The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-04-10

stimulant
But Dellarme knew that it would
not take much to precipitate a break.
He himself felt that he had been on
that knoll half lifetime. He looked
at his watch aid it was Ave O'Clock.
For seven hours they had held on.
The Grays' trench was complete the
breadth of the slope; more reserves
were coming up The brigade com
mander of the Grays was going to
make sure that the next charge sue
ceeded
At last Dellarme's glance toward
regimental headquarters showed the
flag that was the signal for with
drawal Could he accomplish It? The
first lieutenant. with a shattered arm,
had gone on litter. The old ser
geant was dead victim OF the colo
nial wars. Used to fighting savage en-
emies, he had been too eager in ex-
posing himself to civilized foe. He
had been shot through the throat.
Men c -" erst section" Dellarme
called, " 1t of line with
the grea, are not to let the enemy
know that you are going!"
''Goirg-going! Careful. Men OF
the first section going." the parched
throats repeated in a thrilling whisper
Those who remain keep increasing
their iire!" called Dellarme again.
Cover the whole breadth of the
trench"
Every fourth man wormed himself
| backward on his stomach until he was
/ below the skyline, when his stiffened
| limbs brought him to his feet and he
started on a dead run down into the
valley and toward a cut behind an
other knoll across the road from the
Galland house. The others followed at
| intervals.
| Once across road and up three Sc
| ries of steps of the other garden ter
race. behind breastwork of sand
| bags, he company rested. Most of
| them lad fallen asleep on the ground
after finishing their rations, logs OF
men in animal exhaustion. Some of
those awake were too weary to give
to each other more than nod and
smile. They had Witnessed too much
horror that day to talk about it. But
| StranSky foraged.
| Marta coming out on the veranda,
saw him.
"You are tired. You are hungry"
she said with urgent gentleness.
Come in!'
He followed her into the house and
dropped on leather chair before a
shining table in a room paneled with
| unnioripv of her and at himSp1f
No woman of Marta's world had ever
| spoken in that way to him. But 1t
was good to sit down. Then maid
with a sad, winsome face and tender
eyes brought him wine and bread and
| cold meat and jam. He gulped down
glassful OF wine; he ate with great
mouthfuls in the ravenous call OF
| healthy, exhausted tissues, while the
maid stood by to cut more bread.
When 1t comes to eating after fight
| ing"
He looked up when the first pangs
of hunger were assuaged. Enormous,
broadehouldered physical. his cheeks
flushed with wine, his eyes opened
wide and brilliant with the fire that
was In his nature-eyes that spoke the
red business of anarchy and war.
Say. but you're pretty"
Springing up, he caught her hand
and made to kiss her In the brashness
of impulse. Minna struck him sting
ing blow in the face. He received it
as a mastiff would receive a bite from
| a pup. and she stood her ground, her
eyes challenging his fearlessly.
so you are like that!" he said
thoughtfully "It was good one, and
you meant it, too"
Decidedly" she answered. There's
more where that came from!"
Then little Clarissa Eileen entered
and pressed against her mothers
skirts. subjecting Stransky to child
| hoods scrutiny He waved a finger
at her and grinned and drew his ewes
| together in squint at the bridge OF
his nose. making funny face that
| brought laugh.
Your child?" Stransky asked Minna
| Yes"
Where's her father? Away fight
ing?"
| Il don't know where he ISL
| OIL" he mused Was that blow
| for him at the same time as for me?"
he pursued thoughtfully.
- Yes, for all OF your kind"
''M-m-m!" came from between his
Hips as he rose Would you mind hold
! ing out your hand?" he asked with a
gentleness singularly out of keeping
| with his rough aspect.
| .."Why?" she demanded.
| I've never studied any books of eti-
| quette OF polite society, and ! am
| poor sort at making speeches. anyhow.
| But want to kiss good woman's
kissed one in my life, but I'm getting
| lot of new experiences today. VIII