The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-01-09

that knoll half a lifetime He looked
J at his watch and it was five o'clock
For seven hours they had held on
The Grays' trench was complete tn,
breadth of the slope: more reserve.
were coming up. The brigade com
mander Of the Grays was going I.
make sure that the next charge sue
ceeded
AT last Dellarme's glance toward
reglmental headquarters showed the
nag that was the signal for with
drawal. Could he accomplish it? The
nrst lieutenant, with a shattered arm
mad gone on a litter. The old ser
geant was dead, a victim of the colo
NAL wars. Used to fighting savage en-
emies. he had been too eager in ex
posing himself to a civilized foe. He
mad been shot through the throat
Men of the first section" Dellarme
called, you will slip out of line with
the greatest care not to let the enemy
Know that you are going"
Going going! Careful! Men of
the first section going!" the parched
throats repeated in thrilling whisper.
Those who remain keep increasing
their fire." called Dellarme again.
! Cover the whole breadth of the
! trench"
! Every fourth man wormed himself
| backward on his stomach until he was
! below the skyline, when his stiffened
| limbs brought him to his feet and he
| started on a dead run down into the
valley and toward a cut behind an
! other knoll across the road from the
Galland house. The others followed at
intervals.
Once across a road and up three Sc
ries of steps of the other garden ter
race, behind a breastwork of sand
them had fallen asleep on the ground
after finishing their ratiOns, logs Of
men in animal exhaustion. Some OF
those awake were too weary to give
to each other more than a nod and
smile. They had witnessed too much
horror that day to talk about it. But
Stransky foraged.
Marta. coming out on the veranda.
saw him.
you are tired! You are hungry"
she said with urgent gentleness.
Come in"
He followed her into the house and
dropped on a leather chair before a
shining table in a room paneled with
oak, wondering at her and at himself
No woman of Marta's world had ever
spoken in that way to him. But it
was good to sit down. Then a maid
with sad, winsome face and tender
eyes brought him wine and bread and
cold meat and jam. He gulped down
a glassful of wine; he ate with great
mouthfuls in the ravenous call of
healthy, exhausted tissues, while the
maid stood by to cut more bread.
When it comes to eating after fight
ing"
He looked up when the first pangs
of hunger were assuaged. Enormous,
broadshouldered, physical, his cheeks
flushed with wine, his eyes opened
wide and brilliant with the fire that
was in his nature-eyes that spoke the
red business Of anarchy and war.
Say, but you're pretty!"
Springing up, he caught her hand |
and made to kiss her in the brashness |
Of impulse. Minna struck him a sting.
ing blow in the face. He received it |
as a mastiff would receive a bite from !
a pup, and she stood her ground, her
eyes challenging his fearlessly.
$50 you are like that" he said
1T was a good one, and
you meant it, too"
Decidedly" she answered There's
more where that came FRONT"
Then little Clarissa Eileen entered
and pressed against her mothers
skirts, subjecting Stransky to child
hoods scrutiny. He waved a finger
1t her and grinned and drew his eyes
together in a squint at the bridge of
lis nose, making funny face that
brought laugh.
Your child?" stransky asked Minna.
Yes"
where's her father? Away fight
ng?"
81 don't, know where he isl"
"Oh!" he unused. WAS that blow
or him at the same time as for me?"
lie pursued thoughtfully.
Eyes, for all of your kind"
"M-m-m!" came from between his
Ups as he rose. would you mind hold.
ng out your hand?" he asked with a ;
entleness singularly out of keeping
With his rough aspect
"Why?" she demanded.
"Ive never studied any books OF Ell.
uette of polite society. and | am a
DOR sort at making speeches, anyhow.
tut l want to kiss good woman's
and by way Of apology. / never
Used one in my life, but I'm getting
lot of new experiences today. viii
ou?"
She held out her hand at arms
ength and flushed slightly as he :.
ressed his lips to it.
You certainly do cut thick slices" |
e said smiling. And you certainly I