The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-10-31

fore. Il wss not prettrness but
beauty which confronted me, yet the
look upon her face told me at once
her distrust.
"Mademoiselle," I said, conscious
OF strange sound to my voice. Il,
think the way Is clear for US to CO."
For you, Monsieur" and she at
tanned her feet, ignoring my hand,
THE way is clear, for am a woman
without strength to stop you. l can
ask but one favor-giye me back the
paper"
THE paper! Why? Am I not
now TO be trusted with It's deliv-
ery?"
My tone of surprise must have
been noticed. for the expression of
her eyes changed.
do you imply you ever meant to
deliver it?" she asked swiftly.
Ever intended to ride into the
French lines? You heard this
mans tale. Are you not that Irish
officer, Monsieur. who killed my
brother? Is not that why you were
hiding here?"
l bent my head, struggling for
courage to face her and explain.
Twas no easy task, for she was
the mans. sister. Yet I could not
leave hef'here alone; nor see her
ride forth into the dark night unat-
| tended.
We'll, Monsieur"
Eyes, I am the man." I answered
you attempt no defense? You
make no excuse?"
mo, Mademoiselle. My COM
rades will tell you how the affair
occurred. All I shall say is that
we fought fairly"
But" she insisted, her eyes ever
on my face, 'if you were justified,
why was 1t necessary for you to
seek refuge in flight? Dueling is
not uncommon In the camp"
your brother was my superior
officer, q favorite of Marshal Sake
and noble Of France. My only
hope for justice lay In an appeal to
the king"
She was silent for a moment, her
head dropping.
"And you insist that you would
have carried the dispatches to
Charleroi?"
Eyes. Mademoiselle."
"The act would have, endangered
your life? Led to your arrest?"
Eyes, Mademoiselle."
Then why would you dare to
run such a risk-for France?"
Partially, Mademoiselle; l am a
soldier. Yet, there was another
motive"
"What?"
"a woman's honor and a wom-
ans trust"
A bit of red crept into her cheek.
You do not say that merely to
be gallant. You are not a courtier,
Monsieur Shea. I do not in the
least know why II should be so, but
| almost believe you. I do not know
what these dispatches contain, yet
we may have entrusted to us the
fate of France. We must trust each
other-not even the killing of my
brother can justify my refusal to
accept your aid now. You have
fought for ME" she shuddered as
she looked at Awlright-T must be
grateful; besides"
What, Mademoiselle"
81 loved my brother, Monsieur.
He was ever kind to me, yet know
him to have been hard and over
bearing to others. Perchance this
affair was his fault will not con-
denim you until / know"
"You have given me new
heart" I said earnestly. IT have
your confidence"
Eyes," she answered, graveIy.
Il am going to trust you. See!
The Englishman moves! He Is not
dead"
ut was light blow I struck,
but 1t will give us time. Pick up
your pistol. Mademoiselle. Come,
as guide YOU"
/ | lifted the latch noiselessly and
peered cautiously out. The red
CLEAN Of a campfire cast a reveal
ing light over objects Immediately
at hand. Not far away could be
distinguished the building in
which / had concealed my horse;
the door was to the right, and I
knew sentry would be there.
Convinced thlt I had located
the camp, our path of escape must
lie in the opposite direction, and
yet It would be useless for us to
flee on foot. Even altho we pos
sessed several hours yet of dark
ness. mounted men would easily
track us down with the first bright
ening Of dawn. And Albright
would not remain long unconscious;
he would awaken. actuated by
mad desire, for revenge.
Memory told me there were
houses to the left. Their shadows
would help conceal our movements.
The girl could be left there safely,
while I sought the horse herd, and
discovered some means for procur-
ing a suitable mount
I watched for the shadow of the
sentry, and the instant I felt con-
WINGED the fellow had turned his
back I urged her forward with
word of explanation. AS silent as
though we were specters we ven
tured along in the shade of the tav-
ern wall, crossed a narrow open
space and crouched breathless .ie-
side the black shadow of hut.
| Continued In Our Next lssue)