Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-12-11

and looked searchingly over the oe-
cupants of his car.
Almost the first person his eyes
lighted upon was 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 q moment. Oh, to
be sure. he had risen to find out who
had maltreated his bag. Then
Good Heavens! Holton's hands flew
to his head after the most approved
manner Of tragedy. and for 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
rifled. Now. then. Miss La Tossa had
been designated by men who should
know whereof they spoke as 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 magazine, he set
tied back In his seat and tried to lose
himself in a serial story. For a while
he kept his mind fairly well upon the
tale. but eventually he found his
thoughts straying to the girl in front
of 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 II it we're 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 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. mfr. Holton!" she cried.
THE very same." laughed Holton.
'apd 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 check.
Where are you goinE?" he inquired
at length.
ITO Tampa and thence to my home"
she responded.
"Oh!" Holton shifted doubtfuliy.
I'm going to Tampa. too"
Really"
"T trust II ! can be OF any service
you will avail yourself of my pres
enee, Miss La Tossa." he added some
what formally.
Thank you. Won't you sit down?
| That's one service you can perform
Holton seated himself obediently.
"Beastly raw and windy. wasn't It.
today?"
Yes"
Then she laughed at him unatfest-
edly.
What are you laughing at?"
"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
vious disadvantage, he changed the
subject 81 had the most curious
thing happen to me on this train" hs
went on.
"Now," she laughed. "yon promise
to be really entertaining. What was
It? Do tell mel"
1T boarded the car" said Holton,
"aud fell asleep" She giggled. and
he raised his hand impatiently. II
| 7
cal cut a hole in my bag and rum
mayed through the contents"
He glanced at her sharply. But
her face revealed nothing except po-
lite concern.
Indeed" she remarked.
Nothing was stolen" continued the
officer, and cannot imagine why the
thing was done"
IL think, perhaps, ! can tell you,"
she said calmly. You were attached
| to the Scorpion. She had been testing
out some new torpedo. You came to
| washington on the eve of war. and
now you hurry away again to Tampa.
| Certain persons were desirous to know
| whether your departure concerned the
Scorpion. and your bag was searched
for orders or other writings that might
throw light upon the subject"
You are frank" Holton looked
at her admirirgly. But how do you
happen TO know all this?'
Because I'm a spy.
Holton's face assumed the color OF
a perfectly ripened tomato.
"You-you-"
Her hearty laughter brought him TO
a pause.
How astonished you seem to be-"
She regarded him humorously. why"
ohe added. "I really believe he thinks
now | cut open his bag
Holton brought himself up with q