The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-02-27
CHAPTER xi.

BY evening the rush Of work had
died down, and the orderlies, save
those on duty, were given the custo-
mary leave.
Leave meant Etapies. with its COM
Portable little inn. the chatty landlady
and her pretty daughter.
Mark strode toward Etaples. He
had an intense longing for the lights
and comfort Of the little inn. But he
had not gone more than a hundred
PAGES when Hartley hailed him.
"Going into Etaples?" he asked. "Do
you mind my going with your"
"Frankly. yes, Hartley" answered
Mark. "You won't mind my saying
so7 I want to be alone after"
II know. old man," said Hartley.
drawing back. "Sorry II I bothered
you"
But Mark swung round on him.
Hartley, answer me one question:" he
said. "What has Miss Howard ever
had to do with you? Why have you
been watching her for six or seven
years"
Hartley began to walk along the
road at Marks side. He made a Curl
Gus gulping sound before he answered.
"Has 1t occurred to you. Mark, that
the Kenson woman has been operating
In Washington for a good time nowT'
he asked.
II suppose so." Mark answered.
"You know everything was prepared
for years before the war began. The
system had ramificatiOns In every de-
partment of the government. You know
Colonel Howard was in touch with II
rs fur back as the Cuban war?"
"Go0d Lord. yes, but"
"And q man Is only a pawn In such
a game. Good God. don't question me
Mark I've been a tool Of hers. but
Ill swear that Lever worked against
the government. learned little by
little Of the whole accursed nest OF
spies. obeyed their or5a-s because
well, can't tell you nOw-but worked
against them too. I've done them more
harm than good. had my motives
selfish ones, despicable, perhaps; but
was never a traitor. Good God, Mark
haven't you seen how your faith In me
has begun to make a man Of met"
Mark took Hartley's hand ant
gripped It. 1t was the best and tho
only. possible answer. In their tacl
understanding they went on tOwar,
the inn together.
Outside the inn they saw IN auto
with q soldier chauffeur In charge
Hartley grlpped Marks arm.
"Do you know whose that isf" HI
whispered. "Kellerman'sI'
The landlady came to the door
"POnsoir. messieurs." she said smll
Ing. "Thls way tonight. II you please.
She led them round by the side. int
the kitchen, where they found half ;
dozen prIvates drinking light wine an,
. teasing the landlady's daughter as sh
served them.
There was nothing In this to tn
men; they were often turned out o
the dining room-parlor when officer
put In an appearance. But-this wa
Kellerman! Mark looked at Hartle
] and saw intense excitement on his face
which he was trying most evidently t
restrain.
He ordered beer of Annette, and fol
J lowed her toward the clubhouse II
= which the liquor wss stored. The gin
was friend Of his, perhaps because
!. more serious than the rest. he treate
Y her with less baGinage than was Gus
D tomary among the soldiers. As sh
!, moved out Of the lighted room Tito tn
: shadows outs,de the mcrriment fel
4 like mask from her face.
y "What Is 1t, Annette?" asked Marx
}. "Ah. monsieur. It Is tragic!" said IN
I girl, pausing ut the 0uthouse dool
. "She Ia one Of my couutrywopcn. tn