The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-03-22

secured by Hampton under circum-
stances which,
Kellerman uttered low cry; he was
trembling now, and all his bravado
seemed to have OOzed away.
This woman, strangely enough.
loved her confederate" went on the
General remorselessly, fixing his eyes
full on kellerman'S now, while Keller
man blinked like bat in daylight, ana
turned his head weakly from side TO
side, as if under the intolerable glare
of a searchlight. "Her claims on him
were strong enough, God knows! She
wanted him to marry her, to take her
away from the old scenes that they
might have a chance to redeem their
wretched lives together. He had prom
ised her that so many times-and the
worst of women is as wax in the hands
of the man she loves.
"But he had become infatuated with
another, with girl as much above him
as"
With a cry that seemed hardly hui
man Colonel Howard sprang toward
Kellerman, his fingers twitching as II
he sought to fasten them about ms
throat. Mark caught him and held him,
while the old man swayed to and fro,
his outstretched arm extended toward
Kellerman as if in imprecation.
Eleanor, at Hartley's side, did not
even look toward them.
"This woman, Observation-Disclosures
whatever you call her, came to France,
upon receipt of a message which had
cut her to the heart, shown her the
hopelessness of her dreams, and taught
her that the one man in whom she had
believed was worthless clay. To do
her justice, let US suppose that, even
in her worst acts, she had been sus'
tanned by a sense of duty to her coun-
try.
"She met her confederate in an inn
at a village not far distant. Frantic
at her appearance, he induced her to
let him drive her back through the
lines, and on the way renewed his lying
| promises. This time she doubted him.
'Two men had overheard their con-
versatiOn. One was Captain Wallace,
whom the pair had broken as they
| broke poor Hampton. Him the traitor
had seen, and he devised a scheme to
send him to the trenches and cOntrive
to have him sent on false and fatal
errand. With that point I shall not
now deal. The other man was Hamp-
ton, who had enlisted under an alias,
in the belief that he would obtain a
clue that would unmask the traitor. He
contrived to 60 back through the lines,
found the woman, and somehow-per-
haps by Gods wonderful mercy-ob-
tanned her signed professionalism
have here. in FULL"
He wheeled upon Kellerman. "Ma-
jor Kellerman," he said in deep voice
that vibrated almost with pity, SO
charged with significance that its
meaning could not escape either How
ard or Mark, 'you are under arrest
You will go toward your quarters. first
removing your belt and arms"
| Kellerman saluted weakly and STUN
bled out of the cave. The General
looked at Mark.
"The soldier Weston receives free
and full pardon for his valor in the
field this day." he said. "He is also
discharged honorably from the service
of the United States government"
Mark looked at the general in as
constituent; this was the last thing
that he desired.
The General approached and clappet
him on the shoulder. captain Wal
lace" he said, "your written resigna
ton from the United States army can
aot be accepted, owing to the state Of
war. After the war it will receive con
sideration. In the meantime you viii
resume your duties on the headQuar
tiers staff"
Tears rushed to Marks eyes. H.
tried to speak, he was conscious tina
the General and Howard were shaking
him by the hand; and then a quicl
glance from Eleanor drew him to where
she kneeled by Hartley.
A single look showed him that thu
man was dying.
Mark kneeled on one side OF him
with Eleanor facing him over thu
stretcher. The bearers, who had falleI
back, stood still as images behind. Ant
behind them Mark had the dim con
seriousness in the background of hi
mind of Kellerman, broken as he hat
broken so many, and fumbling, always
fumhling, now with his tunic. nov
with the belt that he was trying t.
detach with shaking fingers.
"Hartleyr whispered Mark, hold
ing the dying mans hand in his. "Tha
was you today missed you. but
believed In you. You saved me-"
There was fluttering pressure o
Marks hand In turn. Hampton wa
speaking; he was asking for the Colo
mel.
!. II am here, Hampton" said Colone
Howard In q choked voice. as ht
leaned over him.
, "You believe In me now. sir?" NUT
tered the dying man, rolling his hea
: uneasily in the effort to see.
"May God forgive me, Hampton
May she-your wife-forgive ne. Tel
! her that, and tell her her words cam
truo BETRAYED nv best friend. an