Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-05-18

afeard OF m-me and play into my
hands because o DIDN'T want me TO
squeal on You To Miss Dare. Amt
t-that it,"
There's another reason. To be can
did. You have the insufferable impu-
dcnce te be In love with Miss Oar
yourself. Was there ever "A more lu-
dicrous situation, The Silent Menace
posing as orderly 10 Colonel Dare. in
love with his daughter. or posing
there. teo. possibly. and using all of Us
as tools In his plot. give ii to you.
Adams" He laughed farcically.
"sNhy DIDN'T you shoot me. major?
There's a g-gun under your pillow,
amt there?"
The major reached under his pillow
and pulled out n revolver. "Tve got 4
mind IN do that" reflected Brent, ex-
amIning the loaded chambers. with u
quick flash of the eye ut his caller.
But he put the revolver away.
Adams chuckled. 1T amt d m-mat-
ter of nerve, Is il. major? You're no-not
quite sure about me. after all, are
your
I'm sure, but ] have no proof. When
| get that | intend To kill YOU. Adams"
Brent candidly stated.
For several seconds Adams silently
appraised Brent. All Of Il sudden he
became melancholy. There may
n-neyer be any proof Of anything. Ma
jor Brent" he rejoined In "A slow, muir
muring way. I've b-been thinking u
whole lot OF this fix you got yourself
in. l got a notion 10 help you out o-of
it,"
"You have. eh?"
Don't be s-sarcastic. I mean the
Fright kind of help. Don't forget that
| c-could send you TO that there same
~penitentiary you were ascending Payne
to-" insinuatingly.
Brent laughed outright. what
would the charge be? How could you
make IL without showing your hand
without u~nmasking yourself as the
Silent Menace? Even though you have
me under your control. you really
can't make a move against me pub
licly."
Then Adams gave Brent a great
start. Il c-could make a grease spot
out Of you without showing the hand
Of the Silent Menace" muttered
Adams. coldly.
Brent's hands stole In the direction
Of the revolver under his pillow. al
though he continued TO smile. Adams
had him covered in a second. Don't
git f-fidgety. Major. I'm downright
serious. ! amt g-goIng TO make any
:-grease spot out OF you because" his
voice trai.ed an instant-'because
you're going TO DIDO the decent thing"
(which isl" with a slight catch.
you're going 10 marry Miss Bier
tina Bonn. You're going 10 m-inarry
her now. You're going TO get up and
20 al-along with me and marry her."
He took from his inner Goa pocket a
long white envelope. o taking his eye
of Brent q moment, and referring To
1t. continued: "I've got your license
fright here. I've haG Ii several d'days.
It's regular and you'll be unmarried by
a regular preacher. tn be a regular
w-wedding, and IiE going to give you
a regular wedding p-present. There's
100000 coming to you o-out Of this,
Major Brent" He returned the Gu
yelope to his pocket and calmly wait
cd for Brent TO say something.
Brent. who did not move a muscle
while Adams spoke. at first thought
that he was INDUCING In the peculiar
kind Of humor expected OF him III any
Gradually ii dawned on him that the
man was not joking.
$50 that's your scheme" he blurted.
composure fast slipping away. You're
trying 10 force me to give up Miss
Dare by bribery because you want her
yourself, :"
"P-part OF II, major admitted
Adams. exhibiting a deeply stirred
emotional nature In voice ant eyes. Il
am in Hove with Miss Dare. I'm
going 10 g-get her If she'll let RE. But
that amt exactly w-why lin going to
marry you and Bertha BoEr together
and make o a little wedding gift.
You're going To be square la Bertha
Bonn a-ana I'm going to EelI YOU
along. That's all there Is ito that (;
and the things got to be done, major.
before l go to-to Panama. Or" "a
new idea striking hiil-"now that you
know w-wliat you're going to do ana
what I'm going To DIDO. mebbe we bet
ter put il o-off till | get back from
Panama"
"See here. Adams" cried Brent. now
leaping out Of bed anG confronting
his visitor. ''Thatll be about enough
Of that from you. If you don't get out
IF here in a hurry I'll throw you in the
guardhouse. I'm sick to death of this
bcastly affair. Another word anc I'll
tell all to Colonel Dare and take the
consequences"
4 pleased smile Illuminated the
c-ountcnance of the perfectly composed
ia sitting at the foot Of the bed. lie
put away his pipe and rose. Either
way Is q-quitc satisfactory. major"
said he. quietly. only you'll DIDO IL
Gy way. Think IL o-over." And with
that he returned the miniature locket