The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-06-27
CHAPTER VnI-contInued.

port 10 the front AT once.
CHAPTER VIll-contlnued.
Are those women in there yet?
he asked peremptorily.
YES"
Where is the key?"
Mrs. Varney left the room and wen
to the door.
1T is on this side" she said.
viii you lock it, please?"
The woman softly turned the ke!
In the lock, and returned TO the draw
ing room without a sound. AS sht
did so the noise of the opening of ont
OF the long French windows in thu
front of the room attracted the atten
ton of both of them. Edith Varne!
entered the room nervously ant
stepped forward. She began breath
lessly, in a low, feverishly excited
voice.
Mammal"
Mrs. Varney hurried toward her anC
caught her outstretched hand.
Il want to speak to you," whispered
4he girl.
I'VE can't watt" said Arrelsford
stepping forward.
You must" persisted the girl. She
turned to her mother again, Il can't
do 1t, can't! Oh, let me go!"
But, my dear" said her mother
you were the one who suggested
that"
But l was sure then, and now"
HAS he confessed?" asked Mrs
Varney.
mo, no." answered the girl with a
glance of fear and apprehension to.
ward Arrelsford, who stood staring
menacingly at her elbow.
Don't speak so loud" whispered
the secret service agent.
Edith" said her mother soothing
ly, what is It that has changed you"
She waited for an answer, but none
came. The girls face had been very
pale, but it now flushed suddenly with
color
Dear" said her mother, you must
tell me-"
Edith motioned Mr.. Arrelsford away.
He went with ill-concealed impatience
to the far side of the room and waited
nervously to give the signal, anxious
lest something should miscarry be-
cause of this unfortunate unwilling
ness Of the girl to play her part.
What is it, dear? whispered her
mother.
Mamma" said Edith, she forced
the words out, "he-he-loves me-"
"Impossible!" returned Mrs. Var
ney, controlling her voice so that the
other occupant of the room could not
hear.
Yes" faltered the girl, "and L
some one else must do it."
you don't mean," said Mrs. Var
ney, that you return"
But Mr.. Arrelsford's patience had
been strained to the breaking point.
He did not know what interchange
was going on between the two women,
but it must be stopped. He came for
ward resolutely. The girl saw his
determination in his face.
mo, no." she whispered, mot that,
not now!"
She shrank away from him as she
spoke.
But, Edith" said Mrs. varney,
more reason now than ever"
81 don't know what you are talking
about" said MIR. Arrelsford, but we
must go on"
But why-why are you doing this?"
asked Edith, pleading desperately.
Because l please" snapped out the
secret service agent, and it was quite
evident that he was pleased. Some
of his satisfaction was due to the fact
that he had by his own efforts at last
succeeded in unearthing desperate
plot, and had his hands on the plot
ters. That he was thereby serving his
country and demonstrating his fitness
for his position of responsibility and |
trust also added to his satisfaction,
but this was greatly enhanced by the |
fact that Thorne was his rival, and he |
could make a guess that he was sue
cessful rival in love as well as in |
war.
you have never pleased before"
persisted Edith. Hundreds of sus-
picious cases have come up-hundreds
OF men have been run down-but you
preferred to sit at your desk in the
war department, uptD-"
Edith! Edith" interposed her
mother.
81 can't discusc that now" said Ar
mo. we VIII not discuss it. will
have nothing more to do with the af-
fair"
You won't" whispered Arrelsford
Don't say that" urged Mrs. Var
aey.
"Nosning, nothing, at ALL" said
ESalth. 4