The Monticellonian., 1915-03-18

realize what that means--the honor
and the power that will be ours? l
shall have directed the greatest army
the world has ever known to victory!"
And defeat means-what does de-
feat mean?" she asked narrowly. calm
~; and the pointed question released
her shoulders from the wise
What had been a shadow in his
thoughts became live monster strik-
ing him with the force of a blow. He
forgot Marta. Yes, what would de-
teat mean to him? Sheer human ma
ture broke through the bonds of men
tai discipline weakened by sleepless
nights. Convulsively his head dropped
as he covered his face.
Defeat! Fail! That I should fall"
he moaned.
Then 1t was that she saw him in the
reality of his littleness. which she had
OWNED; this would-be conaueror. She
saw him as his intimates often sec the
great man without his front of Jove.
Don we know that Napoleon had mo-
ments of privacy when he whined and
threatened suicide? She wondered If
Lanny, too, were like that-if it were
not the nature of all conquerors who
could not have their way. 1t seemed
TO her that Westerling was beneath
the humblest private in his army-be-
heath even that fellow with the liver
pateh on his cheek who had broken
the chandelier in the sport of brutal
passion. All sense Of her own part was
submerged in the sight of a chief of
stan exhibiting no more stoicism than
petulant, spoiled schoolboy.
While his head was still bent the ar
tlliery began its crashing thunders and
the sky became light with flashes. His
hands stretched out toward the range,
clenched and pulsing with defiance and
command
Go in! Go in. as | told you'll" he
cried. Stay in, alive or deadl Stay
till | tell you to come out. Stayi
can't do any more! You must do 1t
nowl"
Then this may be truly the end"
thought Marta, eff the assault fails"
And silently she prayed that it would
fail; while the flashes lighted Wester-
ling's set features, imploring success.
In the Browns headquarters, as in
the Grays', telegraph instruments were
silent after the preparations were over.
Here, also, officers walked restlessly,
glancing at their watches. They, too,
were glad that the mist continued. 1t
meant no wind. When the telegraph
did speak it was with another message
from some aerostatic officer saying,
Still favorable" which was taken at
once to Lanstron, who was with the
staff chiefs around the big table. They
nodded at the news and smiled to one
another; and some who had been pac-
ing sat down and others rose to begin
pacing afresh.
I'VE could have emplaced two lines
of automaties. one above the ether!"
exclaimed the chief of artillery.
But that would have given too much
of a climb for the infantry in going in
delayed the rush." said Lanstron.
IF they should stick-if we couldn't
drive them back" exclaimed the vice
chief of staff.
Il don't think they will" said Ian
stron
To the others he seemed as cool as
ever, even when his manned hand was
twitching in his pocket. But now, sud
denly, his eyes starting as at horror,
he trembled passionately, his head
dropping forward, as If he would col
lapse.
"Oh, the murder of 1.-THE murder!"
he breathed.
But they brought it on! Not for
theirs, but for ours," said the vice
chief of staff, laying his hand on Lam
strons shoulder.
And we sit here while they go I'M"
Lanstron added. There's a kind of
injustice about that which l can't get
over Not one of US here has been
under fire!"
Even the minute of the attack they
knew; and just before midnight they
were standing at the window looking
out into the night, while the vice-chief
held his watch in hand. In the hush
the faint sound of a dirigibles propel-
Ter high up in the heavens, muffied by