m. Westerling will be con
vinced that repeated, overwhelming
attacks will gain our main line. In
stead of using engineering approaches
he will throw his battalions, masses
upon masses, against our works until
his strength is spent. 1t would be
batting the bull. A risk-a risk-but
my boy, am going to"
Partow's head, which was bent In
thought, dropped with jerk. A con
vulsion shook him and he fell forward
onto the map, his brave old heart II
its last fiutter, and Lanstron was alone
in the silent room with the dead aHt
his responsibility.
1.-THE order that knew he was abou
to speak, Marta, gave for him." Ian
stron concluded. 1T seemed to mt
an inspiration-his last inspiration
to make the counter-attack feint."
And you're acting chief Of staff
Lanny? You against Westerling?"
yes"
-
The colonel of the 128th and Captain
Fracasse were eating their biscuits to
gether and making occasional remark
rather than holding a conversation.
well, Westerling is q field-mar
shal," said the colonel.
Yes, he's got something out OF It!
"The men seem to be losing spirit
there's not doubt of It'll" exclaimed tn
colonel, more aloud to himself thai
to Fracasse. after while.
mo wonder!" replied Fracasee. Mar
, tinet though he was. he spoke in grum
bling loyalty to his soldiers. "Wha
kind of spirit is there in doing tn
work of navvies? Spirit! No sol
diers ever fought better-in invasion
at least. Look at our losses! Spirit
Westerling drives US in. He think
we can climb Niagara Falls! He"
: stop! You are talking like an an
archist!" snapped the colonel. 'Hoy
can the men have spirit when you fee
that way?"
II shall continue to obey orders an,
do my duty, sirl" replied Fracasse
"And they will. too, or I'll know tn
reason why"
There was silence, but at lengtl
the colonel exploded:
'T SUPPOSE Wecterling knows Wha