Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-06-01

terest. Brent uts Ejaculation
indicative of keen disappointment in
which Bertha Bonn shared.
'Why have you not made this con
fession before?" inquired the judge ad-
vocate-general not without u little awe
Of this man.
Because. judge, because" q vein
Of melancholy tinged his voice, Il
gave my word to the nan who died In
my arms a-at the railroad wreck that
l w-wOuld git at the bottom of this
here Silent Menace b-business. 1t was
due him, Judge" And after some hes
itation: 1T was due Captain Payne,
judge"
"Payne!" murmured half a dozen
voices. including that Of the presid-
ing officer.
1T was due him and m-me," the
witness. reiterated, duly.
For several moments the court was
completely f~abbergasted.
did Miss Bertha Bonn know this?"
the judge acknowledgement asked, pull
ing himself together. determined TO
bring the case to n speedy end.
"No. sir" Adams broke into n lit
tie laugh. Miss Bertha Bonn thinks
that I'm 1.-THE Silent Menace. So does
Major Brent, ~p-probably for the same
reason"
But you are not the Silent Men,
acef"
II certainly a-am not"
"Nor Is Major Brent?"
"He certainly a-ain't!"
Then again his auditors held their
breath. "Who Is the Silent Menace,
Adamsi"
Adams looked at the judge advo-
c~ate-general with the candor Of a child.
Il don't exactly know, judge, b-but /
got a notion. / don't w-want 10 do
no one any harm and 10y that you
know s-something about me. / reckon
you can trust me a little m-more. can't
you? / g-got an idea that we can bag
the man we van before m-morning.
If you give me enough r-rope.'
This utterance. delivered In a mild
and wholly undramatic manner
brought every person 10 their senses.
"Wheref" demanded the judge.
Here in Washington"
The judge acknowledgement hastily
excused Adams and requested Major
Brent to rise. mot guilty" he de-
creed with a pleasant nod TO the re-
lieved officer.
Brent turned impulsively 10 the chief
OF staff. General" he exclaimed. enc
tionally. II desire here and now to
tender my resignation in the sincere
feeling that l have dishonored the
service which has so honored me!'
Tut. tut, Major Brent" b~rusquely
returned the gray-haired ranking Of
ticer. The circumstances are extern
uating. sir. You will be all the better
soldier after this. Don't talk tommy
rot when the thing for you TO do Is 10
20 look up a minister Of the gospel
he concluded with n shrewd twinkle
and a wav Of the hand toward blush
ing Bertha Bonn who with Pearl Dare
aud her father had joined the group
and were laughing at the discounted
officer.
Brent saluting. flashed a merry lcok
upon them all. took Bertha's arm and
paraded her out of the room. There
was no question but that the generals
suggestion would be Immediately
adopted.
Adams now stepped up 10 Colonel
Dare. Il g-guess my resignation goes,
colonel. e if 1.-THE majors don't"
he drawled, rather soberly for Adams.
A slight constraint fell among his
hearers. Ii was broken by the chief
Of staff chuckling To himself: Who
ever heard Of a private resigning!'
That's a subject for future discus
sion. Adams" ~rejoined the colonel, Of
~iiciuusly. with n side glance 1T his
daughter standing nervously a little
apart. Meanwhile you will take Miss
Dare home. After that you may be
free ms long as you wish"
Adams touched his hat and politely
Saluted Miss Dare.
al am ready" said she in a queer
voice az though she were addressing
a stranger for the first time.
The colonel and his companions
In silence watched them depart. If
he weren't so Internally ignorant ~
groaned the colonel. vOicing a common
sentiment. "But he's oil there. gentle
men,. He's all mani"
Pearl ana Adams stood n moment
on the War building steps before de-
sccnding to the street. liz was nearly
dusk. The street was full of people
homeward bound after a hot and
sultry day in office and store.
"Shall | c-call a taxif" Adams in.
CURED. Ill at Ease alone with her.
"One moment. please" Pearl mo-
toned him to step aside out Of the
line Of people passing In and out Of
the building. Now that she was alone
with Adams her reserve rapidly melt
ed, although the disclosures of the
past hour still troubled her.
You must tell me the truth. for
my own peace of mind-and yours.
our future Is at stake. There are still
several unanswered questions"
"Name them. g-girl." he requested
trying TO be calm under her piercing
eve. vet inwardly quaking.