The Adair County news., 1918-11-27

through, though you've never known
1 did. You've ruined your life by
your silly silences. You seem to like
to be misunderstood. You like things
to go wrong with you, so that you can
suffer undeservingly. But it isn't he
roical of you, Captain Mark. It's stub
born and wrong, and, where others
are concerned, it's criminal. Where
others are concerned-others who love
you, Captain Mark!'
She spoke with intense passion, but,
when she ended, she put her arms
quietly about his neck. "Ten the Colo
mel, Captain, Mark, because of me, ~
she said.
'There's nothing to tell, my dear
said Mark, cropping for the words thai
would not come. Il struck him be-
cause he"
And he could say nothing. OF Kel-
lerman's blow outside the inn, of his
false offer of friendship, of the treach.
cry that had risked three lives that
Mark might die on a false Grand
nothing! And, If he had been able to
speak, he could not have told. Yet he
was ignorant of the inhibitory process
that now, as always, held him in
silence.
But Eleanor chung to him. "Yes
Captain Mark. Because he"
"He sent three of US out to rescue a
wounded man unnecessarily" said
Mark lamely.
He saw spasm pass over Towards
face. This was worse than Howard
could have believed. The Colonel was
shaken; his faith was strong, but he
was one of those who accept the obvi.
GUS.
listen, Captain Mark !" said Flea.
nor, speaking as if to a baby. "That
isn't what you wanted to say. You had
no thought of criticizing your superior
officer, even If you thought him wrong
That isn't what you meant. Perhaps
he'll tell me, fatherl Stand back a lit
tie. Now, whisper it, Captain Mark =
But in the shelter of Eleanor's arms
Mark felt altogether at peace. What
did it matter, all this of long ago?
"Are you going to marry Kellerman
Eleanor?" he asked.
Very softly, in the obscurity, he fell
her shake her head. And the actor
had precisely the opposite effect Of
what Eleanor had intended.
For nothing mattered any more, moth
ing at all. He couldn't find excuses
Mark Wallace had never excused him
self in his life.
Eleanor drew herself out of his arms
and looked at him. He looked from
her face to the Colonels. Why were
they worrying him? How could Q
hope to save his life by going into the
obscure details and explanations that
they required of him?
And what a long rigmarole, begin
ming back in the war Department.
Mark could not string a case together /;
his mind was not constructed in that
fashion.
Eleanor laid her hand on his arm.
Captain Mark-don't you see that
every moment is torture to us?" she
asked.
There was terrible intensity in her
tone, as if she were holding herself
rigidly in restraint, for fear that she
would fail should she yield to her emo
ton.
Il struck him." stammered Mark. ST
told you why. 1 thought he was wrong
to risk those Gves-I-"
The look upon each face seemed to
be frozen there; it was as if their lives
and not Marks, hung upon his words.
Suddenly a shrek pierced the sky,
cutting off Marks speech, and a shell
burst somewhere by with a shattering
defamation, followed by the dull boom
of a distant gun. The Colonel started,
and then resumed his gaze.
1t seemed to Mark as if that was an
eternity of torture. He struggled in
his mind desperately to find words to
say when the noise subsidized.
But there came a stunning sound
that seemed to split his ear-drums. He
fell forward, and felt as if some one
had lifted him; looked out into dark
ness, sought Eleanor and knew moth
ing.