The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-03-05

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yield until they were decimated.
! we have the numbers to spare.
Numbers shall press Monochrome to
terms in their capital" Westerling's
voice grew husky as he proceeded,
| harsh as orders to soldiers who hest.
tated in face OF fire. After that-after
that"-the tone changed from harsh
| ness to desire, which was still the de-
| sire Of possession-"th fruits Of
peace, a triumph that l want you to
share" He was drawing her toward
! him with an impulse OF the force Of
this desire, when she broke free with
an abrupt, struggling pull.
Not that! Not that! Your work
Is not yet done." she cried.
He made a move as II to persist
, then he fell back with a gesture Of
understanding
Right! Hold me to it," he ex-
claimed resolutely. Hold me to the
bargain. SO a woman worth while
should hold 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 weirdIy, 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 trcking her she began to count
off the seconds. Then she heard Ian
stron's voice, broken and hoarse:
Marta, Marta, he is dead. Partow
is dead"
Recovering himself, LanstrOn told
the story Of Partow's 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
age to the last. went out without a
flicker. Through the day he had at
tended to the dispositions for receiv-
ing the Grays' attack, Nlivening 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 if we lose
the apron of Engadir. The detenses
behind It are very strong"
NO. not fatal" Lanstron agreed.
But it's very important"
And Westerling will think it fatal
Yes ! understand his character. Yes
yes; and if our counter-attack should
fail, then Miss Gallands position
would be secure. Hm-mm-those
whom the gods would Destroy
hm-m-m. Westerling will be con
WINGED that repeated, overwhelming
attacks will gain our main line. In
stead of using engineering approaches
he will throw his battalions, masse
upon masses, against our works unit
his strength Is spent. 1t would b'
batting the bull. A risk-a risk-but
| 7 IN
Partow's head, which was bent IL
thought, dropped with jerk. A con
vulsion shook him and he fell forward
onto the map, his brave old heart liz
its last futter, and Lanstr0n was alone
in the silent room with the dead and
his responsibility.
THE order that knew he was about
to speak, Marta, gave for him." Lam
stron concluded. 1T seemed to me
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 12Sth and Captain
| Fracasse were eating their biscuits to.
gether and making occasional remarks
rather than holding a conversation.
We'll, Westerling Is feld.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," exclaimed the
colonel, more aloud to himself than
to Fracasse, after a while.
nc wonder!" replied Fracasse. Mar.
tinet though he was, he spoke in grum.
bling loyalty to his soldiers. What
kind of spirit is there in doing the
work Of navvies? Spirit! No SOL
diers ever fought better-in invasion.
at least. Look at our losses! Spirit!
Westerling drives US in. He thinks
we can climb Niagara Falls! He"
stop! You are talking like an an
archist!" snapped the colonel. How
can the men have spirit when you feel
that way?" y
~ shall continue to obey orders and
do my duty. sir!" replied Fracasse.
and they will, too, or III know the
reason why"
There was silence, but at length
| the colonel exploded:
II suppose Westerling knows what