Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 174, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1916 — Page 2

The Red Mirage

A Story of the French Legion in Algiers

SYNOPSIS. —9— Sylvia Omney, her lover, Richard Farquhar, finds, has fallen in love with Captain Arnaud of the Foreign Legion. In Captain Sower’s room Farquhar forces Sower to have Preston’s I O. U s returned to him. Farquhar is helped to his rooms by Gabrielle Smith. Sower demands an apology. Refused, he forces Farquhar to resign his commission in return for possession of Farquar’s father s written confession that he had murdered Sower’s father. Gabrielle saves tarquhar from suicide. To shield Arnaud, Sylvia’s fiance, Farquhar professes to have stolen war plans and tells the real culprit why he did so. As Richard Nameless he joins the Foreign Legion and seee Sylvia, now Mme. Arnaud, meet Colonel Destinn. Farquhar meets Sylvia and Gabrielle, and learns from Corporal Goetz of the colonel's cruelty. Arnaud becomes a "drunkard and opium smoker. Sylvia, becomes friendly with Colonel Destinn. Arnaud becomes jealous of Farquhar.

A beautiful woman, tired of her husband, flirts dangerously with his superior and with his inferior in rank. With the Inferior she Is somewhat in love, yet she sees her husband go to shoot the lover without giving any sort of warning. Is she cruelly Indifferent, or does she look upon this as a good way to get rid of temptation?

CHAPTER Vlll—Continued. Sylvia Arnaud came out Into the clearing. She was still singing—a little louder than before, as if in defiance of a reawakening dread —and in the sudden hush her voice sounded luringly sweet. "Vlens pres de moi, viens plus pros encore, ' Mon amour t’appelle—” The passing shadow stopped midway between darkness and darkness. The light was on them both. There was a ■mothered exclamation. A revolvershot rang out and all was quiet again. The last echo of song hung in the vibrating air. Then slowly, the man standing against the light, sank together into a limp piteous heap. Colonel Destinn raced across the intervening space. His indifference was gone. He cursed<|j|omberly. “The Insolent devils —One of my ruffians—one of my ruffians—nameof God.”

He lifted the unconscious head against his shoulder, his experienced hands wrenching open the breast of the heavy military coat. Sylvia Arnaud crept up to him. Her face was ashy and expressionless, like that of a sleepwalker. He waved her impatiently aside. “Don’t stay here. There may be some more of them. As you value your life, run back to the villa and give the alarm. Ah!” He sprang to his feet instinctively, placing his body between her and the three men who had started out of the darkness. His hand bad flown to his pocket, “Who goes there?” “The patrol, my colonel.” “Goetz —you?” A sharp sigh of relief broke from between bis set teeth. Then he drew himself up. The red-hot rage froze to a deadly precision. “How did you come here?” “We were warned by a lady, my colonel.” j “You heard that shot Did you see no one?” “Yes, my colonel.” % “And did you not lay hands on him?” “My colonel, it was beyond my duty. It was Captain Arnaud.”

CHAPTER IX. Justification. Colonel Destinn bent over the map spread out before him in an attitude of concentrated attention. It was an un-usual-looking map, roughly outlined and almost destitute of the ordinary network of mountains and rivers. At the top a single town had been marked, and from thence downward there ran a dark red line, almost undeviating, which cut the upper part of the white linen in two distinct halves. On either side of this line there were towns marked and the beginnings of waterways, but in no instance did these extend beyond an inch on either hand. It was as though the red line had absorbed everything, and that what lay beyond its immediate radius was of no account, a blank white waste of depopulated country. The lower part* of the map had been painted yellow, and there the red line faltered and broke off. Colonel Destinn's pencil hovered over the jagged end, and his brows were knitted into an expression of thwarted impatience. On the other side of the table an elderly man wearing the uniform of a French army doctor sat and .stroked his neatly-trimmed beard with a reflective hand. From time to time be glanced doubtfully at his companion, and at last, receiving no attention, gave vent to an apologetic cough. "I am afraid I have come at an inopportune, moment,” he said. “You are busy. The matter is of really no Importance.” Deetinn started and looked up. “Pardon me. I was absorbed in a difficult calculation. You are mistaken. The matter is of importance. Life is do doubt cheap out here, but economy

By L A R. WYLIE

“Did it suggest anything to you?” The doctor shrugged his shoulders. His small brown eyes had shifted from the colonel’s face, to the floor. “It forced me to the conclusion that the assailant was in possession of an army revolver —stolen, without doubt.” “Without doubt,” Colonel Destinn agreed. “The man Is doing well?” “As well as can be expected. There was considerable loss of blood following on the extraction. Also fever.” “Next week I am taking a fresh batch with me down south to the present terminus. Will our English friend be in a fit state to bear us company?” “Undoubtedly—if he is not sent back to his regiment for the present. Otherwise—” His expression was significant. At that moment Captain Arnaud entered and he got up stiffly. Destinn glanced over his shoulder. “Ah, good morning! Well, I shall not detain you any longer, doctor. In. the course of the day I may have a look at the sufferer, and I shall then give further orders. The culprit you can leave to me. Sit down, won’t you, Arnaud?” The young officer remained standing. He returned the doctor’s greeting mechanically and his features were blank. As the door closed Colonel Destinn threw down his pencil and their eyes met. “Sit down.”

This time Arnaud obeyed. The elder man bent forward with his chin resting on his hand. “In the ordinary course of events I should have had you arrested last night,” he said. “If I did not do so it was because there was something unusual in the case that interested me. Even in the Legion madness has its method. A man in your position does not go out of his way to shoot down a poor harmless devil without reason. You had a reason and I wish’to know it” “For God’s sake, don’t jest with me! Do what you mean to do and have

has to be practiced even in cheap things. Besides, order has been established in Sidi-bel-Abbes, and any act of wanton aggression must be punished with a hard hand. You say the bullet has been extracted?” “Yes.”

“For God's Sake, Don't Jest With Me!”

mercy enough not to turn this business into a burlesque. If it is a confession you want —” Destinn rose, and his heavy fist rested clenched on the table. “I have asked for your justification,” he said. “For ten minutes I am prepared to judge you by my own laws. It offer worth accepting, Arnaud." “He is my enemy.” “For what reason?” “There are only two reasons possible. When we hate, it is either be* cause the object has injured or benefited us unbearably. I have both these reasons to justify me.” “You have still five minutes to explain, Captain Arnaud.” “Explain!” He laughed,- and in his laughter there already sounded a note of suffering becoming intolerable. “Explain in five minutes what it has taken months for me to realize —my God — and yet it is simple enough. A woman —the eternal cause, the eternal explanation!” “Your wife?” ■ ' “Who else?” “I have heard rumors, Arnaud.” ’ “I have lost my wife; I lost her months ago—l never possessed her. It was a dream. She fell in love with me on a moonlight night when the regimental band played in the Cercle and there was glamour and color everywhere—over Sidi-bel-Abbes, over me, over my life, over my love for her. We know that glamour, my colonel. It makes madmen out of us. It blinded

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN/ RENSSELAER, IND.

her. I followed her to England while the glory of it all was still strong in her imagination. I made her throw over the man to whom she was virtually bound—” “The man whom you tyied to murder last night?” “You’re right—you guessed right. That was the man. I made her break with him. It would have been a damnable thing to have done if I had known—but I never knew for certain. I refused to see for myself, and she never told me. Perhaps, anyhow, it wouldn’t have mattered. All’s fair in love, and I didn’t care who suffered. But that wasn’t all. I was in debt. An international spy had got hold of and bribed and threatened me alternately. To get out of his clutches, I gambled like a fool and lost—lost all the time. At last I yielded. I made use of my friendship with an English officer to get hold of what I believed to be valuable information. Oh, I did it badly enough. They found me out and there wasn’t an inch between me and ruin. God knows what would have been the end. I just sat there and waited for them to make up their minds. The man I had ousted was opposite me, and I waited for him to laugh. He came forward and accepted the responsibility. You understand — he was one of them, and he tied their hands. His friend held the door open for him and he went out. It was all done in a minute. I was saved.

“I paid. It was true—my wife’s ideal had been saved—but only for the time. Little by little she got to know me—and to compare. Oh, she said nothing; but I saw it, heard it, felt it in every movement, every look, every tone. The man she had cast off became the hero, the realization of her dreams, and I was what I had been from the beginning—a neurotic weakling in a uniform, a roue who had kept clean for her sake. She shrank from me and I knew she hated me. And he was in my power. I don’t know whether I meant to kill him or not. I had ceased to think. Last night chance had the reins. Perhaps at the last moment I might have held back, for the thing sickened me—but I saw her. She stood opposite him in the moonlight—and she was smiling. I heard him call her name —and then —it was all done In a flash —I shot him down.”

The dry cracked voice broke off. Arnaud staggered to his feet, his hands outstretched in a movement of tragic resignation. “That is my explanation. Make an end,” he said. Colonel Destinn did not move. In the yellow sun-scorched atmosphere his own face looked livid, and there were fresh lines about the mouth which gave it a deeper, more ruthless power and concentration. The pencil with which he had been playing lay snapped in half in the middle of the table. “Your ten minutes are over, and you have justified yourself,” he said. "You are free.”

“You are liberating a madman. What I have done I shall do again—” “What is that to me?” said Colonel Destinn, smiling. They watched each other in silence. In Arnaud’s eyes there were fear and incredulous question. He made a vague uncertain movement as though groping through darkness. Then came the sudden inevitable collapse of an exhausted personality and the man was once more the automaton, the instrument of a predominating will. Without a word he saluted and turned and staggered from the room.

CHAPTER X. A Grave Is Opened. It was midday. All Sidi-bel-Abbes seemed to be asleep. The streets were almost empty, and a lazy hush hung over the deserted cases where a few Indefatigable tourists dozed beneath the gayly striped awnings, watched over by waiters themselves half comatose with sleep and indifference. In the Case du Tonkin the repose was absolute and unashamed. There was only one watcher. Presently foot--steps sounded on the stone flags outside. She got up and crossed the uneven floor to the door. Her movements were lithe and noiseless like an animal’s, and not one of the heavy sleepers stirred. In the narrow*passage which led from the street to the entrance of the case a man in European dress waited for her. There was something furtive and restless in his movements that suggested a fear more subtle than that of danger. The girl touched him on his arm, and without a word he followed her across the room of sleepers through a curtained doorway into a second apartment Here there was no door or window. A charcoal brazier burned in the center, and its dull sullen glow lighted up the shadows and revealed phantom outlines of low divans and oriental tables, and hid their dirt and disorder in soft mysterious twilight The girl put her hands upon her companion’s shoulders and looked up at him. He had removed his hat and the somber light spread a pale repellent reflection over his white features. It was as though an artificial life had been conjured into the face of a dead man. “You are changed, Desire. What has happened in these days? Has there been no comfort for you?” His eyes opened. He threw back his head so that they looked each other in the face. - '■ ■ ’

Can a bad woman have an honest love? Can she be truer In her affection for a man than that man’s wife? la Arnaud, played with by his doll wife Sylvia, at all excusable in going to the Jewess?

(TO B£ CONTINUED.),

STRONG LEADERS IN MEXICAN ARMY

Long Era of Warfare Has Produced Several Highly Efficient Generals. OBREGON AND ANGELES BEST Angeles Said to Have Contributed Largely to Villa's Successes a Highminded, Humane, Capable Leader.

San Antonio, Tex. —Were the Mexican army throughout as capable as some of its'generals the United States would have no easy task in subduing Its unruly neighbor. It must be remembered that Mexico has had almost uninterrupted war of one kind or another for a period longer than the American Civil war. While conscientious American army officers have been puzzling over maps and working out problems in military strategy and tactics, the Mexican generals have been actually leading large forces in the field and giving and receiving blows in the same territory where they now clash with Uncle Sam’s Napoleons. This Is an enormous advantage. In addition, the Mexican military academy at Chapultepec, near Mexico City, which is similar to our West Point, has a high rating among institutions of this character. In the Mexican war of 1846-47 the Chapultepec cadets put up a desperate resistance to the American Invaders on the grounds of their school. They were only overcome nearly all had been killed or wounded. So, while the Mexican forces are badly equipped and lack ammunition and food supplies, they will in many cases be as well led as the Americans. Mexico’s two leading masters of war —leaving out the undoubted genius Francisco Villa —are Alvaro Obregon, “Pancho’s” conqueror and present minister of war, and Felipe Angeles, former superintendent of Chapultepec. Obregon has the best record. Of him more anon. Angeles is the greatest artillery expert Mexico ever produced. Indeed, his ability is recognized by European military men. At last reports Angeles was in the United States, but it is believed he will

General Obregon.

return to Mexico, unless apprehended by American troops, and offer his sword to Carranza. Supplied the Brains. Angeles remained with Villa when the latter broke with Carranza. He contributed largely to many of Villa’s victories. Some critics say most of Villa’s glory should go to Angeles—that he was the man behind the scenes and supplied the brains, while Villa Inspired the enthusiasm. He was Villa’s minister of war when Villa had an organized government and was proposed several times as provisional president of Mexico. In this position he could have counted on the confidence and support of the United States. But Villa feared Angeles’ strength and kept him In a subordinate position. Then Angeles quarreled with Villa over the bloodthirsty and unprincipled methods of the northern bandit ; general and left him. He did not go over to the constitutionalists, however, but sougi t refuge In the-Unlted States. On March 28 last he expressed the opinion at El Paso that there would be war between the United States and Mexico within 30 days If American troops remained for that period on Mexican soil. H

“Mexico is a powder magazine,” said the veteran general. “A spark will explode It” If Obregon remains at Mexico City to direct operations from there, actual charge In the field will probably be in the hands of Francisco Serrono, his chief of staff. He is another military .man whose worth has been proved In the series of revolutions and is regarded by American officers as a capable leader. He-has not figured prominently up to the present On the northern border the three principal leaders are General Rlcaut,

LATEST PHOTO OF GENERAL PERSHING

New and hitherto unpublished photograph of General Pershing, commander of the American forces now In Mexico.

in the east: General Jacinto Trevino, commanding in Chihuahua; and Gen. P. Elias Calles, military governor of Sonora. These are all war-seasoned veterans. General Calles has been friendly to Americans and has gained a rather high opinion along the border. He gave his word he would personally see that American refugees were not molested in their flight out of Mexico. He will probably try to lead his force through the mountains to attack the American expeditionary forces from the west. It was General Calles who overthrew Moytorena, the Villa governor of Sonora. Calles is believed to have 15,000 men under his command. Carranza himself may take the field, with the object of Inspiring’ the Mexicans and showing he is with them heart and soul. He has no military ability, but has shown sense enough in previous campaigns not to Interfere with the plans of Obregon and other experts.

Obregon is undoubtedly the man of the hour in Mexico. If he were not unswervingly loyal to Carranza he could seize the reins of government and become himself dictator. But he is as true to the bearded first chief as a good dog is to its master. He is unlike most Mexicans, a big, breezy, youthful fellow —he is only thirty-nine—who reminds one more of an American westerner than of the sordid, dissolute, brutal type so often found in high places in the southern republic. Like Villa, he is a man brought to the command of an army without regular military training and rising by the simple genius he possessed. He has been called the Clncinnatus of Mexico. He comes of an old Sonora family and is wealthy. Mexico’s troubles found him a peaceful farmer, known to but a few people in Sonora. He aided the revolution of Francisco Madero against Porflrlo Diaz in many ways, but did not ■take the field.

Obregon's Fame Spreads. When In the early months of Madero’s term of office Pascual Orozco and his “reds” became a terror In the state of Chihuahua, Obregon collected a band of 400 Maya Indians and under the command of Vlctorlano Huerta, then a Madero general, went out to quell the rebellion. In the battle of Ojlto, Obregon’s men gained for themselves the title of "Invincibles.” His fame spread, and so many came to join him that he rode home at the head of an army of 4,000. He was made colonel in the Sonora state militia, and when Felix Diaz started the military uprising which resulted in the death of President Madero and the seating of Huerta, Obregon organized 500 Indians and routed the garrison at Nogales, which had gone over to HuertaSoon after this Governor Carranza of Coahuila was declared first chief of the Constitutionalist army and he made Obregon general of the army of the West, while Villa became general of the central army.

It was the activities of Obregon in the Vicinity of Mexico City which forced Huerta to flee for his life. Obregon then occupied the capital with his troops. ' _ Then came Villa’s break with Carranza. Obregon was made Carranza’s chief general, and organized the largest army Mexico had yet seen. His great triumph came at the battle of Celaya, where Villa was crushed and forced to flee. ° • In this battle Obregon was desperately wounded. His right arm was amputated a few days later? His robust constitution resulted in quick re-

covery, and he was soon again directing the operations which reduced Villa to a flying bandit leader, at the head of only a handful of cutthroats. Six feet tall, immaculately dressed, smiling and clean-cut, Obregon is a man well liked by all who come In contact with him. Mexico’s troubles are due to having too few men like him.

Is Unhurt In Long Fall.

San Francisco. —Bryant J. O’Connor, u metal worker, fell seven stories to the pavement recently from a scaffold on a San Francisco office building, and surprised horrified spectators by rising and attempting to walk away. He was restrained And taken to an emergency hospital, where an examination showed that no bones were broken and that O’Connor’s Injuries were confined to minor bruises and scratches. > > '* ' ocii

OFFICIAL FLY CATCHER

“Catch the fly" Is the slogan of St. Louis. The pesky things that carry millions of germs at the end of their fine fuzzylike toes, or whatever you call ’em, are banned by the St. Louis authorities, and a price has been placed on the heads of the flies just as a price is placed on the heads of stray dogs. -While practically every city, town and hamlet boasts of its dog pound, St. Louis has taken the Initiative and established a fly pound. The fly traps that are located In various parts of the city proved the center of attraction to the Democratic delegates who were in the Mound City to attend the national Democratic convention, and it is dollars to doughnuts, that when they get back home they are going to follow the example set by St. Louis nnd set fly traps in their own home towns. The trap Is a huge imitation of the ordinary fly -traps one often sees in butcher shops. At the bottom there Is a conical opening, and under this opening one places a piece of suet or a piece of meat The flies swarm by the thousands around the bait and fly up through the opening jn the cone, into the trap from which there Is no escape. The St Louis traps are three-story affairs with plenty of light and air for the flies that the free apartments Into which they ars invltert •• , 5