South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-11
Tea Table Talks
BY May De Witt TaImage
WIDE AWAKE AND wArCHFUn.

WIDE AWAKE AND WATCHFUD.
Her eyes were ablaze with excite
ment as she seated herself in front
Of the fire, and took up a cup Of tea,
which she slipped as she told her
story. II could hardly wait TO get
here to tell you of an exciting time
! had last night she said. Il would
not believe it could happen in New
York if it had not happened to me,
but it proves TO me that Uncle Sam
is 'On the job
ITO begin at the beginning. day
before yesterday while motoring
with two friends in a closed car, 1
was told one of those spy stories
that are so rife at present. 1t was
thriller, as it was supposed 10 have
happened right here in one Of our
hotels. Naturally incredulous about
so much that 1 hear. l only repeated
the story to my sister.
Last night after o'clock the
telephone rang and l was told that
a man whose name 1 had never
heard wanted to see me. I said for
him to write his business. as 1 was
busy. He insisted, however. and
when absolutely refused to see him,
he said that he must see me at once,
as he was from police headquarters.
That sounded not only alarming. but
interesting as well. for it had never
been my privilege to meet any Of
that kind before. What was my as
constituent, however, when two keen
eyed men -ushered in. one Of
whom said: you and a Mrs. --,
were lunching at the Hotel --
yesterday and heard two spies plan
ming" Amazed, I said, II know Of
no one by that name. nor have I
lunched at that hotel for years"
Thinking I was trying TO hide
something. they questioned and as
serted things. I told them I had
heard that story only the day before
had repeated IL TO only one person,
as 1 thought 1T one Of the many
stories false or true that were cir
culating about. But how did my
name become associated with IL as
chief witness" 1 asked. That they
could not tell, nevertheless IN less
/
IL that story had gone straight UP TO
headquarters for investigation. 1t
made me feel as if I heard an echo
Of the intrigue Of war. 1t made me
realize our officials in authority are
vide awake. Does any one say the
United States is not alert and keen.
Was not that quick work?
II recalled an incident that hap
pened the winter I was living in
Germany. I was sitting with a
group OF friends when one Of the
women was called away By the an
nouncement that a policeman want
ed 20 speak 10 her We waited anx-
iOusly for her return, wondering
what she had done that the law
should be after her. She returned
with a smile on her face. Would
you believe it," she asked. that po-
licefnan said when you We're in Ber-
lin years ago. YOU gave your age.
which does not correspond with the
age you gave yesterday Well. I
told him when 7 was in Germany
years ago I was sensitive about nv
age so I said I was younger than I
really was. Now I am really old, and
I don't care who knows II. so yes
terday I gave my right age"
7 have never forgotten that Incl
/ dent 70 which I was witness. for II
/ seemed such a wonderful system.
But who would think that right here
/ an New York we have a watchful
/ system % our own. II made me go
20 bed realizing I could sleep in
peace. FOR the United States govern
ment is awake