The Red Cloud chief., 1915-03-25

Of infantry that we're in confused re-
treat down the slopes, while all traffic
on the pass road was moving toward
the rear. Impelled by q new appre-
hension she hurried to the tunnel.
Lanstron answered her promptly in q
voice that had a ring Of relief aud Joy
in place Of the tension that had char
acterized 1t since the outbreak Of the
war.
Thanks to you. Marital" he cried.
Everything goes back to you--thanks
to you came this chance to attack. and
we are succeeding at every point! You
are the general. you the maker Of vic
tories!"
"Yes. the general Of still more kill
ing!" che cried in Indignation. why
have you gone on with the Slaughter
I did not help you for this. Why?"
No reply came. She poured out
more questions. and still no reply. She
pressed the button and tried again. but
she might as we'll have been talking
over dead wire.
One man alone against tho tide
rather. the man who has seen . tide
rise at his orders now finding all Its
sweep against Misunderstanding, accus-
toned to have millions Of men move
at his command. found himself. one
man out of the millions, still and help
xp,ht tnx - thnt tvvN.
| pulses.
AS news Of positions lost came In,
he could only grimly repeat. Hold!
Tell them to hold" fruitlessly. like ad-
juratione to the wind to cease blowing.
The bell OF the long distance kept
ringing unheeded, until at last his aide
came to say that the premier must
speak either to him or to the vice.
chief Westerling staggered to his
feet and with lurching steps went into
the closet. There he sank down on the
chair in heap. staring at the tele-
phone mouthpiece. Again the bell rang
Clenching his hands in rocking ef-
once more as he took down the re-
ceiver. To admit defeat to the pre-
mier-no. he was not ready for that
yet.
THE truth is out!" said the premier
without any break in his voice and
with the fatalism of one who never
allows himself to blink fact. "Teleg-
raphers at the front who got out OF
touch with the staff we're still In touch
with the capital. Once the reports be-
gan to come. they poured in-decima.
ton Of the attacking column. panic
and retreat in other portions OF the
line-chaos!"
ITS a lie!" Westerling declared
vehemently.
1.-THE news has reached the press, IT
the premier proceeded. Editions are
already in the streets"
What! Where is your censorship"
gasped Westerling.
1T Is helpless, q straw protesting
against a current" the premier re-
piled. "A censorship goes back to
physical force. as every law does In
the end--to the police and the army;
and all. these days. finally to public
opinion. After weeks OF secrecy. OF re-
ported successes. when nobody really
knew what was happening, this sudden
disillusioning announcement Of the
truth has sent the public mad"
1T Is your business to control the
public!" complained Westerling.
with what, now? With a speech OF
a lullaby? AS we'll could you stop the
retreat with your naked hands. My
business to control the public. yes. but
not unless you win victories. / gave
you the soldiers. We have nothing but
police here, and tell you that the pub
lie is In a mob rage-the whole public
bankers and business and professional
men included. l have Just ordered the
stock exchange and all banks closed"
, There's a cure for mobs!" CRIED
| Westerling. Let the police fire few
: volleys and they'll behave"
Would that stop the retreat Of thu
/ army? We must sue for peace"
, Sue for peace! Sue for peace wher
I we have five millions against theil
three!'
1T seems 30, as the three millioni
, are winning!" said the premier.
sue for peace because women q
. historical? Do you suppose that thu
? Browns will listen now when the!
} think they have the advantage? Leave
, peace to me! Give me forty-eight hour
. more! | have told our troops to holt
3 and they will hold. don't mistake
!. cowardly telegraphers' rumors TO
. facts"
3 Pardon me moment" the premie
|. interrupted. 81 must answer ioca
: call" So astute man Of affairs a
4 he knew that Westerlings voice. storm
ing, breaking. tightening with effort o
! control, confirmed all reports OF dis
= aster. I'm fact, the crockery Is broker
for you and for mel" said the pre-
q mier when he spoke again. His III
II Nd In IN