The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1919-01-25

In Washington for Il good time now?
he asked.
~ suppose 10" Mark answered
"You know everything was prepared
for years before the war began. The
system had qualifications In every de-
purtment Of the government. You know
Colonel Howard was In touch with II
as far bnck ns the Cuban WARP
"Good Lord, yes, but"
"And man Is only pawn In such
game. Good God, don't question me.
Mark I've been tool of hers, but
I'll swear that l never worked against
the government. l learned little by
little of the whole accursed nest OF
spies. obeycd their orders because
well. can't tell you now---but worked
against them too. I've done them more
harm than gohd. 1 had my motives
selfish ones, desplcable perhaps; but |
was never n araltor. Good God, Mark
haven't you seen how your faith In me
has begun to make q mnn Of meT
Mark took EIartley's hand and
gripped II. II was the best and the
only possible answer. In their tacIt
understanding they went on toward
the inn together,
Outside the Inn they saw an auto.
with n soldier chauffeur In charge.
Hartley grlpped Marks arm.
"Do you know whose that is?' he
whispered. "Kellerman'sr
The landlady came to the door.
''Bonsoir. messleurs," she said smil.
Ing. "rhls way tonight. II you please"
She led them round by the side. into
the kitchen. where shey found half
dozen prlvates drinking light wine and
teasing the landlady's daughter as she
served them.
There was nothing In this TO the
men; they were often turned out OF
the dining room.parlor when officers
put In an appearance. But--this was
Kellerman Mark looked at Hartley
and saw intense excitement on his face,
which he was trying most evidently to
restrain.
He ordered beer OF Annette, and fol-
lowed her toward the Clubhouse in
which the liquor was stored. The girl
was II friend Of his, perhaps because,
more serious than the rest. he treated
her with less badinnge than was Gus
tomary among the soldiers. As she
moved out of the lighted room into the
shadows outside the merrImcnt fell
like a mask from her fncc.
"What Is II. Annettef asked Mark.
"Ah, monsieur. II IL tragic !" said the
girl. pausing at the clubhouse door.
"She IL one Of my countrywomen. The
accent Is Of the south. or some out
landlsh part. but she IL French--and
she has come u long way 10 meet him,
and he VIII not have anything to do
with her. How did she get through
the llnesf"
who. Annctte"
"rhe lady with the American officer.
Listen, mons!curl Listen. thcn"
They were standing IN front OF the
outhouse, which was set near an angle
OF the old-fashloned building between
the parlor and the kitchen. They
could hear the ImplorIng voice Of the
woman. and the subdued answers OF
Kellerman.
Then, elusive against the dark angle
OF the building, Mark perceived Hart
ley. He was standing under the high
sill OF the window. In such a way that
Mark thought he could see through the
chink between the sill and the lower
edge OF the blind. Eavesdropplng ms
he evidently was, Mark felt that some
thing justified his presence there.
Annette perceived him mt the same
moment. She started, and then
shrugged her shoulders.
"Eh blen. monsieur, II is their af-
fair" she said lightly. and went into
the outhouse. She was too wise 10 In
terfcrc with her customers. Mark
hardly noticed her departure. lie was
watching Hartley.
Suddenly the door opened and the |
woman came down the steps that led |
into the little vineyard behind the inn. |
She raised her heavy veil to dab
at her eyes. and at that |
moment Mark recognized Mrs. Kcnson. |
He remained rooted TO the ground |
In nstonishment. But II was more
than that; he felt suddenly trapped.
ns II the woman's presence there was
vitality connected with his own prob
lens. as II he were the victim Of some
scheme with which he
could not grapple.
A minute later Kellerman appeared
md stood upon the step above her,
looking into her .upturned face with
his habltual sneer.
ut IL all over then?" asked Mrs.
Henson.
"SInce you compel me TO be frank
,es.' answered Kellerman. at has
,een over for years. Ada. TO think
hut you should have put us all In this
iangerl You haven't told me how you
got here, or how you sent me that
message"
"How got here? Does that mat
lerf Well. 1 came up In a peasant
vomnn's dress. as one of the repa-
.riated. sent you the message through
.