The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1919-01-22
CHAPTER XVI.

Even as he kissed her In return he
saw the startled glance that she cast
behind her, and, following it 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
binary. Kellerman looked as if 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 unacceptable
figure, with uniform that hung about
him in great tatters, blotched and
stained with blood.
"You said he would not come back! |"
cried Eleanor. "You see he has come
back. What have you to say more"
"You misunderstood me. Eleanor"
II understand you now for the first
time in my life. liked you, Major
Kellerman. I trusted you and 1 be-
lieved in you. When you told me that
you were working to get Captain Wal
lace his recognition I 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
you'll"
"When the decision has already been
made by an impartial court, anxious to
clear a soldiers character. If that were
possible?"
because I have woman's instinct,
Major Kellerman."
Enough of this" interposed Mark.
"What are you doing here, sir?"
He snapped the last word out in
irony SO bitter that Kellerman WINGED.
$50 you've cheated the firing party,
Private Weston!" he said, with his
habitual sneer.
30, call me Mark while you're about
it," answered Wallace. "Or please re-
member that 1 am no longer under
your command, nor a soldier in the
American army. Technically I am q
dead man, Major Kellerman, and dead
men"
"Tell no tales, ehY" responded Kel.
herman savagely. "Well, here we stand
man to man, and the conditions war.
rant plain speaking. 1t is not my bust.
ness to place you under arrest. But, II
I 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. &C
|-if Miss Eleanor here says the one
word that will set you free. GO-ant
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
herman.
II will never become your wife, Ma
jor Kellerman."
$50 you told me the other day, aftel
leading me to suppose that it was you
Intention" answered Kellerman easily
"Stop, Mr.. Weston, If you please, ant
let me finish. War doesn't leave mucl
sentimentality in man. We know wha
life is worth, and we know that life'
a matter of bargaining. When w
were in America might have accepted
my dismissal, Eleanor. But here w
three stand under the naked heaven
like ants on hill. All artificial dis
tinctions have fallen away. I've love-
you for many months, Eleanor, and
want to marry you. That's the bali
truth of it. In order to persuade you
: l am willing to let this gentleman es
cape-to facilitate his escape, even t
make our marriage dependent on M
success. That's fair, isn't it? And
what have you against me? Is 1t M
fault that he was concentrated an
sentenced to death for striking an OF
ficerT
The mans effrontery took Mark
breath away.
| "My answer" responded Eleano
steadily, sis no. And even if you coul
send him to his death it would still b
no. Because he himself would wis
that. But you can't harm him. Some
thing convinces me that all the haru