The Southern herald., 1915-05-14

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voice that answered is yours, Miss Gal
land. So, General Westerling, the leak
in information was over this wire from
our staff into the Browns headquar-
ters, as Bouchard believed and as /
came to believe"
So long had Marta expected this mo-
ment Of exposure that 1t brought no
shock. Her spirit had undergone many
subtle rehearsals for the occasion.
"Yes, that is true," she heard herself
saying, little distantly, but very
quietly and naturally.
Westerling fell back as from blow
in the face. His breath came hard at
first, like one being strangled. Then
It sank deep in his chest and his eyes
were bloodehot, as a bulls in his final
effort against the matador. He raised
a quivering, clenched fist and took a
step nearer her.
But far from hinchlng, Marta seemed
to be greeting the blow, as II she ad-
mitted his right to strike. She was
without any sign Of triumph and with
every sign Of relief. Lying was at an
end. She could be truthful.
do you recall what said in the re-
ception-room at the hotel?" she asked.
The question sent fash into hid
den chamber of his mind. Now the
only thing he could remember of that
interview was the one remark which
hitherto he had never included in his
recollection Of 1t.
"You said could not win" He drew
out the words painfully.
when you said that you brought on
this war to crafty your ambition,
chose to be one of the weapons Of
war; fought for civilization, for my
home, with the only means had
against the wickedness Of a victory OF
conquest-the precedent Of 1t in this
age-a victory which should glorify
such trickery as you practised on your
people"
'T should like to shoot you dead!'
cried Bellini.
"And you let me make love to you!'
Westerling said in dazed, cropping
monotone to Marta.
Such a wreck was he of his former
self that she found 1t amazing that she
could not pity him. Yet she might
have pitied him had he plunged into
the fight; had he tried to rally one oi
the broken regiments; had he beer
able to forget himself.
Rather you made love to yourseli
through me-" she answered, not harsh
ly, not even emphatically, but merely
as statement Of passionless fact. III
you dared to endure what you ordered
others to endure for the sake of YOU
ambition; if"
She was interrupted by sharp ziI
in the air, Westerling lodged ant
looked about wildly.
What is that?" he asked. "What?'
Five or six zips followed like I
charge of wasps flying at speed -tha
made them invisible. Marta felt {
brush of air past her cheek and Yves
terling went chalky white. 1t was thu
first time he had been under fire. Blu
these bullets were only strays. M
more came.
Come, general, let us be going!'
urged the aide, touching his chief OF
the arm.
Eyes, yes!" said Westerling hur
riedly.
Francois, who had picked up the Goa
that had fallen from Westerling'l
shoulders with his start at the buzzing
held it while his master thrust hit
hands through the sleeves.
"And this is WISER" said the aide
unfastening the detachable insignia o.
rank from the shoulders Of the great
coat. TITS wiser, too, that we walk,
he added.
walk? But my carl" exclaimed
Westerling petulantly.
I'm afraid that the car could mo-
get through the press In the town,
was the reply. Walking is safer"
The absence in him Of that quality
which is the soldiers real glory, thC
picture OF this deserted leader, thii
god Of machine who had beer
crushed by his machine, his very lacl
Of stoicism or courage-all this sud
denly appealed to Marta's quick sym
pathies. They had once drunk tea to
gether.
"Oh, 1t was not PERSONAL did no
think Of myself as person or of yol
as one-only of principles and of thou
sands of others-to end the killing-tt
save our country to its people! Oh
I'm sorry and, personally, I'm horrible
-horrible!" she called after him in
broken, quavering gust Of words whicl
he heard confusedly in tragic mockery
He made no answer; he did not evel
look around. Head bowed and hardl!
seeing the path, he permitted the aid
to choose the way, which lay across
the boundary Of the Galland estate.
CHAPTER XXI.
Tba RakHAak