The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1919-01-18
CHAPTER VII.

Sne was coming out OF II store, hnd
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.
"Whnt's the matter, Uncle Mark?"
she asked "You're lll--you're looking
frlghtfully H."
"Wcll, It's pretty hot day" said
Maik.
"Yes, but you can stand heat, Uncle
Mark. You don't look at to be around.
How hong have you been Ill., and have
you been working all the time, and
why didn't you send for me?"
I'm not Ill, Eleanor" said Mark,
trying 10 smile.
"rhen why haven't you been TO see
usf- Have you forgotten our tnlk that
mighty Whats the renson2 Tell mel I"
"Your father keeps our noses to the
grlndstone. Eleanor
"That isn't true, and please don't
play with me as IL were child, Cap.
tain Wallace. Come. get into this cab
nj once i am going to take you home
and have Mrs. Howard look after you
at once. Oh. you are laughlngW
II was rather grim Jest TO Mark,
but II occurred TO him that Il would
help 10 ALLEVIATE Eleanor. She drew
away from him and looked AT him with
those keen, scrutlnlzing eyes that had
In some measure discounted him at
the Misses Harpers school.
"uncle Mnrk," she pleaded, "do tell
me why you are acting SO horribly
when ann only thinking OF you. It's
Just the way you acted that other
night until we got 20 understand each
other. And tell me why you haven't
come 10 us."
well, Eleanor, the truth is said
Mark. "the work at the Office mas Just
about taken II all out of me. Ana then,
In my position, of course there are Wis.
It's that 1 must pay"
"Of course" said Eleanor iron
icaily. "Go on, Uncle Mark. / shall
see through you presently"
"But / have been meaning TO visit
you soon. Only you know am not
In any sense your guardian now. and
so, Eleanor, II you want me TO be
frank, 1t Is little unreasonable Of
you 10 put forward my duties In that
respect when | .have no compeusa.
tions."
She started. "You mean that you
didn't want 10 comc2" she asked.
IL did want to. But have 80 many
dutics---"
THANK you. Thnt's quite enough.
Captain Wallace. My conduct In In.
trudIng on such busy man has been
quite lnexcusable. Good day. Captain |
Walacei"
She made n mocklng little bow and |
went toward her cab. She stopped and
looked back. The brief anger was
ended. But Mark was already free
from that intolerable interview and
stumbling homeward.
lie let himself in. wrote out his res.
ignati0n, and mailed IL.
AZ he paced his room, pondering
over the situation. II seemed to him
that the key TO the mystery lay with
Even yet he had not allowed
himself 10 believe Kcilerman traitor.
But II was essential that he should
find Hartley. and insist upon confess
sion, both OF his motives In watching
the Colonel's house. and of those that
had brought him TO the war depart
nont.
Suddenly the telephone interrupted
his mcdilatlons. woinnn's voice at
he other end was asking for him.
"Are You quite sure you are Captain
Mark Wullacc?" II inquired, when he
md stated his identity,
II am as sure as have ever been"
Mark.
"Ah now recognize you" said the
strange voice In a merry ripple OF
aughter. "And you don't know who
am?"
"If you will state your name" be-
'an Mark patiently.
Someone who knows that you are
n trouble and wants TO help you. I'm
f'Nf' JVh "Vh itt hou httihtu
o he prejudiced against me when we
net before. Well, am Ada Kenson."
Mark uttered nm angry exclamation,
which he Instantly checked. This
night prove the key that he was seek
1g.
Come to my house at nine O'Clock
pnight, unless you are afraid. You
Ill meet nobody but me-"
II had been In Marks mind TO look
Or Hartley In that neIghborhood.
"What do You say, Captain Wal
zee? i can help you very much In
eed, and perhaps put things right for !
on. am In position TO know an
ood deal of what Is happening behind
10 scenes"
Mark felt his brain grow as cool as
'e. "I'll come, Mrs. Kenson." he an
Ncred crisply, and hung up the re- !,
,iver. y
He consoled himself with the refIec- |
on that he had, at least, nothing TO