The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-02-13
CHAPTER XXI.


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Blinking as she came out OF the
darkness into the bright light. with
a lock OF her dew-sprinkled dark hair
free and brushing her flushed cheek
Marta saw the division chiefs OF the
Browns. after their start when Ian.
stron spoke her name. all stand at
the salute. looking at her rather than
at him. The reality In the flesh of
4 the woman who had been a comrade
In service. sacrificing her sensibilities
for their cause, appealed TO them as
true likeness Of their conceptions OF
her. In their eyes she might read the
finest thing that can pass from mans
TO woman's or from mans TO mans.
/ These were the strong men OF her PEG
pie who had driven the burglar from
/ her house with the sword OF Justice
Their tribute had the steadfast loyalty
OF soldiers who were craving to do
anything In the world that she might
ask, whether to go on their knees to
her or to kill dragons for her
II may come in?" she asked.
"Who If not you is entitled to the
privilege OF the star council?" ex-
claimed the vice-chief
The others did not propose to let
him do all the honors. Each muir
INJURED words OF welcome on his own
account
I'VE are here. thanks TO you!"
And, thanks to you. our flag Will
float over the Gray range"
She must be tired, was their next
thought Four or five OF them hurried
to place a chair for her. the vice-chief
winning over his rivals. more through
the exercise of the rights OF rank than
by any superior alacrity.
"You are appointed actual chief OF
staff and a field marshall" said the
vice-chief to Lanstron. "The premier
says that every honor the nation can
bestow is yours. The capital is mad.
The crowds are crying: ON to the
Gray capitali' Tomorrow is TO be a
public holiday and they are calling n
Lanstron Day. The thing was so
sudden that the SPECTATORS who de-
pressed our securities in the worlds
markets have got their due ruin.
And we ought to get an indemnity
that will pay the cost OF the war"
Seated at one side, Marta could
watch all that passed. herself unob-
served. She noted touch of color
come TO Lanstron's cheeks as he made
little shrug of protest
Then she saw their faces grow bust
nesslIke and keen, as they gathered
around the table, with Lanstron at the
head. They were oblivious of her
presence. immured in a mans world
OF war
your orders were obeyed. We
have not passed a single white post
yeti" said the vlce-chief impatiently
"As the Grays never expected to take
the defensive, their fortresses are in
ferior Every hour we wait means
more time for them TO fortify, more
time to recover from their demorah.
cation. Our dirigibies having COM
mand Of the air-we had wireless
from one reporting all clear halfway
10 the Gray capital--why. We shall
know their concentrations while they
are ignorant Of ours. It's the nations
great opportunity to gain enough
provinces 20 even the balance OF popu-
lation with the Grays. With the unre.
hitting offensive, blow on blow, using
the spirit OF our men to drive In mass
attacks at the right points. the Gray
range IS Yurs!" --~
Marta scanned the faces OF the STAFF
for some sign of dissent only 10 find
nothing but the ardor OF victory call
ing FOR more victory. which reflected
the feeling OF the coursing crowds in
the capital. Though Lanny wished to
stop the war. he was only a chip on
the crest Of wave. Public opinion,
which had made him an idol. would
discard him as soon as he ceased 20 be
hero I'm the likeness OF it's desires.
She saw him aloof as the others, In
preoccupation, bent over the map out
lining the plan or attack that they
had worked out while awaiting their
chiefs return from the charge, He
was taking a paper from HIS pocket
and looking from one to another OF his
colleagues studlously; and she was
conscious Of that determination in his
smile which she had first seen when
he rose from the wreck Of his plane
This Is from Partow a message
for you and the nationi" he ait
nounced, as he spread few thin, type.
written pages out on the table ~
was under promise never 70 reveal its
contents unless our army drove the
Crays back across the frontier The
original Is Ia the STAFF vaults have
carried this copy With me-"
At the mention In an arrosting tone
of that name Of the dead chief. to
which the days events had given the
prestige Of one OF the heroes or old
there was grave attention
II think we have practically agreed
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