The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1918-12-20
CHAPTER vii.

marx IuSlleu 10 the SLrccL ana IOunO
himself face to face with Eleanor.
She was coming out Of a store, and
going. evidently, toward the cab which
was waiting against the street curb.
They almost ran into each other.
Mark lifted his hat mechanically, and
thought she was about to pass, but
suddenly she took him by the arm,
and looked at him earnestly, extreme
concern upon her face.
whats the matter. Uncle Mark?"
she asked. you're il-you're. looking
fnghtfully ILL.,"
"Well, it's q pretty hot day." said
Marx.
Eyes, but You can stand heat, Uncle
Mark. You don't look ft to be around.
How long have you been i'll, and have
you been working all the time, and
why didn't you send for met"
I'm not Ill, Eleanor" said Mark,
trying to smile.
'AThen why haven't You been to see
usf Have you forgotten our talk that
nightf What's the reason? Tell mel"
"Your father keeps our noses to the
gr1ndstone, Eleanor"
THAT isn't true, and please don't
play with me rs II I were q child. Cap
tain Wallace. Come. get into this cab
at once! / am going to take you home
and have Mrs. Howard look after you
At once Oh, you are laughing"
It was rather . grim jest to Mark,
but It occurred to him that it would
help to ALLEVIATE Eleanor. She drew
away from him and looked at him with
those keen, scrutinizing Eyes that had
In some measure discounted him at
the Misses Harpers' school.
"Uncle Mark" she pleaded, do tell
me why you are acting 80 horribly
when l am only thinking OF you. It's
just the way you acted that other
night until we got to understand each
other. And tell me why you haven't
come to u.s."
"Well, Eleanor. the truth is" said
Mark, "the work at the Office has Just
about taken It al out Of me. And then,
In my position. Of course there are Wis
its that I must pay"
"Of course" said Eleanor IRON
ically. "Go on, Uncle Mark. I shall
see through you presently"
But I have been meaning to VISIT
you soon. Only, you know, l am not
In any sense your guardian now. and
20. Eleanor, IL you want me to be
frank, II II . little unreasonable OF
you to put forward my duties in that
respect when I have no compensa.
TONS"
She started. "You mean that you
didn't want to comet" she asked.
Il did want to. But ! have so many
duties
Thank you. That's quite enough,
Captain Wallace. Ny conduct In In
truding on such . busy man has been
quite ~inexcusable. Good day. Captain
Wallacel"
She made . hooking little bow and
went toward her cab. She stopped and
looked back. The brief anger waa
ended But Marx was already free
from that intolerable interview and
stumbling homeward.
ne let nlnnSeII IN, WTOIe OUT his e q
ignat1on, and mailed It.
A. he paced his room, pondering
the situation, II seemed to him
that the key to the mystery lay with
Hartley. Even yet he had not allowed
himself to believe kellerman q traitor.
But It was essential that he should
fnd Hartley, and insist upon q confess
sion, both Of his motives In watching
the Colonel's house, and Of those that
had brought him 70 the war depart
ment
Suddenly the telephone interrupted
his .meditationA A woman's voice ct
the other end was asking for him.
Are you quite sur you r Captain
Mark. Wallace1" It inquired. when 10
had stated his identity.
Il am - sure a. ! have wei been,s
answered Mark.
II Wallace receives 4 strange d.
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