The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1917-08-16
II Story Of Hme,7ca
First" UnmaSking
Amey7ca'S Secret Foes
NovehiSed From tie Mohos Pcfgye
SERIAL of rte Same Name
Released BY Parhe
o.~Sss No ke~ Ese..-s


her locket.
This little thing has caused lot of
trouble to a number, of people, he
unused aloud.
"It should be destroyed" was her
startling suggestion.
perhaps 1t can be turned to good
account and some of the wrong be I'M
done" he continued, without looking
up.
Bertha said nothing in response to
that.
What would you do with this locket
if l were to return it TO your Brent
suddenly asked. would you show ii
to Miss Dare as you originally intended
and thus interrupt forever the hope of
marrying her which L have enter
tained?"
Il would hand it back to you, Thorn
ton" whispered Bertha with feeling.
Brent laughed resignedly.
knowing that all my chances in that
direction are gomez?
"Knowing that if Miss Dare loves
anyone except Capt. Ralph Payne in
memory, that one is not you and that
you really never had chance"
'That one being-Adams?"
Bertha nodded. adams"
1.-THE Silent Menace"
She nodded again. THE Silent
Menace"
And you would let her marry him,
superfiend that he is, the country's en-
envy and ours, responsible for Payne's
trouble and her unhappiness? You
would do that TO revenge yourself on
meT' He looked at her strangely and
waited for her reply.
1t was Bertha's chance TO admit a
change of heart and motive and she
did not hesitate. IL no longer seek to
harm you, Thornton, and would glad
ly give my life to Miss Dare. The ST.
lent Menace shall never marry her
Yet to prevent that tragedy and at the
same time shield you by any confess
sion of my own will not be easy. For
this reason l have held my tongue
"Shield me? From whatT
From irregular conduct in an army
officer-the sort that sends men to the
penitentiary for life"
Brent shuddered. He knew that she
spoke truly. He had erred grievously
in the performance of duty. And the
time was fast approaching when con
sequences would have to be faced. All
of sudden he experienced reckless
impulse to hurry that time and he
thought of the marriage license.
Bertha Z" He grasped her hand and
continued in a tense whisper: "What
do you know about marriage license
for you and for me?"
Bertha smiled family. adams gave
it to me-"
"And about wedding gift?"
She smiled again. HE told me about
that, too"
They gazed fixedly in each other:
eyes.
"Will you marry me, Bertha? / viii
resign before it is too late"
Bertha freed herself and slowly
shook her head. Il will marry you
Thornton, but only after you have re
deemed yourself-before 1t is too late
He clenched his fists and groaneC
aloud. "Tell me how! Help me-"
In common accord they rose ant
stood face to face. "Umask Adams
l will stand by you Do it at once, to
night, in the presence of Miss Dare
and the colonell"
a, 81 Hafn linz
ton. "Fll do it !" he cried, sharply, for
| getful for the moment of time anC
place, clasping her hands once more
do what, major?" loomed the voice
of Colonel Dare out of the darkness
and at the same moment he appeared
on the walk accompanied by tele
| graph messenger boy.
Bertha, motioning the major to b.
silent, ran toward the colonel and re
piled In his stead. major Brent jus
concluded to look you up. Miss Dar'
and Adams have not yet come home.
A look of concern filtered over tn
features of the colonel. Here's bO,
with telegram, major. I'm gla'
you're here for l have something o
importance to say" he stated, gravely
Brent took the telegram and hastil
scrawling his receipt, dismissed tn
boy who hurried away. With a side
long glance at Bertha, he broke tn
seal, the colonel looking on impatiently
Pearl Dare and Orderly Adams are m
prisoners. They will remain so until
have accomplished my purpose. IL 20
I follow Colonel Dare's instructions you a.
so will become my victim. l forewar
you.
It was signed by the Silent Menac
under his silhouette.
Brent Strengthened up, pressed hi
lips firmly together and handed tn
telegram without a word TO Colon,
Dare.
"what do you get out Of this
} BrentT he calculated.
MAY inquire what the instruction
. referred to aref"
"You may, but how they reache
his ears Is unfathomable ~ thundere
} the colonel, pacing up and down tn