The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER xv-Continued.

year the monosyllable was de-
tached, dismal, labored. "A woman
can be that" she exclaimed in an un-
certain tone, which grew into the dis
traction OF clipped words and broken
sentences. "A woman play-acting-a
woman acting the most revolving hy-
pocrisy--infiuences the issue between
two nat ons! Her deceit deals in the
lives of sons precious to fathers and
mothers the fate of frontiers, of insti-
tutions! Think of It! Think of ma
chipes costing countless millions-ma-
rhi2cs of flesh and blood, with their
dest'aies shaped by one little bit of
lying information! Think of the folly
OF any civilization that stakes it's tri-
mmphs on such gamble! Am l not
right? Isn't 1t true? Isn't it?"
Yes, yes. Marta! Butt" If
ahe were weakening it was not his
place to try to strengthen her purpose.
cit will the sooner end fighting.
won't it. Lanny?" she asked in a
small, tense voice.
"Yes."
"And the only real end that means
y~al peace is to prove that the weak
esn hold back the strong from their
Sareshold?"
"Yes."
even now Westerling might be on
xin veranda, perhaps waiting for news
that would enable him to crush the
wsak; to prove that the law of five
p,1Ands of human flesh against three,
AAd five bayonets against three, is the
kw of civilization.
"Yes, yes, yes!" The construction
7Sas gone from her throat; there was
a drum-beat in her soul. Depend on
me, Lanny!" II was Feller's favorite
phrase spoken by the one who was to
lake his place. "Yes, I'm ready to
make any sacrifice now. For what am
\? What is one woman compared to
ueh a purpose? l don't care what is
said of me or what becomes Of me IL
we can win! Good-by, Lanny, till
call you up again! And God with us!"
God with us!" as Partow had said,
aver and over. The saying had come
% be repeated by hard-headed, agnos-
SIC staff-officers. who believed that the
deity had no relation to the efficiency
Of gun-fire. The Brown infantrymen
aven were beginning to mutter it in
1he midst of action.
Waiting on the path OF the second
serrace for Westeriing to come, Marta
realized the full meaning of her task
Day T.. and day out she was to have
ut all
OF hypocrisy on her conscience, the
while keeping her wits nicely bal
Anced When she saw Westerling ap-
pear on the veranda and start over the
lawn she felt dizzy and uncertain of
her capabilities
Il have considered al! that you have
said for my guidance and have de-
rided," she began.
She heard her own voice with the
relief of singer in a debut who, with
Knees shaking. finds that her notes
are true. She was looking directly
at westeriing in profound seriousness.
Though knees shook, lips and chin
could aid eyes in revealing the pain
full fatigue OF battle that had ragged
IN the u WOuidA WIZ Ntub
-~way for half an hour TO think for
herself.
Il have concluded" she went on,
''that IL is an occasion for the sac
rifice OF private ethics to a great pur-
pose. the sooner to end the slaugh-
ter"
"All truei" whispered an inner
voice. Ite tone was Lannys, in the
pld DAYS OF their comradesh!p. 1t gave
her strength. All truel
Yes. an. end-a speedy endi" said
westerlfngt with a hne. infiexibie en-
phasis. THAT is your prayer and
mine and the prayer OF all lovers Of
humanity"
1T 10 little that I know. but such
"a II 10 you shall have &C." she began.
ponsc.vss of his guarded scrutiny.
Ghes she told him OF Bordir, the
bsak puipf n the FIRST line of the