The Red Cloud chief., 1915-02-18
CHAPTER xlv-ContInued.

The subjective enjoyment OF the
declaration kept him from any keen
notice OF the effect OF his words.
Lanny was right. 1t had been war
OF deliberate conquest; a war to
crafty personal ambition. All her life
Marta would be able to live over again
the feelings Of this moment. 1t was as
II she were frozen, all except brain
and nerves, which were on fire. while
the rigidity Of ice kept her from
springing from her chair In contempt
and horror. But purpose came on the
wings OF diabolical temptation which
would pit the art of woman against
the power OF man who set millions
against millions In slaughter to crafty
personal ambition. She was thankful
that she was looking down as she
spoke. for she could not bring herself
% another compliment. Her throat
vas too chilled for that yet.
"The one way to end the feud be-
tween the two nations was war that
would mean permanent peace" he ex.
planned. seeing how quiet she was and
realizing. with recollection Of her
children's oath. that he had gone lit
tle too far. He wanted to retain her
admiration. It had become as precious
60 him as a new delicacy to Lucullus
"Yes. understand" she managed
20 murmur; then she was able to look
up. TITS all 30 immense!" she added.
"Your ideas about war seem to be a
great deal changed" he limited
casually.
"As l expressed them Mt the hotel,
you meant" she exclaimed. THAT
seems ages ago-ages!" The perplex-
fly and indecision that. in a space of
silence. brooded in the depths OF her
eyes came to the surface in wavering
lights. "Yes. ages! ages!" The waver
ing lights grew dim with kind of hor
ror and she looked away fixedly at q
given point.
He was conscious Of q thrill; the
thrill that always presaged victory fol
him. He realized her evident dis
tress: he guessed that terrible pic
tures were moving before her vision.
"You see. l have been very muci
stirred up" she said half apologetical
ly. There are some questions wan
TO ask-quite practical. selfish ques
uons. You might call them question
of property and mercy. The longe
the war lasts the greater will be tn
toss OF life and the misery?"
"Yes. for both sides; and the heavie
the expense and the taxes"
"If you win. then we shall be unde
your flag and pay taxes to your"
"Yes. naturally"
'The Browns do not increase 1
population: the Grays do rapidly. The
are q great. powerful. civilized rae,
They stand for civilization"
"Yes. facts and the worlds opinio
Agree." he replied. Puzzled he migt
well be by this peculiar catechism. II
could only continue to reply until b
should see where she was leading.
sand your victory will mean ne
frontier. a new order of information,
relations and a long peace. you think
Peace-a long peace!"
Was there ever q soldier who d.
not fight for peace? Was there ever
call for more army-corps or guns tn,
was not made in the name of peace
He had his ready argument, spoke
with the forcible conviction of an e
pert.
This war was made for peace-tl
only kind Of peace that there can be
he said. my ambition. IL any glol
comes to me out of this war, is to ha'
later generations say: He broug
peace!'"
Though the premier, could he ha'
heard this, might have smiled. ev,
grinned. he would have undeBto
Westerling's Inconsistencies OF inco
sistency. The chief of staff had 6
himself q task In victory which h