The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-03-27
CHAPTER Vit'-Contlnued.

CHAPTER Vit,-Continued.
Now Dellarme disposed his men IN
line back of the ridge of fresh earth
that they had dug in the night, ready
% rush to their places when he blew
the whistle that hung from his neck.
but he did not allow them a glimpse
over the crest.
Il know that you are curious, but
powerfU, glasses are watching for you
to show yourselves; and if a battery
turned loose on US you'd understand"
he explained.
Thus the hours wore on. and the
church clock struck nine and ten.
Never a movement down there!"
called the sergeant from the crest to
Dellarme Maybe this is just their
final bluff before they come to terms
about Bodlapoo"--tha stretch of Az
rican jungle that seemed very far
away to them all.
Let us hope sol" said Dellarme
seriously.
SuUUsIuS 10 go u SoWh ny tnc
castle road rather than down the ter
race to the main pass road, Marta.
starting for the regular Sunday SER
vice Of her school, as she emerged
from the grounds. saw Feller, garden
shears In hand, figure OF stone
watching the approach of some field
batteries. The question OF allowing
him to undertake his part as a spy
had drifted into the background of her
mind under the distressing and ever
present pressure Of the crisis. He was
to remain until there was war. She
was almost past him before he real
iced her presence, which he acknowl-
edged by a startled movement and q
step forward as he took on his hat.
She paused. His eyes were glowing
like Goals under a blower as he looked
At her and again at the batteries,
seeming to include her with the guns
in the spell of his fervid abstraction.
Frontier closed last night to pre-
vent intelligence about our prepara-
tions leaking out-Lannys plan all
alive-the guns coming" he said, his
shoulders stiffening. his chin drawing
in. his features resolute and beaming
with the ardor of youth in action
troops moving here and there to their
places engineers preparing the de-
fenses- automatjcs at critical points
with the infantry-feldwi wires laid
field-telephones set up-the wireless
spitting-the caissons full-planes and
dirigibles ready-search-light In po-
sition-"
There the torrent OF his broken SEN
tences was checked. A shadow passed
IL front Of him. He came out Of his
trance of imageries of activities, SO
vividly clear to his military mind, to
realize that Marta was abruptly leav-
ing.
"Miss Galland!" he called urgently.
Firing may commence at any min
ute. You must not go into town."
But 1 must!" she declared, speak
ting over her shoulder while shc
passed 1t was clear that no warning
would prevail against her detef,.. ed
mood.
Then shall 60 with you!" he said,
starting toward her with light step.
1T IL not necessary, thank you"
she answered, more coldly than she
bad ever spoken to him. This had a
/magically quick effect on his atti-
tude.
Il beg your pardon! l forgot!" he
explained in his old mans voice, his
Mad sinking, his shoulders dropping
, the humility of servant who rec
1ynizes that he has been properly re-
jb1ked for presumption. Not gun
ner any more-Im a spy!" he thought.
as he shufled OF without looking
toward the batteries again. though the
music Of wheels and hoofs was now
close by.
Marta had q glimpse OF him as she
turned away. He is what he Is be-
cause Of the army: victim Of cult,
. habit" she was thinking. Had he
been in any other calling. his fine quail
tiles might have been OF. service to the
world and he would have been happy"
A company Of infantry resting
among their stacked rides changed
~ color Of the square IN the distance
bMa the esAy navepaent' ~ the brown