The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-02-06

Il remember when you were telling
OF the last war that you didn't swoon
at the sight OF the wounded mother"
Marta whispered.
but / was not wounded" replied
Mrs. Galland.
Marta ceased 20 be only a conscious
ness swimming in a haze. With the
return OF her faculties, she noticed
that both her mother and Minna were
looking significantly at her forearm;
so she looked at II, too. 1t was
bandaged.
"A cut from a shrapnel fragment"
sald a doctor mot deep" he added.
do | get an iron CROSSE" she asked.
smiling family. II was rather pleasant
10 be alive.
"All the crosses--iron and bronze
and silver and gold!" he replied.
All firing except occasional scattered
shots had now ceased in the immedi-
ate vicinity. though in the distance
could be heard the snarl of the firmer
resistance that the Grays were max
ing at some other point. The Galland
house. for the time being, was isolated
i'm possession OF neither side.
isn't there something else can do
to help with the wounded?' Marta
asked She longed for action in order
to escape her thoughts
you've had terrible shock-when
you are stronger" said the doctor.
when you have had something to
/ - h.a at oil
Minna authoritatively.
Marta would not have the food
brought to her. She insisted that she
was strong enough TO accompany
Minna to the tower. While Minna
urged mouthfuls down Martas dry
throat as she sat outside the door OF
the sitting-room with her mother a
number OF weary dust-streaked faces,
with feverish energy in their eyes.
peered over the hedge that bounded
the garden on the side toward the pass
These scout skirmishers OF Stransky's
men OF the SD Regiment of the
| Browns made reckoning gestures as
to a crowd. before they sprang over
the hedge and ran swiftly, watchfully.
toward the linden stumps. closely fol.
lowed by their comrades. Soon the
whole garden was overrun by the lean.
businesslike fellows, their glances all
! ferret-like to the front.
Look. Minnal" exclaimed Marta.
THE giant who carried the old man In
'pickaback the first night of the war!"
Minna was flushing. but the flush
dissipated and she drew up her chin
when Stransky. looking around, recog-
nized her with merry, confident
wave of his hand.
See, he's a captain and he wears
an iron cross" said Marta as Stransky
fastened toward them.
"He acts like IT," assented Minna
grudgingly
Eager, leviathan. his cap doffed with
sweeping gesture as he made low
bow, Stransky was the very spirit OF
retributiye victory returning TO claim
the ground that he had lost.
"well. this is like getting home
again." he cried
80 | sect" said Minna equivocally.
Stransky drew his eyes together.
sighting them on the bridge OF his nose
thoughtfully at this dubious reception.
Il came back for the chance TO kiss
a good woman's hand" he observed
with a profound awkwardness and
looking at Minna's hand. Your
handi" he added, the cast In his eyes
STRENGTHENING as he looked directly at
her sppealingly.
she extended her fnger-tips and he
pressed his lips TO them.
Il kept seeing the way you looked
when you belted me one in the face
he went on, "and knocked any an
archism out OF me that was left after
the shell burst / kept seeing your
face in my laet glimpse when the
Grays made me run for IL from your
kitchen door before had half chance
for the grafton crying for voice. You
we're in my dreams! You we're In bat
tie with mel"
This sounds like a disordered
mind" observed Minna. i've heard
men talk that way before"
"Oh, | have talked that way to other
women myself" said Stransky.
Yes" said Minna bitterly. His can.
dor was rather unexpected.
II have talked to others In passing
on the high road" he continued. but
never after a woman had struck me In
: the face. That blow sank deep-deep
deep as what Lanstron said when
, revolted on the march. ! say IL TO you
with this'-he touched the erosion
my breast. And I'm not going to give
you up. It's a big world. There's
room in II for place for you after the
,, war is over and I'm going 10 make the
place. Good.by TIN I'm blackjack e
Z stayl Good-by, little daughter!" he
added with a wave OF his hand 20 Clar
issa as he turned TO go. Maybe We
shall have our own automobile some