The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-04-02
CHAPTER XXI.
The Last Shot.


free and brushing her flushed cheek
Marta saw the division chiefs Of the
browns, after their start when Ian
stron spoke her name, all stand al
the salute, looking at her rather thar
at him. The reality In the flesh Of
the woman who had beensa comrade
IN service, sacrificing her sensibilities
for their cause. appealed to them az
true likeness OF their conventions O,
her. IN their eyes she might read the
llnest thing that can pass from mans
to Woman's or from mans to man 8
These were the strong men of her PEG
pie who had driven the burglar from
her house with the sword Of Justice
Their tribute had the steadfast loyalty
OF soldiers who were craving to dc
anything in the world that she might
ask. whether to go on their knees to
her or to kill dragons for her.
i may come in?" she asked.
who If not you is entitled to the
privilege Of the staff council!" ex-
claimed the vice.chief.
The others did not propose TO le,
him do all the honors. Each muir.
INJURED words of welcome on his own
account.
I'VE are here, thanks to you!"
And, thanks to you. our flag will
float over the Gray range"
She must be tired, was their next
thought. Four or five Of them hurried
to place chair for her, the yice-chief
winning over his rivals, more through
the exercise of the rights of rank than
by any superior alacrity.
"You are appointed actual chief of
staff and field marshall" said the
vice-chief to Lanstron. "The premier
says that every honor the nation can
bestow is yours. The capital is mad
The crowds are crying: On to the
Gray capital Tomorrow is to be a
public holiday and they are calling 1t
Lanstron Day. The thing was 80
sudden that the spectators who de-
pressed our securities in the world
markets have got their due-ruin,
And we ought to get an indemnity
that will pay the cost of the war"
Seated at one side, Marta could
watch all that passed, herself unob.
served. She noted touch of color
come to Lanstron's cheeks as he made
a little shrug Of protest.
Then she saw their faces grow busi.
nesslike and keen, as they gathered
around the table, with Lanstron at the
head. They were oblivious of her
presence, immured in a mans world
Of war.
Your orders were obeyed. We
have not passed single white post
YETI" said the vice-chief impatlently.
AS the Grays never expected to take
the defensive, their fortresses are in.
ferior. Every hour we wait means
more time for them to fortify, more
lime to recover from their demorali.
.ation. Our dirigibles having COM
nand Of the air-we had q wireless
rom one reporting all clear halfway
% the Gray capital-why, we shall
Know their concentrations while they
ire ignorant of ours. It's the nations
great opportunity to gain enough |
provinces to even the balance OF popu-
alton with the Grays. With the unre.
hitting offensive, blow on blow, using
he spirit Of our men to drive in mass
ttacks at the right points, the Gray
ange is ours!"
Marta scanned the faces of the staff
or some sign of dissent only to find
othing but the ardor Of victory call
ng for more victory, which reflected
he feeling Of the coursing crowds in
he capital Though Lanny wished tc
top the war, he was only a chip on
he crest Of a wave. Public opinion,
hitch had made him an idol, would
iscard him as soon as he ceased to be
hero in the likeness Of it's desires.
he saw him aloof as the others, In
bent over the map out.
ming the plan Of attack that they
ad worked out while awaiting their
1ief's return from the charge. He
as taking paper from his pocket
I'd looking from one to another of his
,lleagues studiously; and she was
Of that determination in his
nile which she had first seen when
, rose from the wreck of his plane.
"This is from Partow: a message
r you and the nation!" he ali.
,unced, as he spread few thin, type.
ritten pages out on the table. 81
as under promise never to reveal It's
ntents unless our army drove the
'ays back across the frontier. The
iginal Is In the staff vaults. l have =
FRIED this copy with me-"
At the mention in an arresting tone
that name Of the dead chief, to
lich the days events had given the |
estige Of one of the heroes of old, I
ere was grave attention.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)