Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-05-24
Story 0Hme,7cu
First" Unm0sklng
Ame,7Iu,s Secret Foes
MorshzeI From tie Motion RcsSre
Sy1a/ Of Me Same Name
Released BY PahAe. :
csvs& no 1e~ kc--s

DO You see In miner
Brent turned his gaze elsewhere.
shadows" he confessed In a humble.
He fumbled In q pocket and produced
her locket.
This little thing has caused a lot Of
trouble to a number Of people," he
unused aloud.
at 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
II l were to return 1t 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 ! have enter
tainedf'
II would hand Il back to you. Thorn
ton" whispered Bertha with feeling.
Brent laughed resignediy.
knowing that all my chances In that
direction are gomez"
knowing that IL Miss Dare loves
anyone except Capt. Ralph Payne In
memory. that one Is not you and that
you really never had u chance"
THAT one being-AdamsT"
Bertha nodded. Adams"
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 unhappiness7 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 q
change Of heart and motive and she
did not hesitate. II no longer seek to
harm you. Thornton. and I 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 W will not be easy. For
this reason I have held my tongue"
shield me? From whatf"
'From irregular conduct in an army
oficer-the sort that sends men to the
p~enitentiary 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 q sudden he experienced a reckless
impulse to hurry that time and he
thought Of the marriage license.
Bertha! !" He grasped her hand and
continued In n tense whisper: "What
do you know about a marriage license
for you and for met"
Bertha smiled family. adams gave
Il to me-"
"And about q wedding giftT"
She smiled again. "He told me about
that. too"
| They gazed axedly in each others
eyes.
"Will you marry me, Bertha? / will
Nctsh OtAotC ~ 40 wv ~
Bertha freed herself and slowly
shook her head. 81 will marry you.
Thornton, but only after you have re-
deemed yourself-before II Is too late"
He clenched his fists and groaned
aloud. Tell me howl Help mer
In common accord they rose and
stood face to face. "Unmask Adams.
I will stand by you'll Do 1t al once. to-
night. In the presence Of Miss Dare
and the colonel"
Brent's eyes flashed with determine
ton. "T1l do 1t he cried, sharply. for
getful for the moment OF time and
place, clasplng her hands once more
"Do what, majorf" doomed the voice
Of Colonel Dare out OF the darkness;
and at the same moment he appeared
on the walk accompanied by q tele-
graph messenger boy.
Bertha. motioning the major to be
silent, ran toward the colonel and re-
piled In his stead. "Aiajor Brent Just
concluded to look you up. Miss Dare
and Adams have not yet come home"
A look Of concern filtered over the
features Of the colonel. Here's a boy
with a telegram. major. I'm glad
you're here for I heve something of
importance to say" he stated. gravely.
Brent took the telegram and hastily
scrawling his receipt, dismissed the
boy who hurried away. With a side
long glance ut Bertha. he broke the
seal, the colonel looking on impatIently.
Pearl Dare and Orderly Adams are my
prisoners. They will remain SO until ]
have accomplished my purpose II you
follow Colonel Dare's Instructions you al
so will become my victim. I forewarn
you.
1t was signed by the Silent Menace
under his silhouette.
Brent Strengthened up. pressed his.
lips firmly together and handed the,
telegram without q word to Colonel
Dare.
"What do you get out Of this,
Brent?" he calculated.
MAY l inquire what the instructions
referred to arei"
"You may, but how they reached
his ears Is unfathomable!" Numbered
the colonel. pacing up and down the
porch. "Here are your orders. sealed 7"
He stopped before Brent and handed