The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-03-06


and the power that will be ours? l
shall have directed the greatest army
the world has ever known to victory!
And defeat means-what does de-
feat mean?" she asked narrowly, calm
ly; and the pointed question released
her shoulders from the wise.
What had been a shadow In his
thoughts became a live monster, strik-
ing him with the force OF blow. He
forgot Marta. Yes, what would de-
feat mean to him? Sheer human ma
ttre broke through the bonds Of men,
tai discipline weakened by sleepless
nights. Convulsively his head dropped
as he covered his face.
Defeat! Fail! That should fall"
he moaned.
Then it was that she saw him in the
reality of his littleness, which she had
OWNED; this would-be conqueror. She
saw him as his intimates often see the
great man without his front Of Jove.
Don't We know that Napoleon had mo-
ments Of privacy when he whined and
Lanny, too, were like that-if it were
not the nature of all conquerors who
could not have their way. 1t seemed
to her that Westerling was beneath
the humblest private in his army-be-
meath even that fellow with the liver
patch on his cheek who had broken
the chandelier In the sport Of brutal
passion. All sense of her own part was
submerged in the sight of a chief Of
staff exhibiting no more stoicism than
a petulant. spoiled schoolboy.
While his head was still bent the ar
tillery began it's crashing thunders and
the sky became light with flashes. His
hands stretched out toward the range,
clenched and pulsing with defiance and
command.
Go in! Go in, as l told you'll" he
cried stay in, alive or dead! Stay
till tell you to come out! Stay!
can't do any more! You must do It
now!"
Then this may be truly the end"
thought Marta, 'if the assault fails"
And silently she prayed that 1t would
fail; while the flashes lighted Wester-
lings set features, imploring success.
|
In the Browns headquarters, as In
the Grays', telegraph instruments were
silent after the preparations were over
Here, also, officers walked restlessly
glancing at their watches. They, too
were glad that the mist continued. II
meant no wind. When the telegraph
did speak it was with another message
from some aerostatic officer saying
Still favorable" which was taken al
once to Lanstron, who was with the
staff chiefs around the big table. They
nodded at the news and smiled to one
another; and some who had been pac
ing sat down and others rose to begir
pacing afresh.
I'VE could have emplaced two linei
of automatics, one above the other!'
exclaimed the chief Of artillery.
But that would have given too mucl
of a climb for the infantry in going II
delayed the rush." said Lanstron.
IF they should stick-if we couldn'
drive them back!" exclaimed the vice
chief of staff.
81 don't think they will" said Ian
stron.
To the others he seemed as cool a
ever, even when his manned hand wa
twitching in his pocket But now, sud
denly, his eyes starting as at horror
he trembled passionately, his hea,
dropping forward, as If he would col
lapse.
"Oh, the murder of 1.-THE murder!
he breathed.
But they brought 1t on! Not 70
theirs, but for ours!" said the vice
chief of staff, laying his hand on Lar
stron's shoulder.
And we sit here while they go in!
Lanstron added There's a kind G
,, Injustice about that which l can't &c
over. Not one of US here has bee
under fret"
Even the minute Of the attack the
knew; and just before midnight the
were standing at the window lookin
.. out into the night, while the vice-chie
held his watch in hand. In the hus
!, the faint sound of a dirigible's prope
Ter high up in the heavens, muffled b