The diamond drill., 1913-02-15
corYRlcnr. l,I,. ~ Q. ;. PurNAx's SONS


face and flashing eyes. framed In re-
bcllious !. hair OF warm bronze color.
One look at this splendid spirited pic
ture and Kerchiyal West sprang for
ward with arms extended. exclaiming:
Gertrude. my dear Gertrude! Is 1t
possibler'
mot dear Gertrude to you--my jail
err she retorted, drawing back.
So this was their meeingl Enc
miles, still. and drawn up In line OF
battle.
Pardon me. Miss dillingham; said
Kerchiyal bumbly. II feel that am
your prisoner now"
"We must both face the painful real.
tiles OF war;" she answered coldly.
Believe me. Gertrude. my position
IL more-more regrettable than yours"
"Do not forget your paramount duty
AZ a military officer on my account"
she pursued tauntingIy.
"Wlll you please hand me whatever
dispatches or other papers may be IN
your possession"
"And II / don't choose tot You can
threaten me with force. suppose.
am only a woman. going about my
business-my military duty. II you
please-in defense OF my home. III
did not know, Colonel West" her
voice wavered little, but she recover
ed herself instantly-"that you were
coming In this threat attitude.
Well. ! am In your power. Order IN
the guardl Call up your whole regi-
menti Beat the long roll aud then see
II l give upf'
Hello! What's all thisT' demanded
grufr voice as the imposing form OF
General Buckthorn loomed up behind
them. us this your prisoner, Colonel
WestT
'Yes. general" stammered Kerchi-
val. who nevertheless felt relieved at
the sight OF bis senior commander.
"Jenny's fntherr' gnsped Gertrude.
II wonder II he will recognize me?"
Zine young woman, ehT' said the
old general In hoarse whisper, at the
same time giving Kerchival sly
punch In the ribs Then he turned and
bowed gallantly. removing his bat. but
as suddenly resumed his air OF mill
tary sternness. held out his hand TO
Kerchival and demanded. let Us see
the dispatches"
"she refuses TO give them up" an
swered the young officer
"Oh. she does. does she7 My dear
young lady. kindly LET Us have those
dispatches without any further pala
vering."
II have no dispatches" replied Ger
trude splritedly, ''and | would not give
them TO you II had"
"whatl You defy my authorityf
Wen see about that Colonel West,
search the prlsoner"
KerchIval stood aghast
General Buckthorn. cannot obey
that order"
''You-you refuse TO obey my orderf"
THAT IA the woman love. SIR
whispered Kerchival aside to the gem
erai.
"Oho! why didn't you say sof IN
have TO take matters IN my own hands
then"
Don't DO that. General Buckthornr'
said the young officer, facing him with
determination.
"BIast your eyes. sir T'd court mnr-
fiaI you II yon did let me search her.
But duty Il duty. Consider Yourself
sworn at. sir. Young woman. Colonel
West here has sacrificed his life to pro
tect you
"His lifeT" cried Gertrude.
II must have him shot for nsnbor
dlnation IN front OF the enemy" con
tinued the general, giving Kerchivai 4
huge wink.
"Oh, siri General Buckthornl have
|, told tho truth. have no dispatches
haven't scrap OF paper about me-
except
'.Ah. except Except whatY'
'Only this letter." taking II from
the bosom Of her riding habit. "Here
n IL. Upon my honor, II IL all ] have
truly. Il H."
General Buckthorn took the letter
and glanced II over quizzicnliy.
"Washlngton-ho. hol sce-Colo
mel Kerchival West
Don't read II aloud. general, please
interrupted Gertrude.
VERY well. won't" He read on
aside. mumbling to himneIf--" had
heard you say. as did'-m-m-'you
loved him with your whole henrt-this
IL important-'S signed. Constance Hav
-H'm-'my dear Gertrude Are you
my dear Gertrude Miss Gertrude El
iinghamT
Yes. general"
Thunder and Mars Then this Il
your house. and my daughter Jenny Il
your guest7"