Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-05-07
"Bride of Battle"
a ROMANCE OF THE AMERICAN ARMY
FIGHTING ON THE BATTLE
FIELDS OF FRANCE
by VICTOR ROUSSEAU
Copyright by W. &. Chapman.

As he paced his room, ponderine
over the situation. it seemed to him
that the key to the mystery lay with
Hartley. Even yet he had not allowed
himself to believe Kellerman traitor
But 1t was essential that he should
find Hartley. and insist upon confes'
sion, both of his motives in watching
the colonel's house. and OF those that
had brought him to the war depart
ment.
Suddenly the telephone interrupted
his meditations. A woman's voice al
the other end was asking for him.
Are you quite sure you are Captain
Mark Wallacc?" it inquired, when he
had stated his identity.
81 am as sure as have ever been.
answered Mark.
"Ah, now | recognize you," said the
strange voice In a merry ripple oi
laughter. "And YOU don't know who
am?"
"lf YOU will state your name" be-
gan Mark patiently.
Someone who knows that you are
in trouble and wants to help you. I'm
afraid you won't let me. You seemed
to be- prejudiccd against me when we
met before. Well, am Ada kenson.
Mark uttered an angry explanation
which he instantly checked. ThiS
might prove the key that nc was seek
ing.
What was that you said?" inquired
the voice.
Il beg your pardon. What Is it that
YOU want me to do?" asked Mark.
Come to my house at nine o'clock
tonight, unless you are AFRAID. lou
will meet nobody but me-"
II had been in Marks mind to look
for Hartley in that neighborhood.
What do you say. Captain Wal
lace? can help you very much in
deed. and perhaps put things right Tor
YOU. l am in a position to know
good deal of what is happening be-
hind the scenes"
Mark felt his brain grow as cool as
ice. "rll come, Mrs. Kenson," he an
swered crisply. and hung up the re-
ceiver.
He consoled himself with the refiec-
ton that he had. at least, nothing TO
lose. He waited calmly for the ap-
pointment. and arrived outside the
house rorrrssiiy: there was no sign
of Hartley in the neighborhood.
At his ring. Mrs. Kenson herself
opened the door. smiled. and showed
him into q we'll furnished little parlor'
The house seemed to contain nobody
else. If Mrs. Kcnson's place was. as
Hartley had said, one OF the fashion
able gambling houses OF Washington
there was nothing to reveal the iar''
And beyond the fact that their for
mer meeting had been n distinctly un-
pleasant one, there was nothing IN
Mrs. Kenson's appearance to arouse
antaronism. She seemed a wcll-bred'
rather attractive woman approaching
middle age, quietly dressed. and OF
quiet, If cosmopolitan manner.
"Sit down. Captain Wallace sh"
said, indicating a chair.
Mark hesitated: Mrs. Henson noted
his hesitation instantly. and he was
conscious Of It. There was the trace
of a lurking smile upon her face. a
moment later they were both seated
and Mark was realizing that he would
have to revise his opinions of his COM
panion.
you'll wonder who I am and why
I asked you to come here" said Mrs.
Kenson. well, l happen to know
quite a good deal about you. Captain
Wallace. All your history. In fact
from the time you entered West
Point. It Is part Of my business 10
know these things"
Mark bowed and waited. expecting
something sensational. He was aston
ishcd beyond his expectation. howev-
er, by Mrs. Kenson's next words.
your long and distasteful stay in
the west. Captain Wallace, was not
wholly the fortune Of the military
service" she said. at was eXpedient
that YOU should stay there. on account
of your unfortunate mistake In adopt
ing the late Charles Hampton's child.
Mark rose in protest, collected HIM
self, and sat down again.
"In fact, dear Captain Wallace. you
have been the victim Of circum-
stances" went on Mrs. kenson. 81
suppose YOU know that the world has
changed q good deal during your M
teen years of exile? Well. this war
for example. It's shocking rever-
sion to barbarism. the nations flying
at each others throats, when their dif-
ficulties could have been adjusted by
a little frank diplomacy. II 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 1t. | am
working for them here. l am not tell
ing YOU any secret. Captain Wallace
because everybody in Washington
knows 1t. represent the interna-
tional peace committee, and have
quite a good deal Of influence among
the senators and representative
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.
I'VE are trying our hardest to pre-
vent America from being dragged into
this maelstrom." continued Mrs. Ken
son. You, Captain Wallace, were un-
fortunate enough to be working on the
other side. And-rm sorry. but little
trap was laid for you and Kellerman.
You walked right into 1t. Major kel-
lerman. who Is q very good friend OF
mine acted in complete good faith.
Don't blame him. Don't blame your
self. Don't blame that wretched fel-