The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-03-12
CHAPTER XXI.
The LAST Shot

Blinking as she came out OF the
darkness into ass bright light, with
a lock OF her dew-sprinkled dark hair
free and brushing her flushed cheek.
Marta saw the division chiefs OF tho
Browns, after their start when Lar.
stron spoke her name. all stand at
the salute. looking nj her rather than
at him. The reality I'm the flesh OF
the woman who had been n comrade
in service, sacrificing her sensibilities
for their cause. appealed To them as
true likeness OF their conceptions OF
her. In their eyes she might read the
finest thing that can pass from mans
TO woman's or from mans 10 mans.
These were the strong men OF her peo-
pie who had driven the burglar from
her house with the sword OF Justice.
Their tribute had the steadfast loyalty
OF soldiers who were craving to do
anything In the world that she might
ask, whether 10 go on their knees to
her or 10 kill dragons for her.
II may come in?" she asked
"Who II not you is entitled to the
privilege OF the stan council7" ex-
claimed the vice-chief.
The others did not propose TO let
him do all the honors. Each muir
INJURED words OF welcome on his own
account.
I'VE are here. thanks 10 you!"
And. thanks to you. our flag will
! float over the Gray range!"
y hi
thought. Four or fve OF them hurried
| 10 place chair for her. the vice-chicf
winning over his rivals. more through
| the exercise OF the rights OF rank than
by any superior alacrity.
You are appointed actual chief OF
staff and field marshall" said tho
yice-chief To Lanstron. The premier
says that every honor the nation can
bestow IL yours. The capital IN mad.
! The crowds are crying: ON To tho
Gray capital!' Tomorrow is 10 bo "A
public holiday and they are calling n
Lanstron Day The thing was 80
sudden that the spectators who de-
pressed our securities in the worlds
markets have got their due-ruin!
And we ought 10 get an indemnity
that will pay the cost OF the war"
Seated at one side. Marta could
watch all that passed, herself unob-
served. She noted IA touch OF color
come to Lanstron's cheeks as no made
little shrug OF protest.
Then she saw their faces grow bust
nesslike and keen. as they gathered
around the table, with Lanstron at tho
head They were oblivious OF her
presence. immured I'm mans world
OF war.
Your orders were obeyed. We
have not passed a single white post
yeti" said the vlce-chief impatiently.
"As the Grays never expected to take
the defensive, their fortresses are In
ferior Every hour we wait means
more time for them TO fortify, more
time TO recover from their demorali-
zation. Our dirigibles having eom-
mand OF the air--we had wireless
from one reporting all clear halfway
10 the Gray capital-why, we shall
know their concentrations while they
are ignorant OF ours. It's the nations
great opportunity 10 gain enough
provinces TO even the balance OF popu-
lation with the Grays. With the unre-
mitting offensive. blow on blow, using
the spirit OF our men to drive I'm mass
attacks at the right points. the Gray
range is ours!"
Marta scanned the faces OF the stan
for some sign OF dissent only TO find
nothing but the ardor OF victory call
ing for more victory. which reflected
the feeling OF the coursing crowds In
the capital Though Lanny wished TO
stop the war, he was only n chip on
! the crest OF a wave. Public opinion,
which had made him an idol, would
! discard him az soon as he ceased 10 be
! a hero In the likeness OF It's desires.
! She saw him aloof az the others. In
! preoccupation, bent over the map out
! lining the plan OF attack that they
| had worked out while awaiting their
| chiefs return from the charge. He
was taking a paper from his pocket
and looking from one TO another OF his
colleagues studiously; and she was
| conscious OF that determination In his
smile which she had first seen when
he rose from the wreck Of his plane
This is from Partow: message
| for you and the natlonl" he ali.
nounced. az he spread a few thin, type
written pages out on the table. II
was under promise never 10 reveal It's
contents unless our army drove the
Grays back across the frontier The
original IL In the stan vaults. have
carried this copy with me"
At the mention in an arresting tone
OF that name OF the dead chief. t.
which the days events had given the
prestige OF one of the heroes Of old
there was grave attention
CTO BE CONTTNUED)