The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1915-01-21
CHAPTER x-Contlnued.

his WAS lHe very lulHS 10 whip
her thoughts back from the knoll. He
was thunderstruck at the transforms
ton: hot color in her cheeks, eyes
af1ame, lips eurving around whirl-
wind of words
You name the very reason why
wish to stay. Why do you want to
save the women? Why shouldn't they
bear their share? Why don't you want
them to see men moved down? Is
1T because you are ashamed of your
profession? Why, | ask"
The problem of dealing with an
angry woman breaking shell fire of
questions over his head had not been
ready solved in the captains curricu-
lum like other professional problems.
nor was it mentioned in the official
instructions about the defenses of the
Galland house. He aimed to smile
seothingly in the helplessness of man
IN presence of feminine fury.
1T is an old CUSTOM he was say
Ing, but she had turned away
"Lanny's plan-mow them down.
NOW them down. NOW them down."
she went on, more to herself than to
him.
Was there nothing for her to do?
Gould she only look on in a fever of
rectlessness while action roared
around her? The sight of several au-
tomobiie ambulances In the road at
the foot of the garden stilled the
throbe of distraction in her temples
with an answer. The wounded! They
were already coming in from the field
She hurried down the terrace steps
The major surgeon in charge, sur
prised to find any woman in the vi
entity, was about to tell her so auto
matically; then, in view of her inten-
sity, he waited for her to speak.
You will let us do something for
them?" Marta asked I'VE will make
them some hot soup"
He was Immediately busineeslike
No less than Dellarme or Fracasse or
Lanstron or Westerling, he had been
preparing throughout his professional
career for this hour. The detail of
caring for the men who were down
had been worked out no less system
atically than that of wounding them.
Thank you, no! We don't want to
waste time" he replied I'VE must
get them away with all speed so that
the ambulanees may return promptly
It's only a fifteen-minute run to the
hospital, where every comfort and ap-
pliance are ready and where they will
be given the right things to eat"
Then we will give them some
wine," Marta persisted.
Not II we can prevent 1t! Not to
start hemorrhages! The field doctors
have brandy for use when advisable.
and there is brandy in all the ambu-
lances."
Clearly, volunteer service was not
wanted There was no room at the
immediate front for Florence Nightin-
gales in the modern machine of war.
Then water?"
The major surgeon aimed to be pa
tient to an earnest, attractive young
woman.
I'VE have sterilized water-we have
everything" he explained. IF we
hadn't at this early stage l ought to
be serving an apprenticeship in a vii
lage apotheeary shop. Anything that
means confusion. delay. unnecessary
excitement is bad and unmereifuI"
Marta was not yet at the end of her
resources. The recollection of the dy-
ing private who had asked her mother
for rose In the last war flashed into
mind
You haven't any flowers. They
won't do any harm. even if they aren't
sterilized The wounded like flowers,
don't they? Don't you like flowers ?
Look We've millions."
Yes, | do They do A good idea.
Bring all the flowers you want to-
The major surgeons smile to Marta
was not altogether on account of her
suggestion. 1t ought to help anybody
who was ever wounded anywhere in
the world to have you give him s
hower!" he was thinking.
She ran for an armful of blossoms
and was back before the arrival of the
first wounded man who preceded the
stretchers on foot He was holding
up a hand bound in white first-aid
bandage which had red spot in the
center. Those hit in hand or arm, if
the surgeons glance justified it, were
sent on up the road to a point mile
distant, where transportation in requi-
sitioned vehicles was provided. These
men were triumphant in their cheer
fulness. They were alive; they had