The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-03-06

6nlHsI tHeIo bometuluk BoiuS VI oA
the while that isn't guesswork.
think that's what l want to say. You
won't order me to be . soldier. will
your"
The father. ioath to do this. called IN
the assistance OF an able pleader then,
Eugene Partow. lately become chief OF
stan OF the Browns, who was an old
friend of the Ianstron family. Partow
turned the balance on the side of hlial
affection. He kept watch Of the boy.
but without favoring him with infiu-
ence. Young Lanstron, who wanted to
see results, had to earn them. He real
lied In practice the truth of Partow's
saying that there WAS nothing he had
ever learned but what could be of sew
ice to him as an officer.
Finding enough work to do?" Par
tow would ask with a chuckle when
they met in these days; for he had
made Lanstron both chief OF intelli-
gence and chief aerostatic officer.
Young Colonel Lanstron's was the duty
of gaining the secrets OF the Gray
staff and keeping those Of the Brown
and organizing up-to-the-moment eff
cheney in the new forces of the air.
He had remarked truly enough that
the injury to his left hand served as
a better reminder against the folly Of
wool gathering than a string, even
large red string, tied around his fin
ger. Thanks to skiilful surgery, the
fingers. incapable of spreading much.
were yet serviceable and had firm
aeroplane station on the Sunday morn
ing after Martas return home for
flight to La Tir
He knew the pattern weaving under
his feet as one knows that Of his own
garden from an overlooking window.
Every detail of the staff map, ravines.
roads. buildings battery positions. was
stitched together in the flowing reality
OF actual vision. No white posts were
necessary to tell him where the
boundary between the two nations lay.
The line was drawn in his brain.
Now that Lanstron was the organ
izer OF the aviation corps his own
flights were rare. Mostly they were
made to La Tir His visits to Marta
were his holidays. All the time that
she was absent on her journey around
the world they had corresponded. Her
letters. SO revealing OF herself and her
peculiar angles OF observation. formed
bundle sacredly preserved. Her
mothers joking reference about her
girlish resolution not to marry a sol
dier often REQUIRED to him There. he
sometimes thought, was the real OBJ
stacle to his great desire.
When he alighted from the plane he
thrust his left hand into his blouse
pocket. He always carried 1t there,
as if it were literally sewn in place.
In moments OF emotion the SCARED
nerves would twitch as the telltale of
his sensitiveness: and this was some
thing he would conceal from others no
matter how conscious he was of it him
self. He found the Galland veranda
deserted In response to his ring a
maid came to the open door. Her
face was sad, with beauty that had
prematurely faded. But it lighted
pleasurably in recognition. Her hair
was thick and tawny, lying low over
the brow: her eyes we're softly
luminous brown and her full lips sensi-
tive and yielding Lanstron, an init
mate OF the Gallaud household, knew
her story we'll and the part that Marta
had played in 1t.
Some four years previously. when
hAoy was in prospect for Minna, who
wore no wedding ring. Mrs. Galland
had been inclined to send the maid to
an institution, where they will take
good care OF her, my dear. That's
what such institutions are for. 1t is
quite scandalous for her and for us
never happened in our family before!"
| Marta arched her eyebrows.
We don't know" she exclaimed
softly
How can you think such a thing
let alone saying it-you, a Galland!"
her mother gasped in indignation.
That is. if we go far back" said
Marta. AT all events, we have no
| precedent, so let's establish one by
keeping her"
| But for her own sake! She will
have to live with her shame!" Mrs.
Galland objected. Let her begin
afresh in the city. We shall give her
a good recommendation, for she is
really an excellent servant. Yes, she
will readily find place among
strangers"
STILL she doesn't want to go. and it
would be cruel to send her away"
/ Cruel! Why Marta, do you think
I would be cruel? Oh, very well, then
we will let her stay!"
|
Both are away at church. Mrs. Gal
land ought to be here any minute, but
Miss Galland will be later because OF
her children's class" said Minna. viii
you wait on the veranda?"
He was saying that he would stroll
/ in the garden when childish footsteps