Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-18
IN TWO PARTS-PART II.
CHAPTER v. The Colonel of the Legion

i
the Colonel, and the pale, broodng light in his hard
eyes, Belmont, some hours later, when he came up
for punishment knew that his would be no light
tence. The Colonel in of his blacklist moods,
and every man of the regiment knew and feared the
sinister fury of the at these times. The pale eyes
played swiftly Belmont as he was marched into po
sltlon.
"Aha Here we have Our celebrated deserter' said
the Colonel in sort of snarl @You him thereeven
the vultures rejected him! Nom de DieM What regi
ment-what carton to communicating that the
hyenas reject"
Belmont stood stiff motioness, staring straight be-
fore him. Slowly he was coming back to himself again,
that brandy in the night, the food the wash, the
change of Clothes had lifted him far of the slough of
despond the qucksands of insanity that had laid hold
upon his heels He was he had been gentleman. And,
though he had thrown away his brthrght years before,
he could throw away his breeding and the instincts
of his class.
He set his teeth together, schooling himself take
him.
4Cest Ia Legionl Cest la Legionl' The phrase
humned through his BRAIN and he chung it. is the
ultimate limit of the philosophy of the egonnaire when
things at their worst to shrug-f he canand say,
though to explain ALL 3Cest la Legon In effect, at
is the Legion-what else can man expect? Endure it
because you of the Legion!" The man who is
tried beyond this limit is perously near the caard the
madness.
The Colonel asked sharp questions of the Sergeant
concerning Bemonts equipment, his record and his
marching powers The Legion are easily the finest
marchers in the world-they have to be. "March or
die' is their watchword when active service the
column does not wait for aggards weaklngs. Those
who drop left behind and die-die horribly at the
hands of the Arab women.
The Sergeant, the Austrian who had visited the cell,
answered briefly and to the establishment of those pres
ent, spoke well for the prisoner His equip ment
complete, his record--until he deserted good, his
marching excellent. Rarely before had the orderly
room heard Sergeant speak we'll for prisoner and the
Colonel glared like tiger disappointed of his prey
g Nom de Dienl" he swore sardonically. @This is
clever deserter Sixty days imprisonment he snapped,
Belmont saluted. @Pardon, mon Colonel he said
quietly.
The Colonel turned angrily. Silence, animal! Do
you wish then to be sent to the Zephyrs?"
4No, my Colonel but-a letter" He handed the let
ter the Sergeant, who delivered it the Colonel
GAS for the remaining letters can them also
for you" said Belmont.
The Colonel glanced at the letter contemptuo1sly.
But suddenly all the contempt and rage and cruelty
died out from his face He stared at the paper
may stare at his own death warrant. He paled,
and his eyes f1ickered round the like those of
trapped animal The others stared amazed For full
minute intense silence reigned then the Colonel folded
the letter and placed it in his pocket.
Il will speak with this alone" he snarled.
Instantly the room emptled.
The Colonel close up to Belmont. "NOW my
tell me how you obtained this letter. and where the
others hidden he said and his eyes the eyes of
man lusting to murder.
Belmont gave him stare for stare. II tell nothing
yet" he said fatty "Remit my sentence and give
all the leave need and shall obtain the others for YOU
That is all. You must trust me-"
To his establishment the Colonel did not break out
into hurricane of rage On the contrary, he sened
suddenly looked long at the set face of the whose
fate he held in his hand, and presently nodded.
"Very we'll" he said, Il trust YOU" But his lips
twisted. "Do you say" he added 3and l will
give you your discharge and money to get you out of
Algeria. Fai-and will have you sent to the penal
battalion for life' He called the Sergeant. 3Ths
man is pardoned" he said. Release him. He has
unlimited leave. Make out all passes he requires for
week"
The Sergeant saluted and the Colonel left the ROOM
THE two legionnares the private and the Sergeant,
stared at each other, their eyes full of wonder.
Then Sergeant horrible