The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1915-04-09
CHAPTER XVi-Ccnsinued.

This is like you--like what want
you to be!' he said. You are right"
He caught her hand inclosng it en-
tirely III his grip. and she was sen
sible, in a kind Of dazed horror. of the
thrill OF his strength. Nothing can
stop US, Numbers will win. Hard
fighting in the mercy of a quick end!"
he declared with his old rigidity of
tive against three which was welcome
70 her. Then" lie added and
then"
Them she repeated. averting her
glance. "Then--' There the devil
ended the sentence and she withdrew
her hand and felt the relief of one es-
Gaping suffocatioh. to find that he had
realized that anything further during
that interview would be banality and
was rising TO 80.
II don't feel decent" she thought
Society turned on Minna for hui
man weakness, bat I'm not human
being. l am ono OF the pawns OF the
machine Of war;,
Walking slowly with lowered head
as she left the arbor, she almost ran
into Bouchard, who apologized with
he single word "Pardon.' as he lifted
his cap III oyeIdone courtesy, which
his stold breyity made the more con
spicuous.
Miss Galland YOU seem lost in ab-
sraction,' he said in sudden loquac-
tty. Il am almost on the point of
accusing you OF being poet
"Accusng! she replied. Then you
must think that | would write bad
poetry"
''On the contrary, ! should say ex-
cellent-uslng the sonnet form" lie re-
turned
q might make a counter accusa
tion, only that yours would be the
epic form" answered Marta. For You.
too, seem fond of rambling"
There was yelled challenge in the
hawk eyes, which she met with com
monplace polteness in hers, before
BE- again lifted his cap and proceeded
Oh his way.
For the next two weeks Marta's role
.psolved itself into a kind of routine.
Their cramped quarters became a
refuge to Marta in the trial Of her
secret work under the very nose of
the staff With little Clarissa Eileen
they formed the only feminine society
In the neighborhood On sunshiny
days Mrs. Galland was usually 10 be
found in her favorite chair outside
the tower door: and here Minna set
the urn on table at four-thirty as in
the old days.
No member of the staff was more
frequently present at Marta's teas
than Bouchard, who was developing
his social instinct late in life by sit
ting In the background and allowing
others to do the talking while he
watched and listened In his hearing,
Marta's attitude toward the progress
OF the war was sympathetic but never
snterrogatory, while she shared atten-
ton with Clarissa Eileen, who was in
danger Of becoming spoiled by officers
Awho had children of their own at home.
AAfter the reports of killed and wound
ed which came with such appalling
regularity, 1t was relief to hear Of
the days casualties among Clarssa's
dolls. The chief OF transportation
and supply rode her on his shoulder;
the chief Of tactics played hide-and-
seek with her; the chief engineer
built her a doll house Of stones with
his own hands; and the chief medical
officer was as concerned when she
caught cold as if the health OF the
army were at stake.
I'VE mustn't get too set up over all
this attention, Clarissa Eileen, my RI
val" said Marta to the child. "Yon
are the only little girl and ! am the
only big girl within reach If there
we're lots Of others it would be css'
ferent."
Rnuchs-~ was losing 1ssh: his eyes