The spectator., 1919-02-07
CHAPTER XVI.

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 ori- 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- dinary. 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 ]" back. What have you to say more"
 You misunderstood me. Eleanor"
 'I understand you now for the first time in my life. I liked you. Major Kellerman. l trusted you and 1 be- lieved in you. When you told me that you were working to get Captain Wal lace his recognition 1 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 a soldiers character. If that were possible?"
 Because I have a womans 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 winced.
 "So you've cheated the firing party, Private Weston!" he said, with his habitual sheer.
 70, call me Mark while you're about it." answered Wallace. "Or please re- member that I am no longer under your command, nor q soldier in the American army. Technically I am men"
 "Tell no tales, eh?" responded Kel- lerman savagely. Well, here we stand man to man, and the conditions war rant plain speaking. It is not my busi- 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, Mir 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 req sonable chance to escape, with those ready wits of yours"
 "The one word?" Eleanor gaSped.
 "The one word 'yes," responded Kel- lerman.
 q will never become your wife, Ma jor Kellerman."
 "So you told me the other day, after leading me to suppose that 1t was your intention" answered Kellerman easily Stop, Mir. Weston, if you please, and let me finish. War doesn't leave much sentimentality in man. We know what | life is worth, and we know that life's matter of bargaining. When we were in America l might have accepted my dismissal. Eleanor. But here we three stand under the naked heaven, | like ants on a hill. All artificial dis tlnctions have fallen away. I've loved | you for many months. Eleanor, and want to marry you. That's the bald truth of 1t. In order to persuade you, am willing to let this gentleman es- eape-to facilitate his escape, even to make our marriage dependent on my success. That's fair. isn't 1t? And, what have you against me? Is 1t my fault that he was court-martialed and sentenced to death for striking an of ficerT
 The mans efrrontery took Marks breath away.
 My answer" responded Eleanor steadily. lis mo- And even if you could send him to his death 1t would still be mo- Because he himself would wish that. But you can't harm him. Some thing convtnces use that all the harm