Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-10-26
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science" she responded, slowly. "What'
do you see In miner
Brent turned his gaze elsewhere.
"Shndows," he confessed in n humble.
He fumbled In a pocket and produced
her locket.
This little thing has caused n lot Of
trouble to a number Of people," he
unused aloud.
1T should be destroyed" was her
startling suggestion.
perhaps It can be turned to good
account and some of the wrong be I'M
DONE" he continued, without looking
up.
Bertha said nothing In response to
that.
what would you do with this locket
II 1 were to return It to your Brent
suddenly asked. "Would you show 1t
to Miss Dare as you originally intended
and thus interrupt forever the hope Of
marrying her which 1 have enter
tainedI"
II would hand 1t back to you, Thorn
ton" whispered Bertha with feeling.
Brent laughed r%eslgnedly.
knowing that all my chances in that
direction are gomez"
knowing that IL Miss Dare loves
anyone except Capt. Ralph Payne in
memory, that n is not you and that
you really never had a chance"
"That one being-AdamsT"
Bertha nodded. Adams"
1.-THE Silent Menace"
She nodded again. 1.-THE Silent
Menace"
And you would let her marry him,
superiend that he is, the country's en-
envy and ours, responsible for Payne's
trouble and her unhapplness? You
would do that to revenge yourself on
met" He looked at her strangely and
waited for her reply.
1t was Bertha's chance to admit n
change Of heart and motive and she
did not hesitate. 81 no longer seek to
harm you, Thornton, and l would glad
ly give my life to Miss Dare. The 81
lent Menace shall never marry her.
Yet to prevent that tragedy and at the
same time shield you by any confess
sion of my own will not be easy. For
this reason / have held my tongue"
"Shield me? From what?'
"From irregular conduct in an army
oflcer-the sort that sends men to the
penltentiary for life"
Brent s%huddered. He knew that she
spoke truly. He had erred %grievously
in the performance of duty. And the
ffVaa nrug fugf anr.rnup hfpv rrhnn nan-
sequences would have to be faced. All
of Il sudden he experienced a reckless
impulse to hurry that time and he
thought Of the marriage license.
Bertha !" He grasped her hand and
continued in n tense whisper: "What
do you know about n marriage license
for you and for mel"
Bertha smiled family. adams gave
1t to me-"
"And about n wedding gift?"
She smiled again. Gle told me about
that, too"
They gazed fxedly in each others
eyes.
"Wll you marry me, Bertha? l will
resign before It is too late!"
Bertha freed herself and slowly
shook her head. II will marry you,
Thornton, but only after you have re-
deemed yourself-before 1t is too late"
lie clenched his fists and groaned
aloud. "Tell me how Help me !"
In common accord they rose and
stood face to face. "Unmask Adams!
l will stand by you! Do it at once, to-
night, In the presence of Miss Dare
and the colonel -
Brent's eyes flashed with determlna-
ton. "FIl do It !" he cried, sharply, for
getful for the moment Of time and
place, clasplng her hands once more.
do what, major?" loOmed the voice
OF Colonel Dare out Of the darkness /;
and at the same moment he appeared
on the walk accompanied by a tele-
graph messenger boy.
Bertha, motioning the major to be
silent, ran toward the colonel and re-
piled In his stead. "AIajOr Brent just
concluded to look you up. Miss Dare
and Adams have not yet come home"
A look Of concern filtered over the
features Of the colonel. Heres a boy
with a telegram, major. I'm glad
you're here for / have something Of
importance TO say" he stated, grayely.
Brent took the telegram and hastily
scrawling his receipt, dismissed the
boy who hurried away. With u side
long glance Mt Bertha, he broke the
seal, the coloneLlooklng on impatlently.
Pearl Dare and Orderly Adams are my
prisoners. They viii remain so until /
have accomplished my purpose. II you
follow Colonel Dare's Instructions you al
so will become my victim. ! forewarn
you.
It was signed by the Silent Menace
under his silhouette.
Brent Strengthened up, pressed his
lips firmly together and handed the
telegram without a word to Colonel
Dare.
"What do you get out Of this,
BrentT he CALCULATED.
MAY l inquire what the instructions
| referred 10 are9t