The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-01-16

was not for Dellarme to ask questions
Of a prize-medalliet graduate of the
school for officers in blue blouse and
crownless straw hat. His expert sur
vey assured him that before another
rush the enemy had certain prepare
tons to make. He might give his
fighting smile a recess end permit
himself a few minutes relaxation.
Looking around to ascertain what
damage had been done to the house
and grounds, he became aware OF
Marta's presence for the first time.
Miss Galland. you-you weren't
there during the fighting?" he cried
as he ran toward her.
YES" she said rather family.
"If | had known that l should have
been scared to DEATH"
But | was safe behind the pillar.
she explained.
Miss Galland, you're such a GOOD
soldier-pease-and I'm sure you nave
not had your breakfast, and all GOOD
soldiers never neglect their ratlons'
not at the beginning Of a war! MISS
GaIland, please" Yes, as he meant
| it, please be a good fellow.
She could not resist smiling at the
charming manner Of his plea. She 1elt
weak and strange-a little dizzy. be
| sides, her mothers voice now came
from the doorway and then her moth-
ers hand was pressing her arm. .
Marta, If you remain out here'
J shall." announced Mrs. Galland.
Il was just coming in"
Dellarme, his cap held before him IN
the jaunty fashion Of officers Doweu'
his face beaming his happiness at her
decision.
"Come," Mrs. Gallapd slipped her
hand into Marta's. Two women can I
fight both armies. Come! | PRESCRIBE
hot coffee. 1t Is waiting; and, do you
know. | find a meal in the kitchen
very cozy."
! Being human and not heroine leu
! on lotos blossoms. and being exhaust
, ed and also hungry, when she was
seated at table, with Minna adroltiy
urging her. Marta ate with the reilsn
, of little Peterkin in the shell crater
munching biscuits from his haversack,
but the movement of the minute-hahu
on the clock-face became uncanny ana
! merciless to her eye in its deliberate
regularity. Dellarme had been told
, to hold on until noon, she knew. was
3 he still smiling? Was Teller still
) happy in playing stream OF leao
from the automatic? Was the second
: charge of the Grays, which must nave
come to close quarters when the guns
: went silent, going to succeed?
: Mrs. Galland had settled down con
! scientiouely to play solitaire, favor
: tie pastime of hers; but she failed
. to win, as she complained to Marta
because Of her stupid way this morn
l. ing of missing the combination cards
Q After a long intermission came an
;, other outburst from Dellarme's men
" which she interpreted as the Response
g to another rush by the Grays; and thi
= yelping of the demon was not ina
of the hound after the hare, as IL
t the valley, but of the hare with hi
r back to the wall. When 1t was owe
s there was no cheer. What did thi
y mean? Without warning to her mothe
she bolted out Of the kitchen. Mrs
n Galland sprang up to follow, bu
Minna barred the way.
II "One is enough" she said firmly
l. and Mrs. Galland dropped back int
:, her chair.
" In the front rooms Marta foun
havoc beyond her imagination. A POI
d ton of the ceiling had been blown on
1t by shell entering at an upstairs viii
dow; the hardwood floors were Ii
D. tered with plaster and window-glaf
f. and ripped into splinters in places.
1t CTO BE CONTINUED)