The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-24

ninss.'
nut that's al ended now. I'm the
last OF tho Channings-and q g1fa
can't Tight"
PAR hesitated little. II mustn't
sail under false eoloFs." he filtered.
THE truth isl resigned my commis-
sion last month"
''The deuce you did" Rodney COM
mented. Then I'll 90 bail know
Why"
Patrta turned curlously to him.
don always had a genius for de-
tective work. and army service Offers
4 man mighty little opportunity to
exercise anything like that" Rodney
deliberately ignored PARIS movement
Of protest. III Donald Parr Is out Of
the army. it's q pipe he did 1t solely
to enter the secret service and become
his cOuntry's faithful sleuth! En-.
Don-what?"
III 30. wouldn't it be highly indis-
Greet Of me to admit it,"
whether or no." Patria came to his
rescue-"can anything prevent your
coming to tea this afternoon1- The
Claiming cottage-you know-neae
with back to her, 4 little man Of fur
tive presence. oddly like the Japanese
whom Kitchener had bOwled over In
the woods that morning.
She had hardly appeared by the
window when the man In evening
dress nodded pleasantly, as II termi-
mating casual conversation. and the
other stepped, instantly yet without
apparent haste. down to the lawn and
quickly disappeared amid the shad-
ows of shrubbery.
The incident made little impression
upon her. But she was relieved to
see the remaining guest turn and leis.
urely Saunter away.
AS he rounded the farther corner
Of the house, a shaft of light from an.
other window identified his profile,
Enthusiastically as Baron HurOki's.
A light fOotstep sounded behind her;
she reused in dismay, striving to calm
a heart in panic.
"Mees Channing?"
Patria ali but giggled with the reac-
ton from her fear lest Captain Parr
had found her there, in mood all too
melting.
els it you, Senior de Lima? How
fortunate! haven't had real chance
to speak to you tonight, but now"
Patria was startled to find De Lima
so close beside her; his breath famed
her cheek.
"Mees Channing-Patria- L love
you!"
"Ah, but please"
"NO-listen to me. beg you will
marry me. an mad about you"
"You are mad indeed. Senior de
Lima. to imagine I'd ever marry any
one but an American"
"YOu will forget that-in my arms!"
Patria uttered slight cry. De
Lima had taken unto himself one OF
her hands and was covering it with
kisses.
AS IL in answer to that cry, she
heard De Lima's half sm0thered ex-
clamation of annoyance. felt her hand
abruptly released, aud discovered Cap
tain Parr standing almost between
them.
'Parlon, Miss Claiming. but this is
my dance, isn't it?"
She laughed little, almost hyster.
ically: us it, Captain Parr? Why, yes,
Of course it is! How stupid Of me!
You will forgive me. Senior de Lima!
The Mexican recovered admirably,
stepping back with bow.
The music ceased; their flying feet
were stilled; Patria awOke as from
dream. A faint suggestion Of APP
plause made her appreciate that they
had had the floor practically to them
selves.
Her embarrassment was such that
she never knew just what 1t was she
said to Captain Parr as they hastily.
by way Of another window. sought the
refuge Of the veranda.
She never. indeed. could quite re-
call what passed between them in the
course Of the next few minutes.
A footman found them with the in
formation that Patria was wanted on
the telephone: Long distance calling
from New York.
A little dazed by the conflict Of her
senses, she responded mechanically.
A moment later she was In the T.
brary-quite BY herself-with q re-
ceiver to her ear. Then q voice fal.
tered through the night, voice most
clear, yet strangely faint, iterating her
uame-"Patrla"-over and over.
She managed to make the speaker
understand that she was Patria.
"Peter Ripley speaking-your guar
dian. The nations welfare rests with
sou. And am dying"
On the echo Of that last word the
report Of a pistol shot reverberated
over the wire, so loudly apd seemingly
so near at hand that it might have
been fred in the room adjoining that
wherein Patria stood.
Almost instantly it was echoed by
another report.