The Southern herald., 1915-04-16
CHAPTER xVI-contInued.

This is like you-like what want
kou to be-" he said. you are right"
He caught her hand inclosing it en-
tirely in his grip, and she was SEN
Bible, in kind of dazed horror, Of the
thrill Of his strength. Nothing can
stop ue Numbers will win! Hard
fighting in the mercy of quick end!"
he declared with his old rigidity of
five against three which was welcome
to her. Then" he added =" and
then"
"Then!" she repeated, averting her
glance. Then" There the devil
ended the sentence and she withdrew
her 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.
Il don't feel decent" she thought.
Society turned on Minna for a hui
man weakness, but I'm not a human
being! / am one Of the pawns Of the
machine Of war!"
Walking slowly with lowered head
Gs she left the arbor, she almost ran
into Bouchard, who apologized with
the single word "Pardon!" as he lifted
his cap in overdone courtesy, which
his stolid brevity made the more con-
spicuous.
Miss Galland, you seem lost in alb
straction," he said in sudden loQuac.
ity. Il am almost on the point OF
accusing you Of being a poet"
"Accusingl" she replied. "Then you
must think that l would write bad
poetry"
ION the contrary, should say ex.
cellent-using the sonnet FORM" he re-
turned,
Il might make a counter accusa
ton, only that yours would be the
epic FORM" answered Marta. For you
too, seem fond Of rambling"
There was yelled challenge in the
hawk eyes. which she met with com
monplace politeness in hers, before
be again lifted his cap and proceeded
on his way.
For the next two weeks Marta's role
resolved itself into kind Of routine
Their cramped quarters became q
refuge to Marta In the trial of hel
secret work under the very nose o
the staff. With little Clarissa Eileen
they formed the only feminine society
In the neighborhood On sunshiny
days Mrs. Galland was usually to b.
found in her favorite chair outside
the tower door; and here Minna SCI
the urn on table at four-thirty as IL
the old days.
No member Of the staff was NOR.
frequently present at Martas teal
than Bouchard, who was developin,
his social instinct late in life by sit
ting in the background and allowln,
others to do the talking while h,
watched and listened. In his hearing
Marta's attitude toward the progress
Of the war was sympathetic but neve
interrogatory, while she shared atteu
ton with Clarissa Eileen, who was Il
danger Of becoming spoiled by officer
who had children of their own at home
After the reports Of killed and wound
cd, which came with such appalling
regularity, 1t was a relief to hear O
the days casualties among Clarissa'
dolls. The chief Of transportation
and supply rode her on his shoulder
the chief of tactics played hide-and
seek with her; the chief enginee
built her doll house Of stones witt
his own hands; and the chief medica
officer was as concerned when sh
caught cold as If the health Of tn
army we're at stake.
I'VE mustn't get too set up over al
this attention. Clarissa Eileen, my r
val" said Marta to the child. "Yo
are the only little girl and l am tn
only big girl within reach. If ther
were lots Of others II would be dii
ferent"
Rouah4pd vas losing nesh; his eye