The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1915-03-11

| Knew. NO, S0o bfOvnb VOusQ -
yield until they vers decimsted-
We have the nunbers to spare
Numbers shall press home-homs -
terms In their eapital!" Westerhngs
voics grew husky a he proceeded.
harsh ~ orders TO soldiers who hest
tated in face Of are. After that-after
that--ths tone changed from harsh
ness to desire. which was still the d.
sire OF possession-'ths fruits OF
| peace. . triumph that ] want you to
share!" He vas dra wing her toward
him with an impulse of the force OF
this desire. when she broke free with
an abrupt. struggling pull
mot that! Not that! Your work
10 not yet done!" she cried.
He made 4 move as IL to persist.
,, then he fell hack with . gesture OF
understanding.
Right! Hold me to it," he ex.
claimed resolutely. Hold me to the
bargain! So q woman worth while
should hold . man worth while"
"Yes!" she managed to say. and
turned to go in q sudden impetus OF
energy. Half running. half stumbling.
the light Of the lantern bobbing and
trembling weirdly. she FASTENED
through the tunnel. Usually the time
for taking the receiver down till
Lanny replied was only q half min.
ute. Now she waited what seemed
many minutes without response. Had
the connections been broken? To
make sure that her impatience was
not tricking her she began to count
OF the seconds. Then she heard Ian.
stron's voice. broken and hoarse:
Marta. Marta, he is dead! Partow
Is dead!"
Recovering himself, Lanstron told
the story Of Partows going. which was
in keeping with his life and his
prayers. Az the doctor put 1t, the
light Of his mind. turned on full volt
age to the last. went out without q
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. a habit of his in Lanstron's com.
pany, when an idea requiring gesta.
tion came to him.
my boy, 1t Is not fatal II we lose
the apron Of Engadir. The defenses
behind 1t are very strong"
No. 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 Galland's position
would be secure. Hm-m-m-those
whom the gods would destroy
hm-m-m. Westerling will be con.
vinced 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. 1t 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
its last flutter. and Lanstron was alone
in the silent room with the dead and
his responsibility.
"The order that knew he was about
to speak. Marta, l gave for him." Ian.
stron concluded. 1T seemed to me
an inspiration-his last inspiration
to make the counter-attack feint."
And you're acting chief of stan,
Lanny? You against Westerling?"
Yes"
The colonel Of the 12Sth and Captain
Fracasse were eating their biscuits to
gether and making occasional remarks
rather than holding a conversation.
well, Westerling is a tield-mar.
shal," said the colonel.
Yes, he's got something out OF i'll"
1.-The men seem to be losing spirit
there's not doubt of it," exclaimed the
colonel, more aloud to himself than
to Fracasse. after a while.
mo wonder!" replied Fracasse. Mar.
tinet though he was. he spoke in grum.
bling loyalty to his soldiers. What
kind of spirit Is there in doing the
work of navvies? Spirit! No sol.
diers ever fought better-in invasion,
at least. Look at our losses! Spiriti
Westerling drives US in. He thinks
we can climb Niagara Falls! He"
stop! You are talking like an an
archist!" snapped the colonel. How
can the men have spirit when you feel
that way?"
II shall continue to obey orders and
do my duty, sir!" replied Fracasse.
And they will, too, or I'll know the
reason why"
There was silence, but at length
the colonel exploded:
Il suppose Westerling knows what
ho Ia dOinUib