The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-03-24

pIaCtlcdily lOOl-pIOOi' illb Hhdl bilaih
had created a sensation, and he was on
the eve Of selling his invention 20 the
government when he was killed and
his plans stolen.
"Circumstantial evidence pointed TO
AN international spy named Ekstrom-
AdOiph Ekstrom, once chief OF the avi-
alton corps of the German army, cash
Tered for general blackguardism with
a suspicion OF treason 10 boot ROW
ever, Ekstrom kept under cover, and
presently the plans turned up IN the
German war office, That wag big
thing for Germany, alreacY supreme
witS her dlrigibes, the acquisition Of
the Huysman stabilizator promised her
ten years lead over the world In the
held OF aeroplanes.
Now. yesterday, EGstrOm came TO
the surface in London with those self
same plans to sell to England. Chance
throw him my way, and he mlstoOk
me for the man he'd expected to meet
Downing streets secret agent Well
no matter how got the plans from
him and brought them over with me,
meaning to turn them over to France,
to whom, by rights, they belong"
Without consideration" the girl in
quired shrewdly.
Not exactly. / had meant to make
no profit of the afair-Tm a bit
/ squeamish about tainted mOuey-but
under present conditions. if France in
sists on rewarding me with safe con
duct out Of the country, | shan't re.
fuse IT, DO you approve?"
She nodded earnestly. 1T would be
worse than criminal to return them to
Ekstrom."
That's my view of the matter"
But these?" The girl rested her
hand upon the jewel case
Those go back 10 Nine. Omber. She
has a home here in Parts that / know
well. In fact, the sole reason why I
didn't steal them here was that she
left for England Unexpectedly, just az
| was all set to strike. Now | purpose
to use my knowledge of her house to
restore the jewels without risk Of fall
ing into the hands of the police. That
will be an easy matter. And that
brings me to the one great favor |
would beg of you"
She gave him a look so unexpected.
iy kind that it staggered him. But he
had himself we'll in hand.
You can't leave Paris now before
morning-thanks to my having over
slept" he continued. There's no hon
est way know to raise money before
morning opens the pawnshops. But
I'm hoping that won't be necessary;
I'm trusting l can arrange matters for
us without going to that extreme.
Meanwhile-you agree that these Jew
els must be returned?"
"Of course" she affirmed gently
"Then-will you accompany me
when I replace them? There won't be
the slightest danger l promise you
that. Indeed, it would be more hazard,
Gus for you to walt for me elsewhere
while | attended to the matter alone
And I'd like you to be convinced OF my
sincerity"
Don't you think you can trust me
for that as well?" she asked with a
fash Of humor.
Trust you!"
ITO believe. Mr.. Lanyard" she told
him earnestly, q do belieye!"
You make me very happy" he said
but I'd like you to see for yourself
And I'd be glad not to have to fret
about your safety IN my absence. AS q
bureau Of espionage, PopinOt's brigade
Of Apaches are without a peer in Eu'
rope. I'm positively afraid to leave
you alone"
THAT is your sole reason for ask,
ing this of me?" she insisted, eying
him steadily.
He colored, and boggled his answer
Il cant tell you," he admitted in the
end.
Why can't you tell me?"
He stared at her miserably. I've nc
right. In spite of all I've said. in
spite of the faith you SO generously
promise me, in your eyes must still
figure as a thief, a liar, an impostor-
self-confessed. Men aren't remade by
mere protestations, nor even by their
own efforts, in an hour, or a day. or a
week. But give me a year If can
live a year in honesty, and earn my
bread, and so prove my strength
then, perhaps, / might find the coUr.
age, the-the effrontery to tell you
why ! want your good opinion. Now
I've said far more than meant or had
any right to. l hope" he ventured
pleadingly, you're not offended"
Only an instant longer could she
maintain her direct and unflinching
look. Then his meaning would nc
more be ignored. Her lashes fell. a
tide of crimson flooded her face, and
with a quick movement, pushing her
chair little from the table, she turned
away from him. But she said moth
/ ing.
He remained as he had been, bend
ing eagerly toward her
And in the long minute that elapsed
before either spoke again, both became
oddly conscious of the silence brood
ing in that lonely little house, of their
isolation from the world, Of their com
mon peril and mutual dependence.
tTO BE CONTINUEDD
Building Island.