The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-02-18
CHAPTER vlII-continued.

Now Dellarme disposed his men in
Tine back OF the ridge OF fresh earth
that they had dug ia the night, ready
to rush TO their places when he blew
the whistle that hung from his neck,
but he did not allow them a glimpse
over the crest
II know that you are curious, but
powerful glasses are watching for you
to show yourselves; and If battery
turned loose on US you'd understand"
he explained.
Thus the hours wore on, and the
church clock struck nine and ten.
Never a movement down there!"
called the sergeant from the crest to
Deslarrae. Maybe this is just their
final bluff before they come to terms
about Bodlapoo stretch of AT
rican jungle that seemed very far
away TO them ALL
Let Ms hope SOL" said Dellarme
seriously.
Choosing to go to town by the
castle road rather than down the ter
race to the main pass road, Marta,
starting fer the regular Sunday ser
vice of her school, as she emerged
from the grounds, saw Teller, garden
shears in hand, a figure Of stone
watching the approach of some field
batteries. The question of allowing
him to undertake his part as a spy
had drifted into the background of her
mind under the distressing and ever
present pressure of the crisis He was
to remain until there was war. She
was almost past him before he real
tied her presence, which he acknowl-
edged by a startled movement and a
step forward as he took OF his hat.
She paused. His eyes were glowing
like Goals under a blower as he looked
at her and again at the batteries,
seeming to include her with the guns
In the spell of his fervid abstraction.
Frontier closed last night to pre-
vent intelligence about our prepare
tons leaking 0ut-Lanny's plan all
aiive-the guns coming" he said. his
shoulders stiffening, his chin drawing
in. his features resolute and beaming
with the ardor of youth in action
troops moving here and there to their
piaces-engineers preparing the de-
fenses-automatics at critical points
with the infantry-feld-wire laid
feld-telephones set up-the wireless
spitting--the caissons full-planes and
dirigibles ready-search-lights in po-
sition---"
There tAe torrent of his broken SEN
fences was checked. A shadow passed
In frcnt of him. He came out of his
trance Of imageries of activities. so
wildly clear to his military mind, to
realize that Marta was abruptly leav-
ing
Miss Galland!" he called urgently
Firing may commence at any min
ute. YoI must not go into town."
But / must!" she declared, speak
ing over her shoulder while she
passed. It was clear that no warning
would prevail against her determined
mood.
Then / shall go with you'll" he said,
starting toward her with light step.
ut is not necessary, thank you!"
she answered, more coldly than she
had ever spoken to him. This had a
magically quick effect on his atti-
tade.
81 beg your pardon! I forgot" he
explained in his old mans voice, his
head sinking, his shoulders dropping
Ia the humility of servant who rec
Osnizes that he has been properly re-
huked for presumption. mot a gun
ner any more-Im a spy!" he thought.
as he shuf1ed of without looking
toward the batteries again. though the
music at wheels and hoofs was now
close by.
Marta had a glimpse of him as she
turned away "He is what he Is be-
cause Of the army; victim Of cult,
4 habit" she was thinking. HAD he
been In any other calling his fine quail.
tiles might have been of service to the
world and he would have been happy
A company of infantry resting
AMONG their stacked rifles changed
the color Of the square in the distance
from the gray pavement to the brown
of mass of uniforms. In the middle
Of the main street a major of the bri-
gade staff, with a number OF junior
officers and orderlies, was evidently
waiting on some signal. Sentries were
posted at regular intervals along the
curb. The people in the houses and
ssaops from time to time stopped pack
ing up their effects long enough to go
70 the doors and look up and down
apprehensiyely, asking bootless, ner
Trus questions.
Are they coming yet?'
DO you think they will conner
"Are you sure it's going to be war;
''Wli they shell the town."
"There'ii be time enough for ycs