Macon beacon., 1917-02-09

tndt Sne lelt Sa1e Kr0m narm IN MS
care.
But Adams did not share her good
opinion Of Major Brent. An incident
he saw during their flight from the
Paso del Norte came to his mind dur
ing the lonely vigil now beginning.
1t occurred after they had forded
the Rio Granada and were climbing
up the slope on the other side. The
invaders on American soil were being
routed, separating into groups and
scattering in various angles, pursued
by the relentless I. S. cavalry splen-
didly disciplined. A detachment under
Major Brent was engaged in a bril-
liant clash with Bolero. The valorous
major was putting up superb fight,
not sparing himself or reckoning the
risk and was in fair way to exter-
inmate the notorious border menace,
when he veered in his saddle and his
horse began to rear and pitch. This
lost for the doughty officer the rare
opportunity of dispatching Bolero with
the sure shot of which he was capable
and brought half dozen of the erst-
while generals rogues upon his back.
Adams, surprised, looked for and
found the cause of Brent's denoue-
ment. There were two prisoners in
Bolero's party. One was Pearl Dare's
chauffeur, Toxic. The other was Ber-
tina Bonn. Brent, to whom the girl
beckoned, ignored her plight, turned
and dashed away. Adams experienced
then as he did now, before the dying
fire, deep contempt for the major
and sense of pity for the girl. He
rose and replenished the fire.
He became nervous and agitated.
He opened the tent flap, peeped inside
and partly entered. Pearl was sound
asleep. He took the belt from her,
closed the flap and stole away.
Pearl had a horrible dream that
night. 1t pertained to a grotesque
shadow which crept to the tent while
she slept and substituted for the belt
Of Captain Payne new one of simi-
lar design. When she awoke from this
miracle of slumber she found that her
dream had come true and a missive
fastened in the new belt buckle. 1t
was signed by T. O. Adams of Monks
Corner, Nebraska, and his words were:
''FORGIVE AND FORGET ME-"
Adams had departed.
Meanwhile, in the overnight camp
pitched by Bolero's retreating raiders,
the two captives were kept under
close surveillance.
They were not roughly treated. In
fact Bolero tried to make them feel
as though they were honored guests
forced for time to accept his hQspi-
tality. Neither however, was deceived
by him. Both knew that escape was
impossible and that the guerilla chief
tain could afford to be magnanimous.
Bertha Bonn in a woman's way,
quickly OWNED ulterior motives in the
man. She bridled under his insinuating
eye, but said nothing. Nor was her
companion Toxic unobservant.
They were seated in a niche in the
rocks too uncertain of everything to
think Of sleep, when Toxic suddenly
spoke:
poor Miss Dare! But maybe she
escape" Then he smiled a little. II
forgot" he concluded; you no like
Miss Dare"
"Why don't like herr" she interro-
gated, marvelling.
II have eyes. see much-and far
silently. 1t is the nature of my race.
I'know nothing for why should Toxic
know anything. | not like Major
Brent. l very sorry that Miss Dare
does like him."
She shot swift glance at this IL
Illuminating fellow sitting quietly be-
side her. Perhaps you see too much,"
she intlmated, sarcastically. "A little
less mystery and more candor sn
your part, please! What reason nave
you to even suspect an acquaintance
between Major Brent and myself?'
"You were In Major Brent's room
that night at the Hotel Wilton" he
proceeded, inscrutably, looking at her
wrists. "No marks on your arms now.
The major, he didn't get locket, did
he"
Il don't know what you're talking
about" she mumbled, incoherently. A
sudden fear of this discerning and un-
fathOmable foreigner possessed her.
She wondered how much more he
knew.
"You tell me to speak out" he went
on, imperturbably. II speak out. You
put the locket in hotel vault that night,
eh? hope that Its secret will keep
Major Brent from marrying my mis-
tress."
"Then you don't know the secret In
side Of the locketT
He looked at her open-eyed. "No.
What is it?"
She sighed in infinite relief. "Yet
you associate 1t with Major Brent,
Miss Dare and myself?"
"An orderly-my friend-with the
chief Of general staff he tell me what
he saw at Major Brent's room that
night" said Toxic, simply.
She looked at him in the superior
WAY assumed by q lady when over.