Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-06-01


aloud, running his eyes rapidly down
the lines of the form. Right. Now,
captain, when my orderly comes
A subaltern entered and saluted.
This is Captain Woodhouse." Gen
eral Crandall indicated Woodhouse,
who had risen. Kindly conduct him
to Major Bishop, who will assign him
to quarters. Captain Woodhouse, we
Lady Crandall and Twill expect
you at Government House soon to
make your bow over the teaeup-one
of Lady Crandall's infexible rules for
new recruits, you know. Good day,
sir."A
Woodhouse, out in the free air again,
drew In a long breath and braced
back his shoulders. He accompanied
the subaltern over the trails on the
Rock to the quarters of Major Bishop,
chief signal officer, under whom he
was to be junior in command. But
one regret marked his first visit to
Government House-he had not caught
even a glimpse Of the little person
calling herself Jane Gerson, buyer.
But he had missed by a narrow mar
gin. Piloted by Lady Crandall, Jane
had left the vaulted breakfast room
for the larger and lighter library,
which Sir George had converted to the
purpose of an Office. This room was a
sort of holy of holes with Lady Gran
dali, to be invaded If the presiding
genius could be caught mapping or
lulled to complaisance. This morning
she had the important necessity of I'M
DISTRACTED light, not a general COM
modify about Government House, to
urge in defense of proclamation. For
her guest carried under her arm a
sheaf of plans-by sterling architects
of women's fancies-and the imp of
envy would not allow the governors
wife to have peace until she had de-
voured every pattern. She paused In
mock horror at the threshold of her
husbands sanctum.
"But, George, dear, you should be
out by this time, you know" Lady
Crandall expostulated. Miss Gerson
and l have something-oh, tremen-
dously important-to do here" She
made a sly gesture of ~concealing the
bundle of stiff drawing paper she car
ried. General Crandall, who had risen
at the arrival of the two invaders,
made a show at capturing the plans
his wife held behind her back. Jane
dubbed laughter at the spectacle of
so exalted a military lion at play. The
general possessed himself of the roll,
drew a curled scroll from it and
gravely studied it.
Miss Gerson," he said, with DELHI
Grafton, "this looks to me like a plan
Of Battery B. l am surprised that
you should violate the hospitality of
Government House by doing spy work
from its bedroom windows"
Foolish! You've got that upside
down for n thing" Lady Crandall
chided, "and, besides, it's only a chart
of what the lady of Government House
hopes Don to wear If she can get the
goods"
"You see, General Crandall, I'm at
lacking Government House at its weak
est point Jane laughed. Been here
less than twelve hours, and already
the most important member of the
garrison has surrendered"
'The American sahib, Reynolds"
chanted Jaimihr Khan from the double
doors. and almost at once the breezy
consul burst into the room. He saluted
all three with an expansive gesture of
the hands.
Morning, governor! Morning, Lady
Crandall, and same to you, Miss Ger
son. Dear, dear! This is going to be
a bad day for me, and it's just start
ed" The little man was wound up
like a sidewalk top, and he ran on
without stopping:
General Sherman might have got
some real force into his remarks about
war If he'd had a job like mine. Miss
Gerson-news! Heard from the Sax
onia. Be in harbor some time tomor-
row and leave at 6 sharp following
morning" Jane clapped her hands.
1--WE wired for accommodations for all
Of you. Just got the answer. Rotten
accommodations; but, thank heaven,
l won't be able to hear what you say
about me when you're at seal"
Anything will do" Jane broke in.
"I'm not particular. l want to sail
that's ALL"
The consul looked f1ustered.
"Um! That's what l came to see
you about, General C%randall." He
jerked his head around toward the
governor with a birdlike pertness.
"What are you going to do with this
young lady, sir?" Jane waited the. an
swer breathlessly.
"Why-um-really, as far as we're
concerned" Sir George answered slow
~, "we'd be glad to have her stop here
indefinitely. Don't you agree, Helen?"
"Of course, but
tits this way" the consul interrupt
ed Lady Crandall. Eve arranged to
get Miss Gerson aboard, provided, of