The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-01-09
CHAPTER x-Continued.


her thoughts back from the knoll. H,
was thunderstruck at the transforma
ton: hot color in her cheeks, eye!
afiame, lips curving around a whirl
wind of words.
You name the very reason why
wish to stay. Why do you want t.
save the women? Why shouldn't they
bear their share? Why don't you wan
them to see men moved down? Is
II because you are ashamed of your
profession? Why, ask"
The problem of dealing with al
angry woman breaking a shell fire o.
questions over his head had not beer
ready solved in the captains curricu
lum like other professional problems
nor was it mentioned in the official
instructions about the defenses of the
Galland house. He aimed to smile
soothingly in the helplessness of man
In presence of feminine fury.
ut is an old custom" he was say.
ing, but she had turned away.
"Lannys plan-mow them down!
NOW them down! NOW them down."
she went on, more to herself than to
him.
Was there nothing for her to do d?
Could she only look on in a fever of
restlessness while action roared
around her? The sight of several au-
tomobile ambulances in the road at
the foot of the garden stilled the
throbs of distraction in her temples
with an answer. The wounded, They
were already coming in from the field
She hurried down the terrace steps.
The major surgeon in charge, sur.
prised to find any woman in the vi
cinity, was about to tell her so auto
matically; then, in view of her inten-
sity. he waited for her to speak.
You will let us do something for
them?" Marta asked. I'VE will make
them some hot SOUP"
He was Immediately businesslike
No less than Dellarme or Fracasse or
Lanstron or Westerling, he had been
preparing throughout his professional
career for this hour. The detail of
caring for the men who we're down
had been worked out no less system
atically than that of wounding them.
Thank you, no! We don't want to
waste time" he replied. I'VE must
get them away with all speed SO that
the ambulances may return PROMPTLY.
It's only a fifteen-minute run to the
hospital, where every comfort and an.
pliance are ready and where they will
be given the right things to eat"
Then We will give them some
wine!" Marta persisted.
Not If we can prevent it, Not to
start hemorrhages! The field doctors
have brandy for use when advisable
and there is brandy in all the ambu.
lances."
Clearly. volunteer service was NOT
wanted. There was no room at the
immediate front for Florence Nigbtin.
gales in the modern machine of war
Then water?"
The major surgeon aimed to be "a.
tient to an earnest, attractive young
woman.
I'VE have sterilized water-we have
everything" he explained. "If We
hadn't at this early stage | ought 70
be serving an apprenticeship in a vii.
lage apothecary shop. Anything that
means confusion, delay, unnecessary
excitement is bad and unmerciful."
Marta was not yet at the end of her
resources. The recollection of the DIV.
ng private who had asked her mother
or rose in the last war flashed into
mind.
You haven't any flowers. They
Won't do any harm, even il they aren't
terrified. The wounded like flowers
Iont they? Don't you like fiowers7
.ook! We've millions!"
Yes, do. They do. A good idea
Bring all the flowers you want to-"
The major surgeons smile to Marta ,
Ias not altogether on account of her
digestion. 1T ought to help anybody
mo was ever wounded anywhere in [
ne world to have you give him q {
Overt" he was thinking. t
She ran for an armful Of blossoms |
nd was back before the arrival of the {
rst wounded man who preceded the {
-retchers on foot. He was holding
p hand bound in a white first-aid 7
andage which had red spot in the G
enter. Those hit In hand or arm, IL .
lie surgeons glance justified 1t, were S
Int on up the road to a point a mile S
slant, where transportation in requi- S
TONED vehicles was provided. These S
en- were triumphant in their cheer n
iness. They were alive; they had e