The Delta independent., 1911-01-20
THE GIRL
AND
The Bill

had failed to piece the facts together.
The rumors of important international
negotiations; the sudden but not Sc
rious illness of the secretary his tenn
'porary retirement from Washington
to Chicago, to be near his favorite
physician-for weeks the papers had
been full of these Incidents.
When South Americans and JAP
enese combined to hinder the signing
of mysterious papers, he should have
realized that the matter was not of
private, but of public Importance. But
the true significance of the events
into which he had been drawn had es-
capped his logical mind. 1t had never
occurred to him that such a ssaries of
plots, frequent though they might be
dn continental Europe, could ever be
attempted in a country like the United
States. And then, he had actually
thought of little besides the girl and
her needs.
He glanced at her now, but her gaze
was fixed on the scene before them.
The brightness of her eyes and her
quickened breathing told him how in
tense was her interest
Across the table from the secretary
of state sat younger man. His breast
gi1ttered with decorations, and his
bearing and appearance had all the
stiffness of the high-born Teuton.
OF the men who stood behind the
two seated figures. some were young,
some were old. but all were weighted
with the gravity of a great moment
orme inferred that they were secre-
ltaries and attaches.
And now pens scratched on paper.
The secretary of state and the Ger
man ambassador-for Orme knew that
E1t must be he-were signing docu-
ments. apparently in duplicate, for
they exchanged papers after signing
and repeated the action. So these
were the papers which at the last
hour Orme had restored; and this was
the scene which his action had made
possible-all for the sake OF a girl.
And when the last pen-stroke had
been completed and the seated men
raised their eyes and looked at each
other-looked at each other with the
responsible glance of men who have
made history-at that moment the girl
Whispered to Orme: Come" and ST.
ilently he followed her back to the
room in which he had first awaited
lher.
"Oh, Girl" he whispered. as she
turned and faced him, "Oh, Girl, am
iso glad!"
She smiled. Please wait for a mo-
rment"
When she had disappeared he re-
pictured the scene they had just wit
messed. With all its absence of pomp.
it had left with him an impression
that could never be effaced.
Again the girl appeared in the door
way and leaning on her arm was her
father. Orme stepped forward. The
jsecretary smiled and extended his
hand.
Mr.. Orme," he said. I'VE owe you
much. My daughter has told me
something of your experienced. YcN
may be sure that l had no notion.
when this affair began, that she would
have to envelop herself and others IN
80 much mystery. but now that all has
ended well. l can only be thankful.
He seated himself. You will excuse
me; am not quite strong yet. though
las 1 might say. very convalescent."
The girl was leaning on the back oi
her fathers chair. Tell father the
story. won't you. please?" she asked
So Orme quickly narrated the serie
of events that began with his stroi
along State street the afternoon of tn;
day before. 1T doesn't sound true
does it?' he concluded.
But the marked fve-dollar bill will
always be evidence of its TRUTH" sale
the girl; and then. with a suggestion
of adorable shyness. I'VE must go an.
redeem that bill sometime"
The secretary was pondering. HI
had listened with manifest interest
interrupting now and then with ques
tions that helped to bring out salien
points. At the report of the converse
ton between Alcatrante and the ia
panese concerning the commission
on ships. he had leaned forward witt
especial attention. And now. after /,
few moments Of thought, he said:
THE Japanese minister we can han
die. AS for Alcatrante. l must see II
1t that he is recalled-and Poritol."
Poor little Mr. Poritol!" exclame,
the girl. do you think he is still
,kneeling in that feld?"
Possibly" said Orme smiling. wv
will look to see when we go to redeem
the bill"
Il think. Mr. Orme," said the secre
tary. that l may fairly give you a In
tie clearer insight into the importanc
lof the papers which you rescued 70
us. You have seen stories Of the r,
mors Of negotiations with some fol
eign power?"
YES" said Orme.
But. perhaps you have not know
Iof the secret but aggressive polio