The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-04-16
CHAPTER xlll-ContInued.

Then a staff-oflcer appeared in the
doorway. When he saw woman en-
Or the room he frowned. He had rid
den from the town, which was empty
Of women, fact that he regarded as
q blessing. II she had been a maid
servant he would have kept on his
cap. Seeing that she was not, he re-
moved 1t and found himself in want Of
words as their eyes met after she had
made a gesture to the broken glass
on the floor and the lacerated table
top, which said too plainly:
do you admire your work."
The fact that he was we'll groomed
and freshly shayen did not in any wise
aissipate In her feminine mind his
connection with this destruction. He
bad never seen anything like the smile
Hhich went with the gesture. Her
eyes we're two continuing and chal-
longing flames. Her chin was held
high and steady, and the pallor of ex-
haustion, with the blackness of her
hair and eyes, made her strangely
commanding. He understood that she
was not waiting for him to speak. but
10 60.
81 did not know that there was a
woman herel" he said.
"And did not know that officers Of
the Grays we're accustomed to enter
private houses without invitations!"
she replied.
"This is little different" he began.
She interrupted him.
But the law OF the Grays Is that
homes should be left undisturbed, isn't
IT. At least, 1t is the law of civiliza-
ton. believe you profess, too. to pro-
tect property, do you mott"
why, yesl" he agreed. He wished
that he could get little respite from
the steady fire of her eyes. 1t was EN-.
barrassing and as confusing as the
white light Of an impracticable logic.
in that case. please place q guard
around our house lest some more OF
your. soldiers get out OF control" she
went on.
II can do that, yes" he said. But
We are to make this q STAFF headquar-
ters and must start at once to put the
house In readiness"
General Westerling's headquar-
tersi" she inquired.
He parted the question with Q
frown. Staff-oficers never give infor-
nation. They receive information and
transmit orders.
II know General Westerling. 70.
WI tell him that my mother, Mrs. Gal
land, and our maid and myself are
very tired from the entertainment he
has given US, unasked, and we need
sleep tonight So you will leave US
until morning and that door, sir, is the
one out into the grounds"
The staff-oficer bowed and went out
by that door. glad to get away from
Marta's eyes. His inspection Of the
premises with view to plans for stan
accommodation could wait. wester-
ling would not be here for two days
ct least.
'Whswi What energy she hasl" he
thought. 7 never had anybody make
me feel so contemptibly unlike a gen.
tleman In my life"
Yet Marta, returning to the hall, had
to steady herself in a dizzy moment
against the wall Complete reaction
had come. She craved sleep as IL it
were the one true. real thing in the
world. She craved sleep for the clarity
of mind that comes with the morning
Hight. In the haziness Of feeey thought,
as slumber drew its soft clouds
around her, her last conscious visions
were the pleasant ones rising free Of
@ background Of horror; Of Feller's
smile when he went back to his auto
matte for good; % Deilarmes smile as
he was dying; Of Stransky's smile as
Nina gave him hope; and Of Hugo's
tAce as be uttsred his dute-like cry OF
pnnaast In her ears we're the haunt