The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1919-01-08
CHAPTER XVI.

saw the startled glance that she cast
behind her, and, following it with his
eyes. he saw a tall figure in uniform
emerge from the recesses of the orr.
flee; and again he stood face to face
with Kellerman.
Eleanor released him and stood. still
cllnging to him, at his side, her hand
drawn through his arm. The contrast
between the two men was extraor-
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 unrecognizable
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"
Il 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 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!"
when the decision has already been
made by an impartial court, anxious to
clear soldiers character, if that were
possible?"
Because I have a 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,
PEivate Weston!" he said, with his
sheer.
80, call me Mark while you're about
it," answered Wallace. "Or please re-
member that I am no longer under
your command, nor soldier in the
American army. Technically 1 am
dead man, Major Kellerman, and dead
'"Tell no tales, eh?" responded Kel-
lerman 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, if
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 |
n this confusion you will have a rea-
'onable chance to escape, with those |
'eady wits of yours"
'The one word?" Eleanor gasped.
"The one word yes" responded Kel-
erman.
II will never become your wife, Ma
or Kellerman."
$50 you told me the other day, after
eading me to suppose that it was your
ntention," answered Kellerman easily.
Stop, Mr.. Weston, if you please, and
ct me finish. War doesn't leave much
in man. We know what
ife is worth, and we know that life's
matter of bargaining. When we
we're in America might have accepted
ny dismissal, Eleanor. But here we
hree stand under the naked heaven,
Ike ants on hill. All artificial dis
motions have fallen away. I've loved
on for many months, Eleanor and l
amt to marry you. That's the bald
ruth of it. In order to persuade you,
am willing to let this gentleman es-
facilitate his escape, even to
lake our marriage dependent on my
uccess. That's fair, isn't it? And,
hat have you against me? Is it my
lult that he was court-martialed and
entenced to death for striking an Of [
cer?" !
The mans effrontery took Marks
reath away. I
MY answer" responded Eleanor
eadily. lis no. And even if you could
md him to his death it would still be ]
o. Because he himself would wish 8
lat. But you can't harm him. Some I
ling COnvinceS mo that all the harm |