Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-12-20

"Hey,Weston |" called his fellow or
derly from the door of the sterilizing
room; and then, seeing him with the |
sister, withdrew.
"You heard my manner" asked Mark |
II heard it, Captain Mark. Won't |
you tell me what 1t means, what it all
means?"
what it all meansT he repeated
vaguely, wondering ut the concern on
her face.
'Why you disappeared as you did
from Washington. l knew that you
had applied for leave of absence, be-
cause you had overworked in the hot
weather. But you never came
back" Her voice broke into q sob.
'The Colonel didn't think it strange.
! He wouldn't admit that there was any
| reason, except that you must have
; gone back TO your regiment Did you
/ and he quarrel, Captain Mark? It's
unthinkable. l could learn nothing
about you, but Major Kellerman had
said you were tired of the work and
might have got some appointment out
OF the service. Their tales were con-
hlcting. And you weren't on the army
list any more. Won't you tell me, just
because-you know-because-"
{; MarA ?ould hardly restrain his feel
Ing.
"rll tell you" said Mark, raising his
eyes. II was accused of treachery, of
betraying secrets to enemies of my
country"
Eleanor laughed in little, mirth-
less voice. You're still the same
Uncle Mark" she whispered. did you
think would belieYe that2"
'1t was not true" cried Mark, net
tied and desperate. But it was found
that frequented gambling houses"
you are so fond of money, Uncle
Mark -
~ wanted money. You were rich,
and wanted your esteem. 1 wanted
to move in your circles, to win your
favor, as others could"
She gasped and grew red; he saw
that his arrow had gone home, and
went on pitilessly.
"When I was at your reception you
had smiles for everyone"
That's enough, Captain Wallace y
she said, with an indrawn breath. "You
insulted me the last time we met, you
know, or probably have forgotten. l.
see that oil my thoughts of yor
were wrong. l was always a burden
, And when you didn't write so many
years, and when you didn't come tC
see me, thought-oh, I'll tell you now
, since you have humiliated me as deep
ly as 1t is possible to humiliate {
woman. l thought you stayed ava!
and kept away because you liked me
. and because you were afraid that
might come to care for you, and ruiz
= my prospects among the rich younl
Z officers. 1 thought It was u sort O
e absurd, misplaced, quixotic chivalry
Captain Wallace"
III Wallace was choking. So she ha,
knownl
But he had won his miserable game
as he realized from her next words:
I ''It was foolish idea, Captain Wa
| lace, and now I've given 1t up, and
y know that men aren't so idealistic an
i chlvalrous as 1 have imagined then
But"-she bent forward-'I don't be
e lleve you are traitor, Captain Mark !
M And over her head Mark saw the ta
Y figure of Kellerman in the doorway.
The recognition was mutual and IL
= stantaneous. Kellerman's surprise we
M changing into a sneerlng challeng
Y when Eleanor turned, saw the new
\ conner, and, with a superb effort {
4 will, smiled at him.
ri $50 l see you got here. Sister How
!, ard" said KellermAn, with a force
4 laugh.
i "Just in time" answered the gir
i 'Have you come to order us all up
! the trenchesT"
! 'Some Of you. but not the ladie
No. I'm attending the General on h
III tour of inspection of the lines"
I The talk grew indistinct as the
! drifted away. Mark. staring aft
; them in stupor, saw Kellerman NJ
z toward him, and fancied that the gi
= mnde n gesture of pleading.
= Neither had noticed him. He refleC
cd savagely that already Eleanor WI
coming to take his status for granite
as the other sisters did.