Charlevoix county herald., 1917-08-03
II Story Of Hme,7cu
First" Unmask,xg
AMe,7cu'S Secret Foes
Aosehsed From he 11onon Paayr
Serial Of Me Same Name
Released BY Pafhe
o.~ss. Bs. D cv y. Sscs.~s

ut should be destroyed" was her
startling suggestion.
perhaps it can be turned to good
DONE" he continued, without looking
up.
Bertha said nothing in response to
that.
what would you do with this locket
If were to return it to your" Brent
suddenly asked. "Would you show ii
to Miss Dare as you originally intended
and thus interrupt forever the hope of
marrying her which l have enter
tained?"
81 would hand it back to you, Thorn
ton" whispered Bertha with feeling.
Brent laughed resig4edly.
Knowing that all my chances in that
direction are gomez"
"knowing that if Miss Dare loves
anyone except Capt. Ralph Payne In
memory, that one is not you and that
you really never had chance"
"That one being-Adamsf"
Bertha nodded. adams"
1.-The Silent Menace"
She nodded again. 1.-THE Silent
Menace"
And you would let her marry him,
superfiend that he Is, the country's en-
envy and ours, responsible for Payne's
trouble and her unhappiness? You
would do that To revenge yourself on
me? He looked at her strangely and
waited for her reply.
1t was Bertha's chance to admit Il
change of heart and motive and she
did not hesitate. IL no longer seek to
harm you, Thornton, and l would glad
ly give my life to Miss Dare. The ST.
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 l have held my tongue"
"Shield me? From what?"
"FrOm irregular conduct in an army
Oflicer-the sort that sends men to the
penitentiary for life"
Brent shuddered. He knew that she
spoke truly. lie had erred grievously
in the performance of duty. And the
time was fast approaching when con-
sequences would have to be faced. All
of sudden he experienced reckless
impulse TO hurry that time and he
thought of the marriage license.
Bertha ~ He grasped her hand and
continued in Il tense whisper: What
do you know about marriage license
for you and for meT'
Bertha smiled family. adams gave
it to me-"
"And about wedding gift?"
She smiled again. HE told me about
that, too"
They gazed fixedly in each others
eyes.
"Will you marry me, Bertha? l will
resign before Ii 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"
He clenched his fists and groaned
aloud. Tell me how! Help mel"
In common accord they rose and
stood face to face. "Unmask Adams !
1 will stand by you Do Ii at once, to-
night, in the presence Of Miss Dare
and the colonelw
Brent's eyes flashed with determine
ton. "Tll do 1t !" he cried, sharply, for
getful for the moment of time and
/ place, clasping 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 tele-
/ graph messenger boy.
Bertha, motioning the major to be
| silent, ran toward the colonel and re-
piled In his stead. Major 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. Here's boy
with telegram, major. I'm glad
you're here for / have something of
importance to say" he stated, gravely.
Brent took the telegram and hastily
scrawlng his receipt, dismissed the
boy who hurried away. With side
long glance at Bertha, he broke the
seal, the colonel looking on impatiently.
Pearl Dare ana orderly ADAMS are my
prisoners. They will remain so until i
have accomplished my purpose. IL you
follow Colonel Dare's instructions you al
so will become my victim. Ifforewarn
you.
1t was signed by the Silent Menace
under his silhouette.
Brent Strengthened up. pressed his
lips firmly together and handed the
telegram without word to Colonel
Dare.
"What do you get out Of this,
BrentT he CALCULATED.
"May ] inquire what the instructions
referred to are?"
you may, but how they reached
his ears Is unfathomable Numbered
the colonel, pacing up and down the
porch. Here are your orders, sealed y
He stopped before Brent and handed
49, ------ - ----------.