The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-07-05

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escaped from one and all. Pear! Dare
gazed upon her acknowledged lover in
totally new and not unpleasant in
terest Brent uttered an ejaculation
4 indicative Of keen disappointment in
which Bertha Bonn shared
"Why have you not made this con-
/ fesSion bcfore?' inquired the Judge adj
vocate-seneral not without little awe
4 of this man.
because, judge. because" a vein
of melancholy tinged his voice, Il
gave my word to the man who died in
my arms a-at the railroad wreck that
i w-would git ut the bottom of this
here Silent Menace b-business. 1t was
due him, Judge" And after some hes
itatien: 1T was due Captain Payne
Judge
"Payne!' murmured half 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 tlabbergasted.
the judge acknowledgement asked, pull
ing himself together, determined to
bring the ease To speedy end.
No sir. = Adams broke into a 1T
tie laugh. Miss Bertha Bonn thinks
that I'm t-the Silent Menace. SO does
Major Brent, p-rrobaby for the same
reason"
.,tl4t -, ar, ,,o+ tho Silant Mon
ace?7
Il 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,
Adams?'
Adams looked at the judge adyo-
cate-general with the candor of child.
4 don't exactly know, judge b-but l
got notion. | don't w-want to do
no one any harm and now that you
know s-something about me, | reckon
yen can trust me little m-more, can't
YOU? l ggot an idea that we can bag
the man We want before m-morning,
if you give me enough r-rope
This utterance, delivered in a mild
and wholly undramatie manner,
brought every person to their senses.
''Where?' demanded the judge.
Here in Washington"
The judge acknowledgement hastily
excused Adams and requested Major
Brent to rise. Not guilty." he de-
creed with a pleasant nod TO the re-
lieved officer.
Brent turned impulsiyely to the chief
of staff. General = he exclaimed, enc
tionally. Il desire here aud now 10
tender my resignation in the sincere
feeling that | have dishenored the
service which has so honored met
Tut, tut. Major Brent, - brusquely
returned the gray-haired ranking Of
feer. 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 to
go look up minister of the gospel
he concluded with shrewd twinkle
and a wave of the hand toward blush
ing Bertha Bonn who with Pearl Dare
and her father had Joined the group
and were laughing at the discounted
officer.
Brent saluting, flashed a merry look
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 to Colonel
Dare. II g-guess my resignation goes,
colonel, even If 1.-THE majors don't"
he drawled, rather soberly for Adams.
A slight constraint fell among his
hearers. 1t was broken by the chief
of staff chuekling to himself: "Who-
ever heard of a private resigning ~
That's a subject for future discus
sion, Adams" rejoined the colonel, of
ficiously, with side glance at his
daughter standing nervously a little
apart. Meanwhile you will take Miss
Dare home. After that you may be
free as long as you WISH"
Adams touched his hat and politely
saluted Miss Dare.
Il am ready" said she in a queer
voice as though she were addressing
n stranger for the first time.
The colonel and his companions
in silence watched them depart. "If
he weren't so internally ignorant!n
groaned the colonel, voleing a common
sentiment. but he's all there, gentle
men. He's all mani"
Pearl and Adams stood moment
on the War building steps before de-
seending to the street 1t was nearly
dusk The street was full of people
homeward bound after hot and
sultry day in Office and store.
"Shall l e-call taXi?' Adams in
CURED, i'll at ease alone with her.
zone 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
eye, yet inwardly quaking.
THAT night on the Granadian from
tier-was it you or was 1t Major Brent
with whom Toxic fought and thought
to be the Silent Menace?"
asIt Put