The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1918-12-18
CHAPTER xl.

By evening the rush Of work had
died down, and the orderlies, save
those on duty, were given the custo-
mary leave.
Leave meant Etaples, with its COM
Portable little inn, the chatty landlady
and her pretty daughter.
| Mark strobe toward EtapleS. He
had an intense longing for the lights
and comfort Of the little inn. But he
had not gone more than hundred
PAGES when Hartley hailed him.
"Going into Etaples?" he asked. "Do
you mind my going with you?"
'Frankly, yes, Hartley" answered
Mark. "You won't mind my saying
so? I want to be alone after"
II know, old man." said Hartley,
drawing back. "Sorry If I bothered
you"
| But Mark swung round on him.
Hartley, answer me one question:" he
said. "What has Miss Howard ever
had to do with you? Why have you
been watching her for six or seven
years?"
Hartley began to walk along the
road at Marks side. He made curl
GUS gulping sound before he answered.
"Has it occurred to you, Mark, that
the Henson woman has been operating
in Washington for a good time now?"
he asked.
II suppose So" Mark answered.
"You know everything was prepared
for years before the war began. The
system had ramifications in every de-
partment of the government. You know
Colonel Howard was in touch with II
as far back as the Cuban warp
"Good Lord, yes, but"
sand man is only pawn in such
a game. Good God, don't question me
Markl I've been a tool Of hers, but
| I'll swear that never worked against
the government. I learned little BY
little Of the whole accursed nest OF
spies. obeyed their orders because
well, can't tell you now-but worked
against them too. I've done them more
harm than good. I had my motives
selfish ones, despicable, perhaps; but
was never traitor. Good God, Mark
haven't you seen how your faith in m,
has begun to make a man Of met"
Mark took Hartley's hand an,
gripped it. It was the best and tn,
only possible answer. In their tact
understanding they went on towar,
the inn together.
Outside the inn they saw an auto
with a soldier chauffeur in charge
Hartley gripped Marks arm.
"Do you know whose that ISL" h
q whispered. "Kellerman's!
The landlady came to the dool
, "Bonsoir, messieurs," she said smil
ing. 'This way tonight. if you please.
She led them round by the side, int
the kitchen, where they found half
dozen privates drinking light wine an
!; teasing the landlady's daughter as sh
served them.
There was nothing in this to tn
men; they were often turned out q
the dining room-parlor when officer
! put In an appearance. But-this wa
Kellerman! Mark looked at Hartle
1
! and saw intense excitement on his fac
which he was trying most evidently /
= restrain.
] He ordered beer Of Annette, and fo
lowed her toward the clubhouse
: which the liquor was stored. The eli
was a friend Of his, perhaps becaus
J. more serious than the rest, he treate
her with less badinage than was Gu
0 tomary among the soldiers. AS ST
moved out Of the lighted room into II
, shadows outside the merriment fe
a like a mask from her face.
y "What Is 1t. Annette3" asked Mar
J, .Ah. monsieur, it Is tragic!". said Il
girl. pausing at the clubhouse doc
n "She Is one Of my countrywomen. II