The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-02-05
CHAPTER XIII-Continued.

Then a staff-officer appeared in the
doorway. When he saw woman en-
ter the room he frowned He had rid
den from the town, which was empty
of women, fact that he. regarded as
a blessing. If she had been a maid
servant he would have kept on his
cap. Seeing that she was not, he re-
moved it and found himself in want Of
words as their eyes met after she had
made gesture to the broken glass
on the floor and the lacerated table
top, which said too plainly:
DO you admire your work."
The fact that he was we'll groomed
and freshly shaven did not in any wise
dissipate in her feminine mind his
connection with this destruction. He
had never seen anything like the smile
which went with the gesture. Her
eyes were two continuing and chal-
longing flames. Her chin was held
high and steady, and the pallor of ex
haustion, with the blackness of her
hair and eyes, made her strangely
commanding. He understood that she
was not waiting for him to speak, but
to 60.
Il did not know that there was a
woman here!" he said.
and | did not know that officers of
the Grays we're accustomed to enter
private houses without invitations!'
she replied.
This is little different" he began
She interrupted him.
But the law Of the Grays is that
homes should be left undsturbed, isn't
It? At least, it is the law Of civiliza
ton. believe you profess, too, to pro
tect property, do you not?"
why, yes!" he agreed. He wished
that he could get little respite from
the steady fire of her eyes. 1t was EN-
barrassng and as confusing as the
white light Of an impracticable logic
In that case, please place guart
around our house lest some more o
your soldiers get out of CONTROL" sh'
went on.
II can do that, yes" he said "Bu
we are to make this staff headquar
tiers and must start at once to put tn
house in readiness"
General Westerlings headquar
ters?" she inquired.
He parted the question with
frown. Staff-otficers never give infol
nation. They receive information an
transmit orders.
Il know General Westerling. Yo
will tell him that my mother. Mrs. Ga
land, and our maid and myself ar
very tired from the entertainment h
has given US, unasked, and we nee
sleep tonight. So you will leave u
until morning and that door, sir, Is tn
one out into the grounds"
The stafr-officer bowed and went on
by that door, glad to get away fror
Martas eyes. His inspection Of tn
premises with view to plans for sta
accommodation could wait. WEBSTER
ling would not be here for two day
at least.
"Whew! What energy she has!" h
thought. ~ never had anybody max
me feel so contemptibly unlike gel
tleman In my life."
Yet Marta, returning to the hall, ha
to steady herself in dizzy momer
against the wall. Complete reactio
had come. She craved sleep as if
we're the one true, real thing In tn
world. She craved sleep for the clarit
of mind that comes with the mornin
light. In the haziness Of fleecy though
as slumber drew its soft cloud
around her, her last conscious vision
were the pleasant ones rising free {
a background OF horror; of Teller
smile when he went back to his aut
matte for good; of Dellarmes smile g
he was dying; of Stranskys smile 6
Minna gave him hope; and Of Hugo
face as he uttered his flute.like cry {
protest. In her ears were the haun