Gilpin observer., 1917-04-19

smiling confession from the witness.
/ 1t was out at last! A sigh of relief
escaped from one and all. Pearl Dare
gazed upon her acknowledged lover in
a totally new and not unpleasant in
terest. Brent uttered an 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 little awe
of this man.
Because. Judge, because" vein
OF melancholy tinged his voice, IL
gave my word to the man who died in
my arms a-at the railroad wreck that
w-would git at the bottom of this
here Silent Menace b-business. 1t was
due him, judge" And after some hes
itation: ut was due Captain Payne,
judge"
Payne" murmured half a dozen
voices. including that Of the presid-
ing officer.
ut was due him and m-me," the
witness, reiterated, duly.
| For several moments the court was
completely flabbergasted.
ibid Miss Bertha Bonn know this 2"
the Judge acknowledgement asked, pull
Ing himself together, determined to
bring the case to speedy end.
"No, SIR" Adams broke into a lit
tie laugh. Miss Bertha Bonn thinks
that I'm t-the Silent Menace. So does
Major Brent, p-probably for the same
reason"
But you are not the Silent Men
ace?"
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,
AdamsW
Adams looked at the Judge advo-
cate-general with the candor Of child.
Il don't exactly know, judge, b-but 1
got a notion. I don't w-want to do
no one any harm and now that you
know s-something about me, I reckon
you can trust me little m-more, can't
you? g-got 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 undramatic 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 guiltyr he de-
creed with a pleasant nod to the re-
lieved officer.
Brent turned impulsively to the chief
of staff. General |" he exclaimed, enc
tionally. II desire here and now to
tender my resignation in the sincere
feeling that 1 have dlshonored the
service which has so honored mel"
"Tut, tut, Major Brent!" brusquely
returned the gray-haired ranking Of
ficer. "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 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 q 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. Il g-guess my resignation goes,
colonel, even If t-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 chuckling to himself: "Who-
ever heard Of a private resigning!"
THAT'S subject for future discus
sion, Adams" rejoined the colonel, Of
ficiously, with a side glance at his
daughter standing nervously q 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
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, voiclng common
sentiment. But he's all there, gentle
men. He's all mani"
Pearl and Adams stood a moment
on the War building steps before de-
scendlng to the street, It was nearly