Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-01-08

failed" he replied cheerfully. "One
of the virtues of Partows steel au-
donations is that, being fearless as
we'll as passionless, they never cry
over split milk. And now" he went
on soberly. I'VE must be saying good
by"
"Good-by, Lanny? Why, what do
you mean?" She was startled.
Till the war is over" he said, "and
longer than that, perhaps, if La Tir
remains in Gray territory"
"You speak as if you thought you
were going to lose!"
mot while many of our soldiers are
alive, if they continue to show the
spirit that they have shown so far;
not unless two men can crush one
man in the automatic-gun-recoil age.
But La Tir is in tangent and already
in the Grays' possession, while we act
on the defensive. So should hardly
be flying over your garden again"
But there's the telephone, Lanny,
and here we are talking over it this
very minute!" she expostulated.
"You must remove it," he said. "If
the Grays should discover it they
might form suspicion that would put
you in an unpleasant position"
The telephone had become almost a
familiar institution in her thoughts.
Its secret had something of the fasci-
nation for her of magic
"Nonsense!" she exclaimed 81 am
going to be very lonely. l want to
learn how Teller is doing-I want to
chat with you So decide not to let
it be taken out. And, you see, have
the tactical situation, as you soldiers
call it, all in my favor. The work
Of removal must be done at my end
of the line. You're quite helpless to
enforce your wishes. And, Lanny, if
l ring the bell you'll answer, won't
your"
Il couldn't help it," he replied.
Until then! You've been fine about
everything today!"
Until them"
When Marta left the tower she knew
only that she was weary with the
mind-weariness, the body-weariness,
the nerve-weariness of spectator who
has shared the emotion of every actor
in drama of death and finds the ex
element that has kept her tense nc
longer a sustaining force
| AS she went along the path, steps
uncertain from sheer fatigue, her sen
sibilities livened again at the sight OF
a picture. War, personal war, in the
form of the giant Stransky, was knock
| ing at the kitchen door. His tWo-days
old beard was matted with dust and
there were dried red spatters on his
cheek. Wars furnace flames seemed
to have tanned him; war seemed tc
be breathing from his deep chest; his
big nose was wars promontory But
the unexposed space of his forehead
seemed singularly white when he took
off his cap as Minna came in answer
to his knock. Her yielding lips were
parted, her eyes were bright with in
quiry and suspicion, her chin was
firmly set.
II came to zee if you would let me
kiss your hand again." said Stransky
squirting through his brows wistfully
Il see your nose has been broker
once. You don't want it broken a sec
ond time. I'm stronger than yor
Think" Minna retorted and held ou
her hand carelessly as If it pleased
her to humor him.
He was rather graceful, despite his
size, as he touched his lips to her fin
gers. Just as he raised his head {
burst of cheering rose from the yard
$50 you've found that we have gone
you brilliant intellects" he shouted
and glared at the wall of the house IL
the direction of the cheers.
Quick! You have no time to lose!'
Minna warned him.
Quick! quick!" cried Marta.
Stransky paid no attention to the
urgings. He had something more t.
say to Mnna.
I'm going to keep thinking of vol
and seeing your face-the face of ;
good woman-while fight. And wher
the war is over, may come to call p
he asked.
His feet were so resolutely planted
on the flags that apparently the onl,
way to move them was to consent.
Eyes, yes!" said Minna. NOW
hurry"
Say, but you make me happy
Watch me poke it into the Grays fo
you!" he cried and bolted.
Within the kitchen Mrs. GallanC
was already slumbering soundly il
her chair. Overhead Marta heard thu
EXPLANATIONS of male voices and tn,
tread of what was literally the hee
of the conqueror-guests that haC
come without asking! Intruders tina
had entered without any process O
law! Would they overrun the house
her mothers room, her own room?
Indignation brought fresh strength
as she started up the stairs. TIL,
head of the fight gave on to a darl
| nnrt Of tho hall There Sha naucod