The Monticellonian., 1915-02-25
CHAPTER XV-Continued.

"Yes?" 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 revolting hy- pocrisy-infiuences the issue between two nationsl Her deceit deals in the lives of sons precious to fathers and mothers, the fate of frontiers, of insti- tutions! Think of iti Think of ma chimes costing countless millions-ma- chimes of flesh and blood, with their destinies shaped by one little bit of lying informationi Think of the folly of any civilization that stakes it's tri- umphs on such a gamble! Am not right? Isn't 1t true? Isn't it?"
 Yes, yes, Marta But-I-" If she were weakening it was not his place to try to strengthen her purpose.
 It will the sooner end fighting. won't 1t, Lanny?" she asked in small, tense voice.
 Yes"
 And the only real end that means real peace is to prove that the weak can hold back the strong from their threshold ?"
 Yes"
 Even now Westerling might be on the veranda, perhaps waiting for news that would enable him to crush the weak; to prove that the law of five pounds of human flesh against three, and five bayonets against three, is the law of civilization.
 Yes, yes, yes!" The construction was gone from her throat; there was a drum beat in her soul. Depend on me, Lanny!" 1t was Feller's favorite phrase spoken by the one who was to take his place. Yes, I'm ready to make any sacrifice now. For what am I? What is one woman compared to such a purpose? l don't care what is said of me or what becomes of me If we can win! Good-by, Lanny, till call you up again! And God with us!"
 God with us." as Partow had said, over and over. The saying had come to be repeated by hard-headed, agnos- tic staff-officers, who believed that the deity had no relation to the efficiency of gun-fre. The Brown infantrymen even were beginning to mutter it in the midst of action.
 Waiting on the path of the second terrace for Westerling to come. Marta realized the full meaning of her task. Day in and day out she was to have suspense at her elbow and the horror of hypocrisy on her conscience, the while keeping her wits nicely bal aneed When she saw Westerling ap- pear on the yeranda and start over the lawn she felt dizzy and uncertain of her capabilities.
 T have considered all that you have said for my guidance and l have de- eided." she began.
 She heard her own voice with the relief of a singer in debut who, with knees shaking, finds that her notes are true. She was looking directly at Westerling in profound seriousness. Though knees shook, lips and chin could aid eyes in revealing the pain ful fatigue of battle that had ragged in the mind of a woman who went away for half an hour to think for herself.
 T have concluded" she went on. that it is an occasion for the sac rifce of private ethics to a great pur- pose, the sooner to end the slaugh- ter"
 All true!" whispered an inner voice It's tone was Lannys. in the old days of their comradeship. It gave her strength. All true!
 Yes, an end--a speedy end." said Westerling with a fine infiexible em. phasis. That is your prayer and mine and the prayer of all lovers of humanity"
 Tt is little that l know. but such as it is you shall have it." she began. conscious of his guarded scrutiny. When she told him of Bordir, the weak point in the first line of the Browns defense, she noted no change in his steady look; but with the men, ton of Engadir in the main line she detected gleam in his eyes that had the merciless delight of a cutting edge of steel. T have made my sac rifice to some purpose? The infor- nation is worth something to your" she asked wistfully.
 Yes. yes. Yes, it promises that way. he replied thoughtfully.
 Quietly he began a considerate cate chism Soon she was subtly under standing that her answers lacked the convincing details that he sought. She longed to avert her eyes from his for an instant, but she knew that this would be fatal. She felt the force of