Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-01-22
The ast Shot
EDERICK PALMER
Copyright, 1914. by Charles Scribner's SonS

ing calmness and contained force of
Lanstron's voice over the telephone.
She was pleased to think that she had
not lost her temper in her talk with
the staff-officer No, she had not flared
once in indignation. 1t was as if she
had absorbed some of Lanny's own
self-control. Lanny would approve of
her in that scene with an officer of the
Grays. And she realized that change
had come over her-a change mex
plicable and telling-and she was
tired-oh, so tired! 1t had been ex-
hausting work, indeed, for one woman,
though she had been around the world,
making war on two armies.
The general staff-officer of the Grays,
who had tasted Martas temper on his
first call, when he returned the next
morning did not enter unannounced.
He rang the door-bell.
Il have a message for you from Cen
eral Westerling," he said to her. "The
general expresses his deep regret at
the unavoidable damage to your house
and grounds and has directed that
everything possible be done immedi-
ately in the way Of repairs"
In proof of this the officer called at
tention to a group of service-corps
men who were removing the sand-bags
from the first terrace Others were
at work in the garden setting uprooted
plants back into the earth.
His Excellency says" continued
the officer, that, although the house
is so admirably suited for staff pur-
poses, we will find another If you de-
sire"
He was too polite and too consid-
crate in his attitude for Marta not to
meet him in the same spirit.
THAT is what we should naturally
prefer" and Marta bowed her head in
indecision.
1--WE should have to begin installing
the telegraph and telephone service on
the lower floor at once" he remarked.
I'm fact, all arrangements must be
made before the generals arrival"
HE has been a guest here BEFORE"
she said reminiscently and detachedly.
Her head dropped lower, in appar-
ent disregard of his presence, as she
| took counsel with herself. She was
| perfectly STILL without even the move
ment of an eye-lash. Other considera-
tions than any he might suggest, he
subtly understood, held her attention.
| They were the criterion by which she
would at length assent or dissent, and
nothing could hurry the Marta Of to-
| day, who yesterday had been a
creature of feverish impulse.
1t seemed long time that he was
watching that wonderful profile under
the very black hair, soft with the soft
ness of flesh, yet firmly carved. She
lifted her head gradually, her eyes
sweeping past the spot where Del
larme had lain dying, where Feller
had manned the automatic, where
Stransky had thrown Pilzer over the
parapet. He saw the glance arrested
and focused on the flag of the Grays
which was floating from a staff on the
outskirts of the town, and slowly
glowingly, the light ripping on It's
folds was reflected in her face.
"She is for us! She is a Gray!" he
thought triumphantly. The woman
and the flag! The matter-of-fact staff
officer felt the thrill of sentiment
81 think we can arrange it," Marta
announced with rare smile of assent
sThen I'll go back to town and sci
the signal-corps men to work." he
said.
And when you come you will find
the house at your disposal" she as
sured him.
Except that he was raising his CAP
instead of saluting, he was conscious
of Withdrawing with the Difference due
to a superior.
In place Of the smile, after he hat
gone, came a frown and look in hel
eyes as if at something revolving
then the smile returned, to be sue
ceeded by the frown, which was fol
lowed by an indeterminate shaking O.
the head.