The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1919-01-31

wanted him to marry her, TO take her
away from the old scenes that they
I might have q chance TO redeem their
wretched lives together. He had prom
ised her that so many times-and the
worst of women is as wax in the hands
of the man she loves.
! But he had become infatuated with
another, with girl as much above him
as"
With cry that seemed hardly hui
man Colonel Howard sprang toward
| Kellerman, his fingers twitching as IL
/ he sought 10 faSten them about his
| throat. Mark caught him and held him,
while the old man swayed to and fro,
his outstretched arm extended toward
Kellerman as If in imprecation.
Eleanor, at Hartley's side, did not
even look toward them.
This woman, observation-disclosures
whatever you call her, came to France,
upon receipt of a message which had
cut her TO the heart, shown her the
hopelessness of her dreams, and taught
her that the one man in whom she had
believed was worthless clay. To do
her justice, let us suppose that. even
in her worst acts, she had been SuS-
| tanned by a sense of duty TO her coun-
try.
''She met her confederate in an inn
at Il village not far distant. Frantic
at her appearance, he induced her to
let him drive her back through the
lines, and on the way renewed his lying
promises. This time she doubted him.
1.-TWO men had overheard their con-
versation. One was Captain Wallace,
whom the pair had broken as they
broke poor Hampton. Him the traitor
had seen. and he devised scheme to
send him to the trenches and contrive
to have him sent on false and fatal
errand. With that point / shall not
now deal. The other man was Hamp-
ton, who had enlisted under an alias,
in the belief that he would obtain q
clue that would unmask the traitor. He
contrived to go back through the lines,
found the woman, and somehOw-per-
haps by Gods wonderful mercy-ob
tanned her signed confession-which
have here. in full !"
He wheeled upon Kellerman. MA
jor Kellerman," he said in deep voice
that vibrated almost with pity, so
charged with significance that its
meaning could not escape either How
ard or Mark, you are under arrest.
You Will go toward your quarters, first
removing your belt and arms"
Kellerman saluted weakly and STUN
bled out of the cave. The General
looked at Mark.
"The soldier Weston receives free
and full pardon for his valor in the
field this day." he said. He is also
discharged honorably from the service
of the United States government"
Mark looked at the general in as
constituent; this was the last thing
that he desired.
The General approached and clapped
him on the shoulder. Captain Wal
lace" he said. your written resigna-
ton from the United States army can
not be accepted, owing to the state of
war After the war 1t will receive con-
sideration. In the meantime you will
resume your duties on the headquar-
tiers staff
Tears rushed to Marks eyes. He
tried to speak, he was conscious that
the General and Howard were shaking
him by the hand; and then a quick
glance from Eleanor drew him to where
she kneeled by Hartley.
A single look showed him that the
man was dying.
Mark kneeled on one side of him.
with Eleanor facing him over the
stretcher. The bearers, who had fallen
back, stood still as images behind. And
behind them Mark had the dim con-
seriousness in the background of his
mind of Kellerman, broken as he had
broken so many, and fumbling, always
fumbling, now with his tunic, now
with the belt that he was trying to
detach with shaking fingers.
Hartley whispered Mark, hold
ing the dying mans hand in his. THAT
was you today missed you, but 1
believed in you. You saved me-
There was q fluttering pressure of
Marks hand In turn. Hampton was
speaking: he was asking for the Colo
mel.
II am here. Hampton" said Colonel
Howard In choked voice. as he
leaned over him.
you believe in me now, sir2" NUT
tered the dying man, rolling his head
uneasily in the effort to see.
May God forgive me, Hampton!
May she-your wife-forgive me. Tell
her that, and tell her her words came
true. / betrayed my best friend, and
I've suffered for it, and 1 shall suffer
to the last day of my life"
"She forgives you, Howard" said
Hampton, speaking now with such SOL
emnity that his words seemed to his
listeners to be inspired. ''There's-only
one thing-I want, Howard, old
man"
Yes. my dear boy-yes, Hampton"
Put my name-back on the mess
list" whispered Hampton.
Through his tears Mark was con-
scious that the interninable fumbling
outside the cave had ceased. As
Hampton fell back there came the sud-
den crack of revolver shot.
The Generals form blocked the en- |
trance as they raised their heads. Mark |
placed his hands across Eleanor's eyes |
and drew her away.
CHAPTER Xviii