Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

tttl'URBS AND TilE FtCYUREGOER 92 VEK ENDING OCT. 30, '.9:5 IGH TREASON FOUWAED AND BACK THEY STRUGGLED. ON the slope of a hill overlooking the plains of Alsace stood a man and a maid. Down into the western sky the sun was sinking, and the tall trees bordering the hill were castinglong shadows upon the corn below rapidly ripening to harvest. July was nearly spent, and the troublesome Near East was the source of misgiving to [ientenaut Jeffrey Is Brand. He and the father of Marie, the bewitching little maid at his side, were officers of the fr< .111 ier fort standing as a watch-tower against the German menace. •■ Why are you so quiet. Jeffrey ? ■• Because I do not like the look of tilings, sweetheart. That Sarajevo affair will certainly lead to war.*' "But you are an officer. Surely you are not afraid ? " replied the astonished " ill. " ■• Itisnotfear.Marie.thatoppressesme, but the knowledge of what modern warfare means. Neitherdolfeartheultimate nil. Vet I cannot bear to think of the awful misery war will entail.'" said Jeffrey, as he led the girl back to the town. ■' Good-bye till to-morrow, dearie. I am on duty within the hour, and \he Genera) must not find me late." E*acuig up and down the courtyard of the fort, General Bleriot east anxious glances towards the frontier. Times were troublous, and many things more unlikely than war. All the more reason, ihen. to keen a watchful eye upon the defences, and to guard its secrets with unceasing vigilance. The old soldier stern, staunch, and unrelenting was proud of the trust reposed in him. Sparing neither himself uor the men under him. the keenness of the fort was a watchword along the frontier. The period of tension was severe, but the General did not flinch. In '70 his country did no( find him wanting, and were the fateful days of t914 to ask th9 same of him, he would lie ready. But the General had a trouble nearer home than the international situation. Ili son Jules, lieutenant, was an out-andout-weakling not. vicious, hut weak. Strange th.it such B devotee to duty and Adapted from the Gaumo By ALEC J. lover of has country should have such a scapegrace' sou. With a sigh heturned and sought his quarters. He must -peak to Jules. ' My son," -aid his father a few minutes later, " we are living iii critical tinips; no one knQ.wSi.wben the storm will burst, yet you are as thoughtless as e\cr, .Do you know that you are breaking your mother's heart ? " But Jules made no answer. Had .the father witnessedhis departure lie would have realised that Jules paid" 110 attention to fatherly counsel. He borrowed more money from his mother, and went straight to Du Yorchien's gambling (dub. It was not-without a reason that Du Vorchien encouraged the young man's -visits to "The Stag.*' The professional gambler was not playing a straight game with the officers who frequented his rooms. Never a fortunate player. Jules plunged recklessly, and in the end found himself more than a thousand francs to the bad. This was serious, and lie had resort to Du Vorchien. who lent him 1,225 francs iipon an I O 17. Soon he was again in difficulties, and reproached the gambler for his bad luck. "You dare to threaten me . " cried Du Yorchien. "Supposing I paid the General a little friendly visit. What then, eh ? " " Your gambling club would be closed,"' replied Jules. ■And you would be drummed out of the regiment,"" retorted the gambler. While this scene was taking place at the club the officer of the day called to see General Bleriot. The situation was becoming worse, and the Major did not feel altogether satisfied. It seemed to him that there was a leakage of information somewhere. The General did not think so. He had great faith in the patriotism of his men. . •• No, 110, Major." he said, " the officers and men are safe. They dare not betray their country; there is the penalty. And there are no except ions. If my o*n son did wrong he would have to pay the penalty. ' The following afternoon Jeffrey and Marie were together in the girl's home when Jules was announced. Both young men were in love with Marie, and Jules was conscious that his rival was preferred. This, however, did. not prevent him putting hi love to the test when Jeffrey had gone, to learn to his chagrin that Marie Could not accept him. His pride was injured. and. vowing to he even with Jeffrey for robbing him of the girl. he went to Du Voivliien's to see if tickle Dame F< ltune wouldbe more-kind when he played roulette. Early that evening Juniere* a special service messenger arrived at lh-' town, and. unconscious that he was being followed, made his way to the General's bouse. Jules, who had returned from "The Stag," from the window watched the nt Exclusive BRAID. \ isitor hand his father a packet with the warning." These papers contain valuable military secrets. You must guard them with your life." When the visitor was gone General Bleriot was placing the papers ha the drawer of the desk when a noise at the window attracted his attention. He sprang to the window, but too lav see Jnles disappearing. For great safety the General tookthe packet upstairs with him when he retired for the night and placed them under his pillow. * » ' * * Following his usual custom, late in the evening Jules went to "The Stag." But the spy was let'.. re him. Junie're'e v isit was noted and its purport suspected Now Du Vorchien had the opportunity of squaring his -midge against the father by entangling the sou. Too long had the Commandant of the district hampered the progress of the club. Npw there appeared to be a chance, not only of wiping ont old scores, bnt also of making a bold stroke against France. Acting on behalf of the intolerant nation on the other side of the frontier. Du Yorchien glorified in the chance offered him. He called Jules aside. and handed him a note which read " Unless the honour debt is paid to me within four and twenty hours, I shall be forced to unpleasant measures." His " luck had been out"' for snch a time that it was certain Jnle could not raise the money by the following evening. It was useless appealing to his father. He left the club bewildered and distressed. What could he do ? Tt was not a large sum. bnt he dared not risk exposure. The penalty of expulsion faced him. His father would not make an exception even in his case. " Jules Bleriot. you are in trouble. I can help you out of it." The voice was that of Do Yorchienaccomplice. He had followed Jules almost to the hon-o. waitin<_' until dejection had sapped the young Officer's willpower before revealing himself. " Who are you. and how can you help me r " inquired Jules " It does not matter who 1 am." \\athe reply. " 1 want those papers your father received to-night." " V0.1 scoundrel! "' cried Jules, springing at t ho dark figure before him. "How dare you make such an infamous £ __ -tion r " "Don't be foolish. Remember exposure is facing you, Tind everything can be straightened if yon like. 1 will give Mm 2,000f. for those papers." * ■ • Saying consented to steal the paper* Jules imagined he had an easy task before him. Creeping stealthily into the liH'in. he opened the drawer, and was astonished to find it empty. Even now it was not too late to desist from the