Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1915-04-21


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 l
came to believe"
So long had Marta expected this mo-
ment of exposure that it brought no
shock. Her spirit had undergone mlny
subtle rehearsals for the occasion.
Yes, that is true" she heard herself
saying, a little distantly, but very
quietly and naturally.
Westerling fell back as from a blow
In the face. His breath came hard at
first. like one being strangled. Then
II sank deep in his chest and his eyes
were bloodehot, as n bulls in his final
effort against the matador. He raised
a quivering. clenched fist and took
step nearer her.
But far from flinching, Marta seemed
to be greeting the blow, as IL 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 flash 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 ii.
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; l fought for civilization, for my
home, with the only means I had
against the wickedness OF a victory OF
conquest-the precedent OF it in this
age-a victory which should glorify
such trickery as you practised on your
people"
81 should like to shoot you dead,"
cried Bellini.
And you let me make love to you,"
Westerling said in a dazed. cropping
monotone to Marta.
Such a wreck was he OF his former
self that she found it 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 Of
the broken regiments; had he been
able to forget himself.
Rather, you made love to yourself
through me-" she answered. not harsh
ly, not even emphaticaliy. but merely
as statement of passionless fact IF
you dared to endure what you ordered
others to endure for the sake OF your
ambition; if"
She was interrupted by n sharp zip
in the air. Westerling lodged and
looked about wildly.
What is that" he asked What"
Five or six lips followed like a
charge OF wasps flying at a speed that
made them invisible. Marta felt a
brush OF air past her cheek and Wee-
terling went chalky white. It was the
first time he had been under fire. But
these bullets were only strays. No
more came.
Come, general. let us be going!"
urged the aide. touching his chief on
the arm.
Yes. yes!" said Westerling hur-
riedly
Francois. who had picked up the coat
that had fallen from Westeriing's
shoulders with his start at the buzzing.
held it while his master thrust his
hands through the sleeves.
And this is wiser" said the aide.
unfastening the detachable insignia OF
rank from the shoulders OF the great
coat. Its wiser, too, that we walk"
he added.
Walk? But my carl" exclaimed
Westerling petulantly.
I'm afraid that the car could not
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, the
picture OF this deserted leader this
god of a machine who had been
crushed by his machine. his very lack
OF stoicism or courage-all this sud
denly appealed to Marta's quick SYM
pathies. They had once drunk tea to
gether
"Oh, IT was not PERSONAL 1 dfd not
think OF myself as a person OF OF yoa
as one-only OF principles and OF thou
sands Of others-to end the kilIihg-to
save our country to it's people! On,
I'm sorry and, personally, Pm horrible
horrible" she called after him in a
broken, quavering gust Of words which
he heard confusedly in trngic mockery.
He made no answer; he did not even
look around. Head bowed and hardly
seeing the path, he permitted the aide
to choose the way. which lay across
the boundary OF the GaIland estate.
CHAPTER XXI.