The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-01-01
ais his plans 10 LHHSITUH.
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S'APTER
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Now Dellarme disposed his me-,
line back Of the ridge Of fresh earth
that they had dug in the night, ready
to rush to their places when he blew
the whistle that hung from his neck,
but he did not allow them glimpse
over the crest.
Il know that you are curious, but
powerful glasses are watching for you
to show yourselves; and if battery
turned loose on US you'd understand
he explained
Thus the hours wore on, and the
church clock struck nine and ten
Never movement down there"
called the sergeant from the crest to
IDellarme. Maybe this Is just their
final bluff before they come to terms
about Bodlapoo'-that stretch Of Az
rican jungle that seemed very far
away to them all.
Let US hope sol" said Dellarme
seriously.
Choosing to go to town by the
castle road rather than down the ter.
race to the main pass road. Marta,
starting for the regular Sunday ser
vice of her school, as she emerged
from the grounds, saw Teller, garden.
shears In hand, figure Of stone
watching the approach of some field
batteries. The question of allowing
him to undertake his part as a spy
had drifted into the background of her
mind under the distressing and ever
present pressure Of the crisis. He was
to remain until there was war. She
was almost past him before he real
ized her presence, which he acknowl-
edged by startled movement and q
step forward as he took off his hat.
She paused. His eyes were glowing
like Goals under a blower as he looked
at her and again at the batteries,
seeming to include her with the guns
in the spell Of his fervid abstraction.
Frontier closed last night to pre-
vent intelligence about our prepare
tons leaking out-Lanny's plan all
alive-the guns coming" he said, ,his
shoulders stiffsni any6bld ht;s and beaming
with the ardor of youth in action
troops moving here and there to their
places-engineers preparing the de-
fenses-automatics at critical points
with the Observation-Disclosures laid
field-telephones set up-the wireless
spitting-the caissons full-planes and
dirigibles ready-search-light in DO.
sition-"
There the torrent Of his broken sen.
fences was checked. A shadow passed
In front of him. He came out of his
trance Of imageries of activities, sc
wildly clear to his military mind, tc
realize that Marta was abruptly leav
ing.
Miss Galland!" he called urgently
Firing may commence at any min
ute. You must not 60 into town."
"But l must!" she declared speak
ing over her shoulder while she
passed. 1t was clear that no warning
would prevail against her detefr.. .et
mood.
Then l shall 60 with you'll" he said
starting toward her with light step
ut is not necessary, thank you!'
she answered, more coldly than she
had ever spoken to him. This had {
magically quick effect on his atti
tude.
81 beg your pardon! forgot" hi
explained in his old mans voice, hi.
head sinking, his shoulders dropping
in the humility of q servant who rec
ognizes that he has been properly re
buked for presumption. mot a gun
ner any more-I'm spy!" he thought
as he shuffled off without looking
toward the batteries again, though thu
music Of wheels and hoofs was now
close by.
Marta had glimpse of him as shs
turned away. He is what he is be
cause OF the army; victim Of cult
a habit" she was thinking. Had he
been in any other calling his fine quail
tiles might have been of service to the
world and he would have been happy.
A company of infantry resting
among their stacked rifles changed
the color of the square In the distance
nsm the gray pavement to the brown