Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/271

 In his conversation at the hotel he had affected the use of slang to display his complete familiarity with English, Ruth had noticed; and she caught his meaning instantly. Her other flame was George Byrne, of course; Mecklen, who had "only half-done" him, must be the German of the ruined house.

"Byrne did not die?" Ruth asked.

"Who's Byrne?" Wessels returned. "The American infantry lieutenant?"

"Yes."

"No; he did not die. Mecklen shut his mouth; but any day now it may open. When you did not come, I thought it had."

"His mouth opened?"

"Yes; we had better walk, perhaps. There are many more places of great interest. I shall show them to you."

He pointed Ruth ahead of him down a narrow way; and when she proceeded obediently, he followed.

She welcomed the few moments offered for consideration. So George Byrne had not died! That was a weight from her heart; and Wessels had only fragmentary facts about her, however he had received them. He knew that she had had another "flame," an American infantry lieutenant; but Wessels had not known his name.

"You were lucky to get here," Wessels offered, coming up beside her when the way widened. Their direction was farther out from the city and they continued to be quite alone. "But it cooks your chance to go back."

"To France, you mean?"

"Where else?"

She had thought of the possibility of being dispatched