The Monticellonian., 1915-03-25
she might as we'll have been talking
over a dead wire.

she might as well have been talking
over dead wire.
One man alone against the tide
rather, the man who has seen tide
rise at his orders now finding all its
sweep against him-W accus-
toned to have millions of men move
ar his command, found himself. one
man out of the millions, still and help
less while they moved of their own i'm
pulses.
AS news of positions lost came in,
he could only grimly repeat, Hold!
Tell them to hold" fruitlessly, like ad-
jurations 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.
C1enching his hands in a rocking eff
III - lAC was dbl6 W olIlItll IiS SYM
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 were 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!"
yehemently.
The news has reached the press"
the premier proceeded Editions are
already in the Streets"
What. Where is your censorship"
gasped Westerling.
1T is helpless, straw protesting
against a current" the premier re-
pied "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 or
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 I 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 cure for mobs!" cried
Westerling. Let the police fire few
yolleys and they'll behave"
Would that stop the retreat of the
army? We must sue for peace"
Sue for peace! Sue for peace when
we have five millions against their
threei"
1T seems so. as the three millions
are winning" said the premier.
Sue for peace because women go
hysterical? Do you suppose that the
Browns will listen now when they
think they have the advantage? Leave
peace to me! Give me forty eight hours
morel | have told our troops to hold
and they will hold. | don't mistake
cowardly telegraphers' rumors for
facts"
Pardon me moment" the premier
interrupted Il must answer a local
call" So astute a man of affairs as
he knew that Westerling's voice, storm
ing, breaking, tightening with effort at
control, confirmed all reports of dis
aster. I'm fact, the crockery is broken
for you and for mel" said the pre-
mier when he spoke again. His life
had been gamble and the gamble had
turned against him in playing for
great prize. There was an admirable
stoicism in the way he announced the
news he had received from the local
call. ne C1ifel VI poitCe Calls me up
to say that the uprising is too vast for
him to hold. There isn't any mutiny,
but his men simply have become
part OF public opinion. A mob of wom-
en- and children is starting for the pal
ace to ask me what | have done with
their husbands, brothers, sons, and ia
theirs. They won't have to break in to
find me- I'm very tired. I'm ready. l
shall face them from the balcony Yes,
WesterlinS, you and | have achieved
place in history, and they're far more
bitter toward you than me. However,
you don't have to come back"
mo. | don't have to go back! No.
| was not to go back if failedi" said
Westerling dizzily.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
av.