The Monticellonian., 1915-03-11

said as he saw her appear from the shelter of the arbor.
 She wondered if she were going to fall. But the post of the trellis was | within reach. She caught hold e it I to steady herself Failedl
 'The killing-it must have been ter rible!" her mind at last made her ex- claim to cover her tardiness of re- sponse to his mood.
 You thought of that-as you should as 1 dol" he said.
 He took her hands in his, pulsing warm with the flowing red of his strength. She let them y vain life ;, lessly. as if she had not lie will to take them away, the inse net of her part again dominant. To him this was another victory, and 1t was discovery the discovery Of melting weakness in her for the first time which magni- l fled his sense of masculine power He frightened his grip slightly and she shuddered.
 You are tired!" he said, and it hurt her that he should be so considerate
 The killing-to end that! It's all I want" she breathed miserably.
 And the end is near!" he said Yes, now. thanks to you!"
 Thanks to her! And she must listen and submit to his touch!
 Then engineers and material were ready to go in,' he continued Be fore morning, as I had planned, we shall be so well fortified in the posi- l tion that nothing can budge us This success so strengthens my power with the staff and the premier that I need not wait on Fabian tactics. 1 am supreme l shall make the most of the demoralization of this blow to the enemy. 1 shall not wait on slow ap- breaches in the hope of saving life Tomorrow l shall attack and keep on attacking till all the main line is ours. !"
 Now you are playing your real part, the conqueror!" she thought gladly. Your kind of peace is the ruin of an | other people; the peace of a helpless enemy. That is better"-better for her conscience. Unwittingly, she allowed her hands to remain in his. In the pa- ralysis of despair she was unconscious that she had hands. She felt that she could endure anything to retrieve the error into which she had been the means of leading the Browns. And the killing-it would not stop, she knew. No, the Browns would not yield until they were decimated.
 We have the numbers to spare. Numbers shall press home-home to terms in their capitall" Westerling's s voice grew husky as he proceeded, harsh as orders to soldiers who hesi- tated in face of fire. After that-after that'-the tone changed from harsh ness to desire, which was still the de sire of possession-"th fruits of peace. triumph that 1 want you to sharei' He was drawing her toward him with an impulse of the force of this desire, when she broke free with an abrupt, struggling pull.
 Not that! Not that! Your work is not yet donei" she cried.
 He made a move as if to persist, then he fell back with gesture of understanding.
 Right! Hold me to it," he ex- claimed resolutely. Hold me to the bargain So a woman worth while should hold man worth while"
 .Yes!" she managed to say, and 1 turned to go in a sudden impetus of energy. Half running, half stumbling the light of the lantern bobbing and trembling weirdly, she hastened through the tunnel. Usually the time for taking the receiver down till Lanny replied was only half min ute. Now she waited what seemed many minutes without response. Had the connections been broken? Tc make sure that her impatience was not tricking her she began to count off the seconds. Then she heard Lan stron's voice, broken and hoarse:
 Marta, Marta, he is deadl Partow is dead."
 Recovering himself, Lanstron told the story of Partow's 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 so 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 tion came to him.
 My boy, it is not fatal if we lose