The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-05-14

Lanny replied was only half min
ute. Now she waited what seemed
many minutes without response. Had
the connections been brokeni To
make sure that her impatience was
not trucking her she began to count
on the seconds. Then she heard Lam
stron's voice, broken and hoarse:
Marta, Marta, he is dead! Partow
is deadl"
Recovering himself, Lanstron told
the story of Partow'e 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, enlivening rou-
tine as usual with flashes Of humor
and reflection ranging beyond the de-
tails in hand. An hour or 80 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, II is not fatal If we lose
the apron of Engadir. The defenses
behind 1t are very strong"
mo, not fatal" Lanstron agreed.
"But It's very important"
"And Westerling will think 1t fatal
Yes, understand his character. Yes
yes; and II our counter-attack should
fail, then Miss Gallands position
would be secure. Hm-m-m-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, masses
upon masses, against our works until
his strength Is spent. It would be
batting the bull. A risk-a risk--but,
my boy. am going to"
Partow's head. which was bent in
thought, dropped with Jerk. A con-
vulsion shook him and he fell forward
onto the map, his brave old heart In
It's last 1utter. and Lanstron 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." Ian.
stron concluded. 1T seemed to me
an inspiration-his last inspiration
to make the counter-attack q feint."
"And you're acting chief of stan
LannyH You against Westerlingf"
Yes"
The colonel Of the 12sth and Captain
Fracasse were eating their biscuits to
gether and making occasional remarks
rather than holding q conversation.
We'll. Westerling is neld-mar.
shall" said the colonel.
Yes, he's got something out Of Ill"
"The men seem to be losing spirit
there's not doubt of i'll" exclaimed the
colonel, more aloud to himself than
to Fracasse, after q while.
mo wonderl" replied Fracasse. Mar
tinet though he was, he spoke In grum-
bling loyalty to his soldiers. What
kind o. spirit Is there in doing the
work of navviesf Spirit No sol
diers ever fought better-in invasion.
at least. Look at our lossesl Spirit
Westerling drives US in. He thinks
we can climb Niagara Fallsl He"
"Stopl You are talking like an an
archist!" snapped the colonel. How
can the men have spirit when you feel
that wayf"
Il shall continue to obey orders and
do my duty. sirl" replied Fracasse.
"And they VIII, too. or I'll know the
reason why"
There was a silence, but at length
the colonel exploded:
Il suppose westerling knows what
he Is doingl"
-stin we must so oni We must
winl"
yes. the offensive always wins In
the end. We must go onl"
"And once we have the range-yes,
once we've won one vital position-the
men will recover their enthusiasm and
be crying: On 20 the eapital!'"
Right We were forgetting history.
We were forgetting the volatility Of
human nature"
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