Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-01-14

! lowed by their comrades. Soon the
whole garden was overrun by the lean,
businessIke fellows, their glances all
ferret-like to the front
Look, Minna!" exclaimed Marta.
The giant who carried the old man in
pickaback the first night Of the wari"
Nina was flushing, but the flush
dissipated and she drew up her chin
when Stransky, looking around, recog-
nized her with a merry, confident
wave of his hand.
See, he's a captain and he wears
an iron cross" said Marta as Stransky
fastened toward them.
He acts like it," assented Minna
grudgingIy.
Eager, IeYiathan, his cap dofed with
a sweeping gesture as he made a low
bow, Strsnsky was the very spirit of
retributiye victory returning to claim
the ground that he had lost.
well, this is like getting home
again!" he cried.
$50 1 see!" said Minna eQuivocaIIy
Stransky drew his eyes together
sighting them on the bridge of his nose
thoughtfully at this dubious reception.
q came back for the chance to kiss
a good woman's hand" he observed
with a profound awkwardness and
looking at Minna's hand. Your
hand!" he added, the cast in his eyes
Strengthening as he looked directly at
her appealingly.
She extended her fnger-tips and he
pressed his lips to them.
81 kept seeing the way you looked
when you belted me one in the face
he went on, "and knocked any an
archism out OF ne that was left after
the shell burst. l kept seeing your
face in my last glimpse when the
Grays made me run for it from your
kitchen door before had half a chance
for the Grafton crying for voice. You
were in my dreams! You were in bat
tie with mel"
''This sounds like a disordered
mind" observed Minna 1--WE heard
men talk that way before"
'Oh, have talked that way to other
women myself" said Stransky.
Yes said Minna bitterly. His can
dor was rather unexpected.
81 have talked to others in passing
on the high road" he continued. But
never after a woman had struck me in
the face. That blow sank deep-deep
deep as what Lanstron said when
revolted on the march I say it to you
with this"-he touched the erosion
my breast. And I'm not going to give
you up. It's a big world There's
room in it for place for you after the
war is over and I'm going to make the
place. Good-by till I'm Blackjack to
stay! Good-by, little daughter!" he
added with a wave of his hand to Clar-
issa as he turned to go. Maybe we
shall have our own automobile some
day. It's no stranger than what's been
happening to me since the war began"
eff you don't marry him, Minna, I'll
I'll" Mrs. Galland could not find
words for the fearful thing that she
would do.
Marry him! l have only met him
three times for about three minutes
each time!" protested Minna She
was as rosy as a girl and in her confu-
sion she busted herself relying the rib
bon on Clarissa EiIeens hair. He
called you little daughter!" she said
softly to the child as she withdrew into
the tower.
Marta remained in the chair by the
doorway of the tower, weak and list
less. Now her lashes were closed;
again they opened slightly as her gaze
roved the semicircle of the horizon. A
mounted officer and his orderly gallop-
ing across the fields to the pass road
caught her desultory attention and
held it, for they formed the most i'm
petuous object on the landscape. When
the officer alighted at the foot of the
garden and tossed his reins to the Or
derby, she detected something familiar
about him. He leaped the garden wall
at bound and, half running, came to-
ward the tower. Not until he lifted his
cap and waved it did she associate this
1.-the, dapper artillerist with a stopped
old gardener in blue blouse and torn
straw hat who had once shuff1ed among
the flowers at her service.
Hello! Hello!" he shouted in
clarion greeting at sight of her. Hello,
my successori"
Only in the whiteness of his hair
vas he like the old Teller. HIS tone,
the boyish sparkle of his black eyes,
those full, expressive lips playing
over the brilliant teeth, his easy grace,
his quick and telling gestures-they
we're of the Feller of cadet days.
onderful--Wounded! Wonderful!
Was there ever such a woman?" he
cried. "Destiay has played with US.
It sent spy to your garden. 1t put
you in my place. A strange service,
ours-yes, destiny is in it!''
yes" she breathed painfully, his
suggestion striking deep.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)