The Monticellonian., 1917-05-10

 grounds. he hastily reviewed, thanked and dismissed them. They rode eag- erly to the stables, surrounded at once by comrades asking a volley of ques- tions which they, knowing nothing, could not answer. Major Brent, turn ing his horse over 10 stableman, walked across the intervening space to the commandant's quarters. There he announced himself in the custo- mary way. \ moment later he pre- sented himself to Colonel Dare, who was closeted with Pearl and the Mor- mon army scout.
 He saw at once that something was wrong and fear chilled his heart. The scout slouehed away upon word from the colonel who sat at the command ants desk ignoring Brent, not even acknowledging his presence. His at tenion was fixed upon lady's visiting card II was Bertha's.
 Brent shot q swift glance at Pearl. Her back was turned toward him.
 He advanced irresolutely, exhibiting to them the evidence of the success of his undertaking,
 Presently the colonel lifted his eyes and soberly regarded Brent. Major" said he finally; T wish you would read this card before we proceed to hear your report"
 Brent stepped forward and took the card from the colonel. His frigid re- ception had schooled him for the un- expected and his eomposure was per feet. He read the words penciled thereupon. The eoloned and Pearl had their eyes fixed on him.
 ''These words are true, whoever the woman that wrote them may be-" said Brent, steadily, raising his eyes to theirs. For Miss Dareis sake I am very sorry indeed, and also for your own colonel. You both trusted the fellow implicitly"
 Both the colonel and his daughter turned and gazed at him curiously. Then Pearl, tinge of sarcasm in her voice. exclaimed:
 ''To whom do you refer? trust you more than any man on earth except father '
 q shall hold you to that" he re- sponded, gravely. For one foolish moment I was absurd enough to think that you. like the card, referred to the insufferable Adams"
 To his superior officer in a formal way he concluded:
 Adams, sir, I beg to report is a Granadian spy and Is still at large. There. however, are the Canal defense plans !" He deposited the document and also the belt on the desk and stood at attention.
 Chagrin and apology were written upon their faces. He smiled good hu- moredly.
 That night Major Brent and Miss Dare were dispatched to Washington with the recovered military paper. The president himself had telegraphed Pearl to accompany the major so that he might hear her story from her own lips.
 She started away with eounte- nance hiding a full and sorrowful | lehIl- 1oulu slle loHBtf ItIuse lO ht- cept the seemingly irrefutable evil dence of the guilt of Captain Payne with the discovery within his own army belt? She wondered whether, after all, the existence of a foreign alliance making of Payne their dupe was a myth, mental fantasy of her own. Furthermore, her dlsappoint- ment in the character of Adams was more personal than she cared to let herself believe. The man had got a strange hold upon her.
 And now again entered into the lives and careers of these two people that invisible evidence of dominat- | ing and controlling destiny so often l before in crucial moments revealed. Ere the train had proceeded many miles it was attacked and held-up while cross 1 ing the Rio Granada. The major was