Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-27
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=, tutD - IA.Ad Afa,A l. Innuapy
Mr.. Arrelsford AGAIN Interposes.
CHAPTER XII.

evidently busy that night. Finally
there came a pause In the dispatches
coming and going, and Foray remem-
>ering her, looked over toward tho
pther end of the table where she sat
rs that message OF yours ready
yet, Miss Mitford?" he asked.
Yes" said Caroline, rising and fold
lng It. "Of course you have got TO
cake It,"
"Certainly," returned the operator
smiling. III it's to be sent, have to
yend it"
well, here it Is then" said the
girl. extending the folded paper which
Lieutenant Foray took and uncere-
moniously opened.
"Oh!" exclaimed Caroline, quickly
snatching the paper from his hand, Il
didn't tell you you could read it."
Forsy stared at her IN ama2ement.
What do you want me 70 do with .
itY'
81 want you to send It,"
We'll. how am ] going to send 1t il
don't read itY"
do you mean to say that" began
the girl, who had evidently forgotten
If she had ever known--how tele-
grams were sent
81 mean to say that l have got to
spell out every word on the key. Didn't
you know that"
ooh, did, of course-I-but ! had
forgotten" said Caroline, dsmayod by
this unexpected development.
els there any harm in my reading
the message that have to send?"
why l wouldn't have you see it
Dor the world My graciousl"
rs it as bad as that Miss Mitford?"
he said laughing.
Dad! 1t isn't bad at all, but
wouldn't have it get all over town for
anything"
ut will never get out of this office,
Miss Milford" returned Foray COM
posedly. I'VE are not allowed to men
ton anything that goes on in here"
You wouldn't mention it?-
Certainly not All sorts Of private
messages go through here, and"
DO they"
Every day Now if that telegram
is important"
Important, well I should think 1t
was. It is the most important"
Then I reckon you had better trust
It to me-" said Lieutenant Foray.
YES" said Caroline, bushilg a
vivid crimson, Il reckon l had"
She handed him the telegram. He
opened 1t. glanced at it, bit his lips
10 control his emotion, and then his
hands reached for the key.
''Oh, stop" cried Caroline.
Foray looked at her, his eyes full OF
amusement, his whole body shaking
with suppressed laughter, which she
was too wrought up to perceive.
Wait till-I-I don't want to be
here while you spell out every world
couldn't stand that"
Caroline had evidently forgotten
that the spelling would be In the
Morse code, and that 1t would be
about as Ineligible to her as San
skirt The lieutenant hundred her
and waited while Caroline turned to-
ward the door and summoned Martha
to her. She did not leave the room
however, for her way was barred by
a young private in gray uniform. The
newcomer looked hastily at her and
the old negress, stopped by them, and
asked them very respectfully to wait 6
moment He then approached Foray
who impatiently waited until he could
eend the message. He saluted hin
and handed him written order, ant
then crossed to the other side of Thu
room. A glance put Foray In posses
sion Of the contents of this order. II
rose to his feet and approached Care
line still standing by the door.
Miss Milford" he said.
Eyes"
II don't understand this, but here !
an order that has just come from tn
secret service department directin
me to hold up any dispatch you ma
try to send
Hold back my telegram"
Eyes, Miss Milford" and Fora
looked very embarrassed as he stare
again at the order and then from tn
young girl TO the orderly, "and the
isn't the worst of it"
What else Is there?" asked tn
girl, her eyes big with apprehension
why, this man has orders to TAX
back your message with him to III
secret service Office"
Take back my message," erie
Caroline.
There must be some mistake" a
swered Foray, but that's what the O
der says"
ITO whom does it say to take
back" asked the girl, growing mo
and more indignant
ITO Mr.. Arrelsford."
'Do you mean to tell me that tn
order Is for that man to take my d
patch back to Mr.. Arrelsford"
Eyes, Miss Milford" returned Lie
tenant Foray.
"And does it say anything in the
about what | am going to do in t
meantime?" asked the girl indignant
Nothing"
"Well, that is too bad" return
Caroline ominously.
IT am sorry this has occurred, Nj
Milford" said the lieutenant earne
ly, "but the orders are signed by t
head of the secret service departing
and you will see that l have
choice"
Don't worry about it, Lieutena
Forsy," said Caroline calmly, there
naad oP uour faoIino cor,-y lacoY