The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-07-11
Thermopylae With
a Vengeance
By MARTHA WILLIAMS
90 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.j

otC, WHICH Pi|dSCo hCi, hhO"o
how to set a stage. In proof take the
case Of Mildred May and Capt. Wal
lace Drayton. They had met casually
before the encounter at Green Bush.
In result he was to her an epoch she
no more to him than mildly pleasing
episode in a drabbish occasion. He
might have passed on but for the
fact that ten yards off stood Leith
Gandry, adept in the game of love
making, even as he was. Further, she
had indiscreetly boosted of him as her
latest and most abject worshiper.
Which sat Ill upon the Drayton stom-
ach-so i'll its owner felt she deserved
q Christening. Here was Mildred a
proper instrument of it, ready to his
hand, saying with exaggerated empha-
sis: Nov. l know why l came here
In spite of myself. My good angel
made me feel / should see you again"
Mildred laughed softly, enchantingly.
II fear your pretty speeches are spoil
ing for lack of air." she said. please
don't waste them on me. l am very,
very yOung-and ~credulous. You don't
know how credulous-"
praise heaven" Drayton returned
ferventiy. Il thought there wasn't a
believing girl left on EARTH"
81 could have told you better-lf
you had asked me-" Jimmy Mayne
broke in. He was on Mildreds other
hand, his eyes worshipful. withal a
trifie startled. He knew his captain
Go M cno1lc oIiln m
and women 1t pleased him to have
the gentlemen make much of sweet
heart Mildred-but not quite in that
convincing fashion. Drayton was his
demi-god-yet he shuddered at the
thought Of him as a rival. He half
rose, saying awkwardly: "Cap'n-Pd
like to talk with you two minutes" to
which Drayton retorted waving his
hand imperiously: "On your way, boy
Think I've ears to waste on you, here
and nowT
Mildred clapped her hands. crying:
''Thanky, sir! He needs putting in
place-badly." Drayton took her hand.
answering, well see that he gets it
being his Christian friend. bar
gam. anu last. DNdl,
now. you untruthful James, while we
plan your salvation"
Jimmy went-but not far. Am
pushed in the shrub5ery, ten yards off.
he watched tensely the pair he had
left. He saw to his disquiet Miss
Gandry stroll near, speak to both BAN
teringly, then pass on, biting her lip,
and frowning, though her escort was
Banker Mimms, the richest man in
the crowd. Evidently she had tried to
lure Drayton into her train-evidently
she had failed. He sat easy, gra-
cious, graceful, close-close to Mildred,
making her laugh whites. other whites
bringing to her seagreen eyes a look
new and strange. Jimmy's heart sank, |
noting it. So he had felt she would |
look back into the eyes of love. He |
knew her face by heart-well he |
might-it had been his favorite study |
since both were in short frocks. He |
had not begged her picture to take
with him to the fighting. No need
for it-he had simply to shut his eyes
and see her distinctly. And he could
not bear to think of even her counter
felt, defiled, in the deadly aftermath
of battle.
Drayton got up presently. half lift
ing Mildred to her feet, drew her
hand upon his arm, as Jimmy had
never dared do before folks, and be-
flecked grounds. Jimmy sauntered
after. keeping we'll out of eye-shot,
but near enough to note the absorbed
look Of his captain, the heightened
roses in Mildred's cheeks and the fact
that neither of them paid. more than
casual nod to anybody encountered.
Not even Leith Gandry-though sew
Her frown had deepened. but Drayton
paid no heed. He danced with Mil
bred once or twice under the big
but spent much more time
in the cool green seclusion of the per-
COLA. beyond the fountain. Dropping
water masked their voices, but through
the tinkle of 1t the intent listener
caught now and then deep vibrant
note in the mans tone. q faint shril
tremor in the girls. Eavesdropping
was utterly abhorrent to Jimmy-but
he somehow sensed things actually I'M
heard His captain he knew for a
born philanderer-besides Mildred was
excuse enough for forgetting friend
ship. Jimmy's mouth set as he came
to that conclusion. She must not suf-
happened to him. Brood
Ing, with downcast. fierce eyes he
gave over his involuntary sleuthing
and went to watch the sports farther
down the lawn.
Thither later came Drayton, to
Judge some of the events. with trans
figured Mildred inward-her eyes
dreamy. her face illumined and dawn ,
flushed. He beckoned Jimmy author
tatively. saying: Mount guard. Ser |
yeant Mayne. while go and see how
badly these other bully boys are do I
ng things" Ir
Jimmy shook his head saving. "TIl .