New-York tribune., 1912-02-18

belmont,
for punishment knew that his would be no light SEN
tcncc. The Colonel in one 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-
sitiOn
"Aha Here we have our celebrated dcscrtcr.' said
the Colonel in sort Of snarl you him hcrc-cycn
the vulturcs rejected him. Nom de DicH What rcgl-
mcnt-what carrion to comnand-tmnga that the
hvcnas rcIcct'
Belmont stood stiff morioncss, staring straight be-
fore him Slowly he WIS coming back to himself again,
that brandy in the night, the food the wash, the
change Of clothes had lifted him far out Of the slough Of
dcspond the qucksands Of insanity that had laid hold
upon his heels He was he had been, gentleman. And,
though he had thrown away his blrthrght years before
he could not throw away his breeding and the instincts
He set his teeth together, schooling himself to take
whatever punishment the Colonel chose to mctc out to
@Cca la Legion, Cca Ia Lceion," The phrase
hummcl through his brain, and he clung to it. II is the
ultimate limit Of the philosophy Of the Ggonnalrc when
things are their worst 10 shrug- he Canani say
MS though explain ALL "Cct Ia LcgioH In effect 1T
IS the Lcgion-what else can man expect: Endure II
because YOU are one Of the LcWon. The man who IS
tried beyond this limit is pcnously near the C'dd the
madness.
The Colonel asked sharp questions Of the Sergeant
concerning Bclmonts equipment, his record, and his
marching powers. The Legion are easily the finest
marchcrs in the worId-,hcy have 10 bc. "March or
lie, is their watchwori: when on active service the
who drop are lr, behind and dlc-Ilr horribly AT the
hands Of the Arab women.
The Sergeant the Austrian who had visited the cell,
answered briefly and 90 the astonhmcnt Of those pres
mt, spoke well for the prisoner. His equipment was
complete. his record I-unu he d.-rrtrI-gooi, his
marching excellent. Rarely before had the orderly
room heard Sergeant speak well fora prisoner, and the
Colonel glarci Ike tiger disappointed Of his prey
NOu ID, DnH' hr .&urr rIr..su'.aIIy. u Utr lr
clever dosrr,cr' Sixty days. imprisonment hcsnappcd.
.ul rY-u
Brlmon, ~.u,.I ~Pl,don mnn Co!ond," he said
Th. Colonel turned anuv. silence, animal DO
Won wi. then II, %, sent ?, the Zuphvrs,"
40. my Colonel; bu .alc,,rr" He handed the let
'pr 20 the Sergeant who drlFrr" u :" the Colonel
~. for the remaining letters secure them also
for you." said Belmont
Th. Colonel glanced q, the letter .un,rmp,uou.ly
But suddenly all the contempt and rage and cruelty
lied on, from hi. face. H. stared ' hc paper even as
. man may stare 80 his DHu death Warrant. He pllci.
and his eyes nisprri round the Ike those Of
trapped animal The Others stared amazed For full
minute intense silence rignni: then the Colonel folded
,hrlr',or and placed II IN lbs p" ho.
Il will spca; with this man a'our, hr snurlni.
Instantly the cmptird.
The Colonel came close mp ,p Belmont. "Now. my
man. tell me how YOU obtained this letter. and where the
Others are hidden be- said and his eyes wcr. the eyes Of
q man lus'ing 10 murder
Belmont gave him stare for STARE 81 tell nothing
vet" he said fatty. Remit my sentence and give me
III the leave need and shall obtain the others ioryou.
That is al. You must trust me
10 his asfoui,hmcu, the Colonel did no, break ont
into hurricane Of rage. On the contrary he sicuyd
suddenly looked long a' the set face Of the man whose
fate he held in his hand, and presently nodded.
VERY well" he said, 81 trust yuu. But his lips
were twisted. do as YOU say, he added. and Will
give your discharge and money 20 get YOU out Of
Algeria. Fail | will have YOU sent TO the penal
battalion for lic," He called the Sergeant. This
man is pardoncd" he said. "Rccasc him. He has
unlimited leave Make out al passes he requires for
one week.
The Sergeant ss1utcd and the Colonel left the room
THE two ltgonnaircs, the private and the Sergeant
stared at each other, their eyes full Of wonder