The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-06-11
CHAPTER XXI.
The Last Shot.

blinking as she came out OF Vno
darkness into the bright light with
a lock Of her dew-sprinkled dark hair
free and brushing her flushed cheek.
Marta saw the division chiefs of the
Browns, after their start when Lam
stron spoke her name, all stand at
the salute, looking at her rather than
at him. The reality in the flesh Of
the woman who had been comrade
In service, sacrificing her sensibilities
for their cause. appealed to them as
a 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 to 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 to 60 on their knees ts
her or to kill dragons for her.
'T may come INF" she asked.
who II not you is entitled to the
privilege OF the stan counciif" 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 to you!"
"And, thanks to you. our flag will
float over the Gray rangel"
She must be tired, was theiT next
thought. Four or FIVE Of them hurried
to place a chair for her, the vice-chiet
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 a field marshall" said the
vice-chief to Lanstron. "The premier
says that every honor the nation can
bestow is yours. The capital is mad,
The crowds are crying: On to the
Gray capitall' Tomorrow is to be a
public holiday and they are calling 1t
Lanstron Day. The thing was 30
sudden that the spectators who de-
pressed our securities in the worlds
markets have got their due-ruin!
And we ought to 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 touch of color
come to Lanstron's cheeks as he made
a little shrug OF protest.
Then she saw their faces grow bust.
nesslike and keen, as they gathered
around the table. with Lanstron at the
head. They were oblivious of her
presence, immured in mans world
Of war.
"Your orders we're obeyed. We
have not passed single white post
yeti" said the vice-chief impatiently
"As the Grays never expected to take
the defensive. their fortresses are In.
ferior. Every hour we walt means
more time for them to fortify. more
time to recover from their demoralt
zation. Our dirigibles having com.
mand Of the air-we had wireless
from one reporting ell clear halfway
10 the Gray capital-why. we shall
know their concentrations while they
are ignorant OF ours. It's the nations
great opportunity to gain enough
provinces to even the balance OF popu.
iation with the Grays. With the unre-
hitting offensive. blow on blow. using
the spirit Of our men to drive In 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 chip on
the crest Of wave. Public opinion,
which had made him an idol, would
discard him as soon as he ceased 10 be
hero In the likeness Of Its desires.
She saw him aloof as 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 q 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 bis plane.
This Is from Partow: . message
for you and the nauoni' he an
nounced, as he spread few thin. type
written pages out on the table. i
was under promise never TO reveal its
contents unless our army drove the
Crsys back across the frontier. The
original 10 In the stan vaults. ! have
carried this copy with me"
At the mention In an arresting tone
Of that name Of the dead chief. to
which the days events had given the
prestige Of one Of the heroes Of old.
there Vas grave attention.
Go BE cONTNUED)