The Washington times., 1908-12-25

L 1AeLNAt- O. 49,
and had since been in
conference with the captain, accosted
Helene upon the wharf.
Yes" she said a little wonderinEly.
Pardon me. / am Of the Secret Serv-
ice. and. il you have no objection, I
would like to have a little talk with
you. Not now, Of course, but I hoped
you would grant me an appointment 70
suit your convenience"
At the words Secret Service Aunt
Margaret gave a squawk, and almost
tumbled over backward.
.'Oh, it is that disgracefuI Harrison
matter" she walled Don't tell me
that you have become implicated In It?
] might have known"
But her niece gave her an admouish-
ing pinch on the arm, the significance
OF which was not TO be mistaken, and
. The old lady subsided.
% Certainly you may have g talk with
me-" the girl graciOusly assured the
s officer. LET me see Would 3 o'clock
, this afternoon suit you? Thank you; at
that time, then" And she gave him
the name Of her hotel
There was still the gauntlet Of news
- papermen TO be run, however. and she
had only time to bid Aunt Margaret be
s still. before they were upon her
6 NIestizos, Americans. Japanese, and
English.
Not a word now" she smiled upon
them all impartiaIIy. Give me time
r please. to collect my thoughts after
" the whirI I've been in. Say you all
ID meet me at my hotel in an hours
time"
Then she executed an adroIt flank
movement, and, pushing her aunt into
cab. directed the driver to lose no
time in getting them away.
Do once they were alone. she turned
upon her unhappy relative With accus-
ing vigor.
p. Have you been talking TO the re-
pprters?" she demanded
]. The old lady quailed before the stern
ness OF her glance
''No-yes-no.' she faltered. That is
did have a little chat with one young
gentleman: but he was so nice and re-
sDectful. am sure he wouldn't put in
anything wrong"
And suppose you told him all about
me and Jim. from the time we both
wore pinafores. eh2" Helen spoke with
+ the caImness OF despair
. Again Aunt Margaret fsItered.
Lord forgive me, Helene" she con.
fessed at length. II lied for the first
g time IN all my life. I said I was sure
. YOU had never heard Of the man be,
FORE
4. You did whatY'
Z. Il said I was sure you had never
heard OF the man before. Was that s
. mistake?"
But Helene was smOthering her witt
enthusiastic hugs.
I. "A mistakel You dear, blessed, in
nocent old auntie! Who would eve
have dreamed Of your showing. so muci
gumption2
And now" becoming practical again
'.I wonder where I can get a cOnrplet,
file Of all the recent papers?"
I have them all IN my room.
thought you might want to glanc'
through them
"Auntie, you are treasure. d.
want to glance through them. In fact
I shall have to bone as If for an ex
animation, II I am to meet those report
ers within an hour"
But I shouldn't think you woul,
y, need the papers for that. You know
i.' What happened TO you"
..- All, but I must also know what L
leave unsaid."
And SO well did she accomplish tha
task tLat the stories which appeared il
in print showed the association OF hersel
and Jim upon the island to have beel
only Of the most perfunctOTy charac
ter.
Not a word OF her finding him an
bringing him back to life after hi
co. shipwreck; not a word Of any treasur
o., seeking, or heather marriage cere
monies. or staying Of chief priests, o
any OF the real incidents.
In fact, It was about as blameless an
colorless a narrative as the account O
r a child's visit TO a country farm
Helene was very sure the ferocity G
the natives must have been exaggel
ated- She had been under the chapel
p. onage of the chiefs wife during he
=. stay and had been treated with tn
u' most scrupulous courtesy
when had Harrison arrived? Tn