The Monticellonian., 1915-02-18
CHAPTER xiV-continued.


 The subjective enjoyment of the declaration kept him from any keen notice of the effect of his words. Lanny was right. It had been a war of deliberate conquest; war to gratify personal ambition. All her life Marta would be able to live over again the feelings of this moment. It was as if she were frozen, all except brain and nerves, which were on fire, while the rigidity of ice kept her from springing from her chair in contempt and horror. But purpose came on the wings of diabolical temptation which would pit the art of woman against the power of man who set millions against millions in slaughter to gratify personal ambition. She was thankful that she was looking down as she spoke. for she could not bring herself to another compliment. Her throa' was too chilled for that yet
 The one way to end the feud be- tween the two nations vas a war that would man permanent peaee," he ex- plained, seeing how quiet she was and realizing. with recollection of her children's oath. that he had gone lit tie too far. He wanted to retain her admiration. It had become as precious to him as a new delicaey to Lueullus
 Yes, l understand" she managed to murmur; then she was able to look up Its all so immensel" she added
 Tour ideas about war seem to be a great deal changed" he hinted casually
 As l expressed them at the hotel you mean.' she exclaimed. That seems ages ago-ages." The perplex- ity and indeeisien that, in a space of silence. brooded in the depths of her eyes came to the surface in wavering lights. Yes. ages! ages!" The waver- ing lights grew dim with kind of hor- TOT and she looked away fixedly at a given point.
 He was conscious of a thrill; the thrill that always presaged victory for him. He realized her evident dis tress; he guessed that terrible pie lures were moving before her vision.
 You see, have been very much stirred up, she said half apolog gatical- ly. There are some questions want to ask-quite practical, selfish ques- tions. You might call them questions of property and mercy. The longer the war lasts the greater will be the loss of life and the msery?"
 Yes, for both sides, and the heavier the expense and the taxes"
 If you win. then we shall be under your flag and pay taxes to you?"
 Yes, naturally"
 "The Browns do not increase in population; the Grays do rapidly. They are great. powerful. civilized race. They stand for civilization!"
 Yes, facts and the worlds opinion agree he replied. Puzzled he might well be by this peculiar eatechism. He could only continue to reply until he should see where she was leading.
 And your victory will mean new frontier, new order of international relations and long peace. you think !? lPeace-a long peacel"
 " ac i44tIG GNti SOlQltI WHO ulu not fight for peace? Was there ever a call for more army-eeEps or guns that was not made in the name of peace !? He had his ready argument. spoken with the forcible conviction of an ex- pert.
 This war was made for peace-the only kind of peace that there can be-" he said. My ambition. if any glory comes to me out of this war, is to have later generations say: He brought lpeacei'"
 Though the premier, could he have heard this. might have smiled. even grinned, he would have understood Westerling's unconsciousness of incon- isistency. The chief of staff had set himself task in victory which had no military connection. Without know ing why, he wanted to win ascendancy over her mind.
 The man of actionin exclaimed Marta, her eyes opening very wide. as they would to let in the light when she heard something new that pleased her or gave food for thought "The man of action, who thinks of an ideal as thing not of words but as the end of action,'
 Exactlyi" said Westerling, sen sible of another of her gifts. She could get the essence of a thing in a few words. When we have won and set another frontier. the power of our nation will be such In the world that the Browns can never afford to attack