The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-02-05
CHAPTER xvI-Continued.

"This "a like you-like what,I want
you 70 be!" he said. you are right"
Ha caught her hand. inclosing it en-
ttrely In his grip, and she was SEN
sible. in a kind of dazed horror, OF the
thrill of his strength. Nothing can
stop Us! Numbers will win! Hard
fighting in the mercy of quick end!"
he declared with his old rigidity Of
fve against three which was welcome
90 her. "Then." he added -"and
then"
"Then!" she repeated, averting her
glance. Then" There the devil
ended the sentence and she withdrew
hsr hand and felt the relief Of one es-
Gaping suffocation, to find that he had
realized that anything further during
that interview would be banality and
was rising to go.
II don't feel. decent!" she thought.
-aociety turned on Minna for a hu-
man weakness, but I'm not a human
Being! l am one of the pawns of the
machine of war!"
Walking slowly with lowered head
n she left the arbor, she almost ran
irso Bouchard, who apologized with
Ns single word "Pardon!" as he lifted
Dis cap in overdone courtesy, which
Eis stolid brevity made the more con-
spicuous.
"M:Bs Garland, you seem lost in abb
stIaction," he said in sudden loquac-
~. Il am almost on the point of
accusing you of being a poet"
Accusing" she replied. Then you
kust think that would write bad
portry."
ION the contrary. should say ex-
Selient-ustng ihe sonnet FORM" he re-
turned.
II migb8 make a counter accusa-
don. only that yours would be the
epic form" answered Marta. For you.
COO, rem fond of rambling"
TDere was a yelled challenge in the
hawk eyes. which she met with COM
mohplace politenees In hers, before
be again lifted his cap and proceeded
On hie way.
resolved itself into kind of routine
Their cramped quarters became q
<efuge to Marta In the trial OF her
secret work under the very nose of
he staff. With little Clarissa Eileen,
hsy formed the only feminine society
In the neighborhood. On sunshiny
days Mrs. Galland was usually to be
found In her favorite chair outside
the tower door; and here Minna set
che sru on a table at four-thirty as In
lhs old days.
No member OF the stafY was more
frequently present at Marta's teas
chan Bouchard, who was developing
his social instinct late In life by sit
dng in the background and allowing
others to do the talking while he
wstched and listened. In his hearing,
GSrta's attitude toward the progress
Of the war was sympathetic but never
lnterrogatory. while she shared atten-
doc with Clarissa Eileen, who was In
danger Of becoming spoiled by officers
who had children OF their own at home.
After the reports OF killed and wound
cd which came with such appalling
regularity. It was a relief to hear OF
Che days casualties among Clarissa's
aolls. The chief Of transportation
and supply rode her on his shoulder;
The chief OF tactics played hide-and-
seek with her; the chief engineer
built her a doll house of stones with
his own hands; and the chief medical
officer was as concerned when she
caught cold as II the health OF the
army were at stake.
we mustn't get too set up over all
this attention. Clarissa Eileen. my II
val" said Marta 20 tho child. You
are the only little girl and I am the
only big girl within reach. II there
we're lots OF others IL would be diff
Drent"
Bouchsrd vas losins flesh; HIS eyes