The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-08-24


 For months to come he would continue to serve in order that no suspicion might rest upon him.
 Ten minutes later Thompson. alias Tommy the Dude, alias "ChR' Tom and wanted for just such jobs in many police departments of the world. glid- ed out the rear of the house, scurrying across the moon spIashed parade ground and losing himself in devious windings among the officers homes upon the military reservation. Slip. ping down a narrow side street. lined with disreputable houses that leaned at drunken angles toward one another, the filthy windows winlking sblearfIy to their neighbors. he paused before the largest of these places. His hand reached toward the bell pull From some distant part of the house came back an echo. Slowly. very slowly. the door swung open, swallowing up the figure Uf the thief butler And there the butler and his employer made their plans.
 General sumpter Love, D. s. A., smiled toIerantly to himself as he over heard the low voices of his aid and Lucille coming from the little cozy cor ner in which the young lieutenant had hidden his sweetheart away from the avid dancers who would have taken her away from him. Then he sighed heavily as he realized he stood on the threshold of another change; that the courtship of his aid had finally been successful and another household would soon be occupied in Officers row, leaving him alone in this great house.
 He wondered if all fathers felt this way, wondered if he could gladly give his daughter to another man and be happy watching that other remold her world. And the time was so short That very boat in the harbor now might bear the senate's confirmation of young Gibson's promotion to the rank and pay of captain. The two men had agreed that the marriage should wait on that and the general had to admit that the aid had lived up to his word. But, then. Gibson always did that
 Again the general shook his shoul-. ders, striding briskly to his private of flee. Only in work could he get relief from these fits of depression. And there was always work to be done for the little brown people loved their fighting, were never satisfied with peace and quiet. He pressed the an nunciator on his desk, curtly command ing the soldier who responded Ho send Lieutenant Gibson to him.
 General Love permitted a smile to play about the corners of his stern mouth assthe rustic of woman's skirt reached his ears simultaneously with the click of his aids boots. Game a brief whispered conversation outside the door, then the aid stood upon the sA 1.s behind him in an attitude of mock timidity The old man bit his mus tache viciousIy. then smiled broadly.
 We'll he demand fumb1ing EsNong the papers that filtered his desk, what have you got to say for yourself, young wonan?''
 [ Lucille slipped across the floor, twin ing pair of white arms about her fa-. ther's neck, the soft velvet of her | cheek smoothing his brown Ieathery ! one. It was the way she had coaxed him when child. the way she had never outgrown or known to fail. 4Ifs about Dicks promotion. dad.'' she whispered Ut hasn't come on the
 Empress, and that means wait at least another >4 month. If there was any F chance of the, senate's failing to con firm it we wouldn't bother you, but a
 month is such long time, and-and Dick has some money now''- 'tYes, yes, yes.'' the general retorted grumy, twinkle in his eye that be- lied the tone. But from what I've l seen tonight and the last week since Harley started his aerop1ane maneu- f, vers I thought there might be some
 change in your plans.''
 Lucille flushed prettily, her eyes
 fashing'a mocking smile at the stal-
 wart young officer, who stood now with her. holding her hand. MT. Harleys very nice man, she defended. ..even if Dick does get jeal- l ous Besides, a girl has to be amused
 somehow when busy old generals keep their officers working all day and l night
 1 .sI,ll shinlx< it over, dear.'' the gener-
 al said kindly, ''inmediately I get i through with the orders that came to- night. lieutenant he said brdskly,
 you put the. orders and papers from Washington in the safe, as I told you? ? Will you get them for me?' The aid flushed a bit, his fingers l playing at the gold strap at his side.
 .Why-why, general'' he stammer- ed, ssI left the combination memoran-
 dunn in my room. Lucille was wait | ing and''-
 s.Get it.'' snapped the old man. The 1 slightest infraction of military system touched his heart on the raw. He studied his aid curiously when 1 he returned and began fun bling with
 the knobs of the safe. The door open ed, and the lieutenant's hand auto i maticaIly reached inside toward the
 place where he had put the packet l An expression of incredulous dismay
 was upon his face as he drew out a bundle Of banknotes.
 tsWhy, I don't remember these!" he
 cried. Then with an expression of re- lief You have already been here.
 sir?,'
 No" General Loves tone was per