Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-02-03

the wreck appeared so distinct. She
could see every detail Of his looks;
feel his twinges OF pain while he
smiled. Was the revelation the more
vivid because il had once occurred
to her since the war began? 1t shut
out the presence OF the officers; she
no longer heard what they we're say
ing. Black fear was enveloping her.
Vaguely she understood that they
were looking away at something. She
heard the roar of artillery not far dis
tant and following their gaze toward
the knoll where Dellarme's men had
received their baptism of fire, now IN
der canopy of shrapnel smoke
That's about their last stand in the
tangent, their last snarI on our sol"
remarked the brigade commander.
And we're raining shells on IT."
said his aide with our glasses we'll
be able to watch the infantry go in"
Eyes. very we'll"
We're all used to how II feels, now
Wen see how it looks at a distance"
piped one Of the soldiers.
Not until he had shouted to them
did they notice a division staff-officer
who had come up from the road. He
had piece of astounding news to i'm
part before he mentioned official bust
ness.
What do you think of this?" he
cried. Nothing could stop him. Ian
stron-yes, Lanstron has gone into
that charge with the African Braves!"
'Why?" Marta heard the officers
around her asking after their excla-
nations of amazement at the news
that Lanstron was going in the
charge. why should the chief of STAFF
risk his life in this fashion,"
Marta knew. All her taunts about
sending others to death from his office
chair, uttered as the fugitive sarcasm
of mood, required in the merclless
hammerbeat of recollection. For a
moment she was aghast, speeches..
Then the officers, occupied with the
startling news. heard voice,
wrenched from dry throat in an
guish, saying:
1.-THE telephone! Try to reach him.
Tell him he must mott"
I'VE can hardly say must not to a
chief of staff" said the general auto
matically.
"Tell him / ask him not tol Try
to reach him-try-you can tryi"
Yes. yes! Certainly" exclaimed
the general, turning to the telephone
operator.
He had seen now what the younger
men had seen at glance They were
recalling Lanstron's relief at seeing
her; how he had passed them by to
speak to her; the intensity OF the two
in their almost wordless meeting
Her bloodless lips, the imploring pas.
sion in her eyes. her quivering impa-
thence told the rest.
Division headquarters" called the
operator. They're getting brigade
headquarters" he added while he
waited in silence. Brigade headquar-
ters says the Braves have no wire. It's
too late. The charge is starting"
$50 1t Isl" cried one of the subal.
terms. Look Look"
Marta looked toward the rising
ground this side of the knoll in time
to see bayonets flash in the waning
afternoon sunlight and disappear as
they descended the slope.
"Therel They're up on the other
slope without stopping!" exclaimed
the general Quick! Don't you want
to see?" He offered his glasses to
Marta.
'No, can see well enough" she
murmured, though the landscape was
moving before her eyes in giddy
waves
THE madness OF 1t! The whole
slope is peppered with the TALENT"
What cost Magnificent. but not
war. Carrying their flag in the good
old way. right at the 'front.'"
Heavens! hope they do It'll"
THE flags down."
Another man has tits up!"
"Now-now-splendidl They're int"
80 they arel And the flag, tool"
YES, what's left are I'M"
And Lanstron was therein thatl"
NAtdt IL
Eyes. the chief of staff. the head OF
the army, In an affair like that"
THE mind of the army-the mind
that was to direct our advanced"
when all the honors of the world
are hist"
Their words were acid-tIpped nee.
dies knitting back and forth through
Marta's brain. Was Lanny one of
those black specks that peppered the
slope? Was he? Was he?
Telephone and-and see II Lanny
isis killed." she begged.
'T1l go--I'll go out there where he
isl" she said incoherently, still look
ing toward the knoll with glazed eyes.
She thought she was walking fast as
she sSared for the garden gate, but
really she was going slowly. stun
blingly.
Il think you had better stop her If
you can" said the general to his aide
The aide overlook her at the gate.
ave shall know ah0ut his excelIeDev