Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-12-19

stances" went ON Mrs. Henson. 81
suppose you know that the world has
changed a good deal during your fif-
teen years OF exile7 Well. this war.
for example. It's a shocking rever-
sion to barbarism, the nations flying
at each others threats, when their diff
ficulties could have been adjusted by
a little frank diplomacy. It was a great
blow to the financial interests that are
working to reconcile the nations and
to develop the worlds resources. They
would do all possible to end it. am
working for them here. I am not tell
ing you any secret. Captain Wallace,
because everybody in Washington
knows it. I represent the interna-
tional peace committee. and I have
quite q good deal of influence among
the senator's and representatives
principally the Western ones, Cap
tain.''
The frankness and audacity Of the
disclosure astounded Mark. So this
was one center of ''they," as Colonel
Howard had called the nucleus of Teu-
tonic spies and agents in America.
eve are trying our hardest to pre-
vent America from being dragged into
this maelstrom," continued Mrs. Ken
son. "You, Captain Wallace, were I'M
fortunate enough to be working on the
other side. And-Tm sorry, but a little
trap was laid for you and Kellerman.
You walked right into it. Major Kel-
lerman, who is very good friend of
mine, acted in complete good faith.
Don't blame him. Don't blame your
self. Don't blame that wretched fell
low who came here the other night
to blackmail me. 1t was inevitable.
You see, when you adopted Hampton's
daughter ye,v unconsciOusly put a sort
of moose about your neck. There was
the possibility of your coming into con-
tact with Hampton's friends. The sys-
tenn is widespread, you know. and quite
twenty years old. So-you had to go
west.
Snow, Captain Wallace, I'm a frank
woman, and TIL put my proposition to
you. You don't want to see Major
Kellerman walk of with that pretty
ward of yours, do you? And you can't
marry her without a little money.
Well, you could be very useful to us
in many ways. Would you. without
sacrificing your patriotism or revealing
any secrets, become a salaried worker
of our organization
Mark stood up, trembling. "Edon't
quite understand" he said huskily !;
and the picture Of Eleanor In Keller
mans arms ut the dance swan before
his eyes ssWhat is 1t you want me to
do7''
use your influence and army knowl-
edge In our behalf. That little affair
of today will soon be forgotten. And
we'll help you to put Kellerman out
of business"
"You ask me to become a German
spy7"
Don't be absurd. my dear captain
Who ever suggested such a thing?
that's what it amounts to-"
"a little influence ON behalf Of hui
mainly"
"Nol. shouted Mark, quite beside
himself you're Infamous. You ought
to be put out of the countryr
He strobe Indignantly toward the
door.
The electric light In the passage had
gone out. The room grew dark behind
him. He groped his way toward the
door.
Suddenly q vivid light flashed before
his eyes. He heard, though he felt no
pain. the Impact OF q hard weapon
upon the back Of his head. He flung
out his hands and grnppled with n
man. In the uplifted hand he felt q
heavy stick With = knobbed handle.
He believed his assailant to be KEEL
herman, and, half unconscious as he
was. he fought madly. But the man.
Kellerman or not, was more than q
match for him. For . few moments