Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-01-06
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Change of Plan.

That day and the next Westerling
had no time for strolling in the gar
den. His only exercise was Il few
periods Of pacing on the veranda. Tur-
cas-. as tirelessly industrious as ever,
developed an increasingly quiet insist
ence TO leave the responsibility OF de-
cisions about everything OF importance
to chief who was becoming increas-
ingly arbitrary. The attack on Enga-
dir being the jewel OF Westerllng's
own planning, he was dlsincllned to
risk success by delegating authority.
which also meant sharing the glory Of
victory.
Bouchard's note. though officially DIS
missed as matter Of pathology. would
not accept dismissal privately. In
flashes OF distinctness IL REQUIRED to
him between reports Of the progress
OF preparations and directions as to
dispositions. At dusk OF the second
day. when all the guns and troops had
their places for the final movement UNI
der cover of darkness and he rose
from his desk. the thing that had
edged It's way into a crowded mind
took possession OF the premises that
strategy and tactics had vacated. II
passed under the same analysis as his
work. His overweening pride. so SEN
sitive to the suspicion OF a conviction
that he had been fooled, put his rela-
tons with Marta in logical review. He
had fallen In love in the midst of war.
A cool and intense impatlence DOS.
sessed him to study her in the light
of his new skepticlem, when. turning
the path OF the first terrace, he saw
her watching the sunset over the crest
of the range.
She was standing quite still. a slim.
soft shadow between him and the light.
which gilded her figure aud quarter
profile Did she expect hiru? he won.
dered. Was she posing at that in
slant for his benefit? When she
turned. her face in the shadow, the
glow of the sunset seemed to remain
in her eyes. otherwise without express.
sion. yet able TO detect something un.
usual under externals as they ex-
changed commonplaces OF greeting.
Well there's a change in our Off.
cial family. We have lost Bouchard-
transferred to another post!" said
| Westerllng
Marta noted that. though he gave
the news casual turn. his scrutiny
/ sharpened,
is that so? can't say that my
mother and shall be sorry" she re.
marked. lie was always glaring al
us as If he wished us out of sight.
Indeed II he had his way, think he
would have made us prisoners OF war.
Wasn't he womau-hater?" she con
cluded, half in irritation. half in
amusement.
He had that reputation" said Yves
terling. What 10 yoG .hlnk led to
| his departureg" he continued.
Il confess cannot guess!" said
| Marta, with a look at the sunset glow
as If she resented the loss of min.
ute OF It,
There has been a leak of informa.
ton TO the Brownsl" he announced
There has! And he was intelli.
( keuCS olhCeEs Wasu I ne she asked,
! turning to Westerling, her curiosity
apparently aroused as matter OF cour.
tesy to his own interest in the sub.
| iect
who do you think he accused
Why. YOU" he added. with a peculiar
| laugh.
She noted the popularity OF the
! laugh discriminatory
Obi Her eyes opened wide IN
wonder-only wonder. at first. Then
as comprehension took the place Of
wonder, they grew sympathetic THAT
explains!" she exclaimed. His hate
! full glances we're those OF delusicn, He
was going mad. you mean?'
Yes" said Westeriing. "thRt--that
would explain, i'll"
Il have been told that when people
go mad they always ascribe every in
Jury done to them TO the person who
happens to have excited their dislike.
she unused
Which seems to have been the cas-,