Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1913-12-17

cupants OF his car.
Almost the first person his eyes
lighted upon was a girl in the section
| diagonally opposite him. One glance
at her profile was sufficient to send
Holton stumbling and gasping back
into his seat.
The girl was Miss La Tossa
He thought for a moment oh, to
be sure, he had risen to find out who
had maltreated his bag. Then
Good Heavensl Holton's hands flew
to his head after the most approved
manner of tragedy, and for a moment
he tried to dismiss the surging
thoughts from his mind. But no. the
facts were large and luminous and not
to be denied and these facts were as
follows: He had gone asleep in the
car, his bag had been cut open and
rifed Now, then, Miss La Tossa had
been designated by men who should
know whereof they spoke as a spy.
Miss La Tossa was the only other
person in the car-he paused. He
Just would not think it, that was all.
So, picking up a magazine, he set
tied back in his seat and tried to lose
himself in q serial story. For a while
he kept his mind fairly we'll upon the
tale, but eventually he found his
thoughts straying to the girl in front
or him. Eventually he flung the mag
azine aside and shifted about uneasily.
After all, was he playing the game
as he should? Silent contempt was
all right if it were only noticed. But
silent contempt when the person
against whom it is directed does not
feel it, is hardly a satisfactory course
to pursue
With this thought, Holton arose
from his seat and, with a self-conscious
smile, hustled up to Miss La Tossa as
though he had just discovered her
presence.
Why, OF all things!" he exclaimed.
How do you do, Miss La Tossa!"
Her book fell to the floor and she
| looked up. "Mr. Holton!" she cried.
THE very same" laughed Holton,
and may l ask what strange circum-
stances have brought us together
again."
Il was just going to ask you that"
! Holton looked at her curiously, hard
| ly knowing what reply to make, after
such a check.
Where are you going?" he inquired
at length
TO Tampa and thence to my home"
! she responded.
oh" Holton shifted doubtfully.
I'm going to Tampa. too"
Really"
Il trust - ! can be of any service
| will
ence, Miss La Tossa," he added some
what formally.
Thank you. Won't you sit down?
That's one service you can perform
talk to me; I'm dreadfully bored"
Holton seated himself obediently.
"Beastly raw and windy, wasn't it,
today"
Yes"
Then she laughed at him unaffect-
eddy.
What are you laughing att"
AT your brilliancy. Oh, you are
mastery! And yet" she added, they
told me you were so clever"
Il cannot help what people say" he
began, and then, impatient at his OBJ
| yious disadvantage. he changed the
CuIlOuS
thing happen to me on this train" he
went on
Now" she laughed, you promise
to be really entertaining. What was
it? Do tell mel"
81 bearded the car" said Holton.
and fsD asleep" She giggled. and
he raised his hand impatiently. 81
fell sleep. and while / slept some ras-
cal cut hole in my bag and rum
mayed through the contents"
He glauved at her sharply. But
her face revealed nothing except DO
lite concerr
Indeed" rhe remarked
Nothing ras stolen. continued the
officer, "an1 cannot imagine why the
thing was dcDc"
~ think Perhaps. ] can tell you.
. she said ca'rly you were attached
70 the Scorpion She had been testing
/ out some new torpedo You came TO
/ Washington or the eve OF war. and
. now you hurrv away again 20 Tampa
| Certain persons we're desirous to know
. whether your departure concerned the
. Scorpion and yoN- bag was searched
for orders or othar writings that might
throw light upon che subject"
You are frank" HOlton looked
az her admiringly But how do you
happen TO know all this?2
Because I'm a spy"
Hoiton's face assumed The color Of
. a perfectly ripened tomato.
You you"
Her hearty laughter brought him 10
a pause
How astonishod you seem TO bel"
She regarded him humorously. why"
she added y really believe he thinks
now cut open bis bag.
Hoiton brought himself I'D with
Jerk
Miss La Tossa," be said, Y bow 70