Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-27
and
ROBERT WELLS
BlTCHIE

Captain Woodhouse looked out on
4 the flying panorama Of straw matched
houses and fields heavy with green
grain. He seemed to be balancing
words. He glanced at the passenger
across the aisle, wizened little man,
asleep. In lowered voice he began:
"A woman alone-over here on the
continent at this time! Why, I very
much fear she will have great difacu--
\ ties when trouble comes"
"Trouble| James eyes were ques-
I tioning.
II do not wish to be an alarmist,
Miss Gerson," Captain Woodhouse con.
tinued, hesitant. Goodness knows
we've had enough calamity shouters
among the Unionists at home. But
have you considered what you would
do-how you would get back to Amer
lea in case of-war?" The last word
Z was almost q whisper.
War;" she echoed. "Why, you don't
mean all this talk in the papers is''-
rs serious, yes" Woodhouse an
swered quietly: every serious"
why, Captain Woodhouse, thought
you had war talk every summer over
here. just 40 our papers are filed each
spring with gossip about how Wagner
is going to retire from the game or the
Yanks are going to be sold. It's your
regular midsummer outdoor sport over
here this stirring up the animals"
Woodhouse smiled, though his gray
eyes were filed with something not
mirth.
II fear the animals are-stirred, as
you say, too far this time" he re-
{ sumed. Tho assassination Of the
sArchduks Feed'-
Yes. remember did read some
thing about that in the papers at home.
But archdukes and kings have been
killed before and no war came of It.
In Mexico they murder president be-
4 fore he has chance to send out AT
home cards"
Europe IS so different from Me1i-
CO." her companion continued, the lines
Of his face deepening. II am afraid
you over in the states do not know
the dangerous politics here; you are 50
far away: you should thank God for
that. You are not in land where
one manor two or three-may say,
We VIII now go to war, and then You
90, willy nilly."
The seriousness Of the captains
speech and the fear that he could not
keep from his eyes sobered the girl.
! She looked out on the sun drenched
plains Of Pas de Calais. where toy
i villages. hedged fields and squat farm.
houses lay al in order, established,
seeming for Ill time In the comfortable
dose u security. The ploddiny mani.
1 kins ia the fields, the slumberous oxen
drawing the harrows amid the beet
rows, pigeons circling over the straw
hutclles by the tracks sides-all thia
denied the possibility Of wars cor
rOsion.
Don't you think everybody is SUI.
sfering from bad dream when they
say there's to be fghting?" she queri.
I ed. "Surely IL is impossible that folks
over here would all consent~to destroy
this" She waved toward the peaceful
countryside. 4.
"A bad dream. yes. But one that
will end in nightmare" he answered.
"Tell me, Miss Gerson, when viii you
BE- through With your work in Paris
aud on your way back to America r
Not for Z month, that's sure. Nay
be iii be longer II like the place"
Woodhouse pondersd.
"a month. This is the 10th Of July.
am afraid say. Miss Gerson,
please do not get me down for med
tiler this short acquaintance and all
that-but may not urge on You that
you finish your work in Paris and get
back to England at least In two weeksT
The captain had turned and was look
ing into the girls eyes with an earnest
intensity that startled her. Il cannot
tell You all Isknow, Of course. I may
not even know the truth, though I
think have I bit Of It, right enough.
But one Of your sort-to be caught
alone on this Side Of the water BY the
madness that q brewing! BY George,
It do not like to think Of itr'
x thank you. Captain Woodhouse,
for your warning" Jane answered