The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-05-29


knew. No. the Browns would not
yield until they were decimated
I'VE have the numbers to spare.
Numbers shall press Monochrome to
terms in their capital" Westerling's
voice grew husky as he proceeded.
harsh as orders to soldiers who hest
tated in face Of IRE. After that-after
that"-the tone changed from harsh
ness to desire. which was still the do
sire Of possession-"the fruits Of
peace, q triumph that l want you to
shared" He was drawing her toward
him with an impulse OF the force Of
this desire. when she broke free with
an abrupt, struggling pull.
mot that! Not that! Your work
is not yet done!" she cried
He made a move as II to persist,
then he fell back with q gesture of
understanding.
Right! Hold me to i'll" he e1-
claimed resolutely. Hold me to the
bargain! So a woman worth while
should hold man worth while"
"Yes!" she managed to say. and
turned to go in a sudden impetus of
energy. Half running. half stumbling.
the light Of the lantern bobbing and
trembling weirdly, she fastened
through the tunnel. Usually the time
for taking the receiver down till
Lanny replied was only half min
ute Now she waited what seemed
many minutes without response. Had
the connections been broken? To
make sure that her Impotence was
not tricking her she began to count
of the seconds. Then she heard Lam
stron's voice, broken and hoarse:
Marta, Marta. he is dead! Partow
Is dead"
Recovering himself. Lanstron told
In keeping with his life and his
prayers. AS the doctor put it, the
light Of his mind. turned on full volt
age to the last. went out without
flicker. Through the day he had at
tended to the dispositions for receiv-
ing the Grays' attack, enlivening rou.
tine as usual with flashes of humor
and reflection ranging beyond the de-
tails in hand An hour or so before
dark he had reached across the table
and laid his big. soft palm on the back
of Lanstron's hand. He was thinking
aloud, habit of his in Lanstron's com
pany, when an idea requiring gesta-
tion came to him.
my boy, 1t is not fatal If we lose
the apron of Engadir The defenses
behind 1t are very strong"
No. not fatal" Lanstron agreed.
But it's very important"
And Westerling. will think it fatal.
Yes, understand his character. Yes
yes; and II our counter-att should
fail, then Miss Galland's position
would be secure. Hm-m-m-those
whom the gods would destroy
hm-m-m. Westerling will be con-
WINGED that repeated. overwhelming
attacks will gain our main line. In.
stead of using engineering approaches,
he will throw his battalions, masses
upon masses, against our works until
his strength Is spent. 1t would be
batting the bull. A risk..a risk-but
my boy, am going to"
Partow's head, which was bent in
thought, dropped with jerk. A con.
vulsion shook him and he fell forward
onto the map. his brave old heart in
its last futter. and Lanstron was alone
in the silent room with the dead and
his responsibility.
THE order that knew he was about
to speak, Marta, / gave for him. Ian
stron concluded. 1T seemed to me
an inspiration-his last inspiration
to make the counter attack a feint"
And you're acting chief of staff.
Lanny? You against Westerling?"
Yes"
The colonel of the 12Sth and Captain
Fracasse were eating their biscuits to-
gether and making occasional remarks
rather than holding a conversation.
We'll, Westerling is a tield-mar.
shall" said the colonel.
Yes, he's got something out of It'll"
THE men seem to be losing spirit
there's not doubt of it," exclaimed the
colonel, more aloud to himself than
to Fracasse, after while.
mo wonder!" replied Fracasse. Mar.
tinet though he was, he spoke in grum,
bling loyalty to his soldiers. What
kind Of spirit Is there in doing the
work of navvies? Spirit! No sol.
diers ever fought better-in invasion,
at least Look at our losses, Spirit |!
Westerling drives us in. He thinks
we can climb Niagara Falls! He"
stop. You are talking like an an
archist!" snapped the colonel. How
can the men have spirit when you feel
that way?"
Il shall continue to obey orders and
do my duty, sir!" replied Fracasse.
And they will, too, or I'll know the
reason why"
the colonel exploded:
Il suppose Westerling knows what