Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-01-28

as 1t is painful We just act on the
evidence before us"
The young officers face showed in.
tense anguish.
Well" continued the Colonel. and
It strange smile crept over his harden.
ed, handsome face, I'VE consider that
an alibi is your only real defence"
Frank shuddered. IT'S like an Old
Bailey horror" he exclaimed.
Yes, an abb. We are convinced
your reputation as a libertine has
led us to the idea-that you cannot
tell us where you were at the fatal
time because to do so you would have
T.: compromise some lady"
The young officer started back, his
face turned TO the color OF old ivory
Compromise some lady," he muttcr.
cd; then murmured, But suppose Il
we're the case, COLONEL"
The present case is one OF being
drummed out of the Army and then
tried by some damned civilian and Im.
rrisoned as a. burglar. Oh, Lord,
Frank! to think of that, and your old
father, my dear friend. Look here.
We've thought IL out. or course. you
can't give away a woman: but we've
chosen three--Wlison, Howard, and /.
They are dry old sticks, with no wives
I? talk to, and T. Can't you trust
me?"
oh, sir said the prisoner. 81 would
uust you with my life!"
We'll, it's quite simple. You tell us
YOUR secret under solemn oath OF Sc
crecy. II we are satisfied, and tell the
Court that we are satisfied, they will
take our word that you were elsewhere
AZ the time and acQuit you. It's bit
Irregular but you may rely on u.s."
The face of the young man was that
of Tantalus at his acutest moment.
81 can't, can't-it isn't honorable"
Would | advise you-would we ad.
wise you to act dishonorably?"
TO tell her name to three men,"
We'll, ! suppose her servant knew
the secret and you can trust us as
much. Why, she couldn't refuse to
permit you. If she were asked. You
cont object to Wilson or to Howard?
They're honorable men who would die
rfther than betray the secret. You
believe they're honorable. don't your"
The young man made gesture of as.
sent
Then you don't trust me-"
"Oh, Colonel, you are the soul of hon.
or; but can't ! can't"
Cant tell me? Why not?"
Il didn't say that" was the STAN.
mered answer.
why not-why not?" came the re-
Ply, fiercely. There can be only two
re asons; either you won't trust me, or
-"
A long, aching pause.
"Or--yes, by God! II was my
wife!"
The young officers eyes dropped;
the Colonel sprang forward and struck
him in the face, so hard as to send
aim Keeling back; Immediately, by in.
stnct, the Captain clutched at his
empty scabbard.
i oughtnt to have struck you; but,
Lurse you, now you may rot in jail"
You don't know how was tempted,
how long resisted, how miserable my
weakness has made mel"
And !, the old fool who married a
ovely, penniless girl. young enough to
be his daughter, and find that she and
he son of his old friend, the young
nan to whom he's been a second faith
'r-Oh God, ] can't believe ii, can't
.elieye that she was so base and you
10 contomptible!"
The prisoner stood silent, a pitiful
ieure OF shame.
u can't believe it, and, great Heav
ms, don't believe it, You scoundrel!
iou damned BLACKBOARD! It's lie, a
zap, trick to catch me! You were
he thief, and you think In this way to
top my mouth and make me save you
n order to protect my own honor"
He raised his hand again. The young
nan made no defensive movement.
Colonel he said, gasping. I'm not
O vile as that! I'm bad enough, God