The Jasper news., 1908-11-26
starved, and am goiny to drop all tbir
war subject for n willie"

she clapped her hands anc showed her
approval by saying: That's good.
Do you remember the little balcony
overhanging the street wnere green
things grow and we used to sit last
summer when we wanted 10 be alone
and talk? May we have the balcony
table?" His smiling assurance that
he remembered and that 1t was to
that very spot he was conducting her
brought forth her applause at his se-
lection. She leaned out to look ahead
as they approached it, looked con.
tented when they alIghted before It.,
and eagerly stepped within when the
attendant swung open the doors.
They walked across the carpeted
floors and between tables where 9th.
ers were dining, and everywhere as
they went she was recalled to the
sterner things of life by a converse.
tion which had no other topic than
war. Here and there she recognized
men occupying more or less respon-
sible positions In the government, and
few whose uniforms proclaimed
them to be officers of the army and
navy. These latter seemed discussing
the situation from more confidential
viewpoint, and held their heads close
together now and then as If fearful
hat others. might overhear their
whispered comments.
All criticising the government"
Guy muttered, indicating one group
with a slight nod of his head. "They
can't understand 1t any more than we
can"
She looked at him sharply as II
about to speak, and then after an In
'tant's hesitation closed her half
parted lips and advanced to the seat
she desired. A white-clad waiter
served them and deferentially brought
1 newspaper still wet from the press
Thought you'd like to see the latest
extra, sir" he explained, as he lest
hem; and Hitler. with a look OF
yeariness, glanced at the headlines
md laid 1t aside.
Same old thing" he commented,
n reply to her look of inquiry. THE
lazette has just learned that not even
oaling orders have been issued, and
his from no less person than the
ecvetary of the navy, who has been
,oaded into free speech by the con.
slant pricks of criticism. l wonder If
hese people are insane?"
Guy" she retorted, 81 don't think
altogether fair to speak of the men
1t the head of the government as in.
ane until they have been proved in
error. Let's talk of something else"
And he, worried and tired of the
opic, was glad to lead into more per.
;enal subjects. He thought of the
I'D inventor whom he had not seen
for months.
How is your father now?" he
lsked. 'Is he improving in health,
md where is he?"
For the first time she showed some
embarrassment. He watched her, and
as she hesitated before answering be.
gan to wonder II there was not some.
hing concerning Roberts which she
vas endeavoring to conceal from him
''Oh, he is well, but very overworkee
and tired" she replied finally.
But you haven't answered all my
question" he insisted. you haven't
told me where he Is"
She remained silent, toying with
one of the rings upon her hand and
looking out through the vines to
where the lights of the city cleaned
below and stretched out into the
blackness beyond.
Norm" he said. leaning toward
her, "is there anything wrong with
him? All your letters come from
Miami. There's sanatorium there.
1t can't be that your father is"
"No-no-no; 1t isn't that" she re.
piled, but with look of such appre-
hension that he almost doubted her
for the first time In all their friend
ship. Father is all right, only he has
worked very hard, and Oh, please
don't insist on my telling you any
more! Believe me. i should be frank
with you, of all persons in the world.
IL could; but can't be-quite."
Impulsively he stretched his hands
across the table and seized hers. The
hum of conversation had died out in
the room back OF them, most OF the
diners having departed. 1t had grown
SO quiet that they could hear the
strains of band from one Of the
parks, playing as gayly as If war was
an unknown contingency.
Norm" he said pleadingly, take
me into your full confidence! Tell
me what 1t Is that troubles you
Something does, I'm sure. / have read