The Ordway new era., 1919-03-28
CHAPTER XVI.

Even as he kissed her in return he
saw the startled glance that she cast
behind her. and, following 1t with his
eyes. he saw tall figure In uniform
emerge from the recesses Of the ORR
fee; and again he stood face to face
with Kellerman.
Eleanor released him and stood, still
clinging to him, at his side. her hand
drawn through his arm. The contrast
between the two men was extraor-
dlnary. Kellerman looked as II he had
just stepped into his uniform; his
gloved hands, his adjusted belt, the
creases in his tunic were those of the
fashion-plate. Looking at Mark, he saw
dirty. grimed, almost unrecognizable
figure, with uniform that hung about
him in great tatters, blotched and
stained with blood.
"You said he would not come back 7"
cried Eleanor. "You see he has come
back. What have you to say more?"
You misunderstood me, Eleanor"
AZ understand you now for the first
time In my life. I liked you, Major
Kellerman. I trusted you and be-
lieved in you. When you told me that
you were working to get Captain Wal
lace his recognition was glad, and
proud of you both. and happy. What
did you do?"
"What did he do?" cried Kellerman
furiously. "Why should you believe
evil things Of me. because he said
them"
"He never spoke one word against
your
"When the decision has already been
made by an impartial court. anxious to
clear a soldiers character. II that were
possible7"
because I have a woman's instinct.
Major Kellerman."
Enough of this" interposed Mark.
'What are you doing here, sirf"
He snapped the last word out in
irony SO bitter that Kellerman WINGED.
$50 you've cheated the firing party.
Private WestonI" he said, with his
habitual sneer.
10, call me Mark while you're about
It," answered Wallace. "Or please re-
member that I am no longer under
your command. nor a soldier In the
American army. Technically 1 am a
dead man. Major Kellerman. and dead
mem"
"Tell no tales, eh?" responded Kel-
lerman savagely. swell. here we stand
man to man, and the conditions war
rant plain speaking. 1t is not my busI-
ness to place you under arrest. But, If
1 do so, you are aware that your life
will be worth about five minutes pur-
chase. So go. Mr.. Weston. or Wallace,
or whatever you call yourself now. Go
@if Miss Eleanor here says the one
word that will set you free. Go-and
in this confusion you will have a rea.
sonable chance to escape, with those
ready wits of yours"
"The one word?" Eleanor gasped.
"The one word yes" responded Kel
lerman.
II will never become your wife, Ma.
jor Kellerman."
$50 you told me the other day. afte,
leading me to suppose that It was your
intention" answered Kellerman easily
stop, Mr.. Weston, If you please. and
let me finish. War doesn't leave much
sentimentallty in man. We know what
life is worth. and we know that life's
a matter Of bargaining. When We
were in America might have accepted
my dismissal. Eleanor. But here we
three stand under the naked heaven
like ants on hill. All artificial dis
tinctions have fallen away. I've loved
you for many months, Eleanor, and
want to marry you. That's the bale
truth Of it. In order to persuade you
1 am willing to let this gentleman es
cape-to facilitate his escape. even tc
make our marriage dependent on my
success. That's fair, isn't it7 And
what have you against me? Is 1t my
fault that he was court-martialed ant
sentenced to death for striking an of
ficer"
The mans effrontery took Mark.
breath away.
My answer" responded Eleanor
steadily, "is no. And even If you coult
send him to his death 1t would still b,
no. Because he himself would wisi
that. But you can't harm him. Some
thing convinces me that all the harm