The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-07

Il 1H<rat- 8
Inei1 and coasl lall4 =. beswccn them,
Then Brent strualea over /. the man.
ltla,MAce.' and leaned his, elbow on Il.
sfpesAking to her over his SHOULDER.
Il suppose. yo,, want me to explain
about this afternoonN" he asked.
| No: at least. that will come into
the general explanation. that's all.
Chris. what's the matter"
"Well. If 1t comes to that. what's the
matter with your fatherA say. do
iyou mind pipe
NO" answered Molly a little crear-
Ny. He could think about pipes when
she was SO obviously unhappy:
my nerves want soothing" cx-
planned Brent as he lit UP. II say.
what has your father got into his
head now"
20, he's worried
"Well. he worried me. I can tell you"
"You know how funny father IL
sometimes" said Molly lamely.
eyes. it's q humor all his own.
What's the latest?"
well. It's too absurd for words
really" began Molly. forcing herself
to speak naturally. laughing n little.
She cur'led herself up in the big chair
again and looked up at Brent under
her lashos as she half lay there. In
the glow OF the shaded lights sno
looked very childish and pathetlc;.lly
small. q little air Of worldly wisdom
that she had adopted sitting qua
on her.
Brent felt all the best In his love for
her well up as he looked. The tempta :
ton came over him to throw every
thing aside. to tell her the truth. 20
that she would trust him again That
is to say. the wish that 1t were pos
sible to do 80 came ove- HIM with
almost unbearable poiGnancy. but The
idea was almost too remote to be a
Temptation. It merely presented itscIf
as a thing that would have been rest
full and comforting could ne only have
done It.
lie did not 60 near her and sit on
the arm of the chair as she had been
confident nc must. but still stood In
front OF the fireplace. as man always
NoVS WITH vi VIZ ueieuStSe
whats It all about:" ne asked.
well. it's about spies. He's got
them on the brain. poor dear"
Spies? Poor chap" commented
Frent, drawing at his pipe.
He even suspects" continued Molly,
that there's one In this house. Just
imaglne!"
by love. you don't say so? say.
| Molly. that really funny. When did
| the old dear think Of that"
''Of course you--you don't think it's
posaihle, do you Chris"
Il don't know. Everything's posi-.
BILE. I suppose. but I should say it was
excessively unlikely. Whatever's put
the idea into his head"
Charles Sanderson.'
Nonsense"
mo. no. don't mean that ne sus-
poets him. but Mr.. Sanderson has lost
some very imnortant documents. some
thing belonging to the admiralty"
| Careless heggar. that's all ! can
say"
when say lost it," went on Molly.
II mean It's, disappeared. It's been
stolen. down here"
We'll. Of course. It's dashed awk.
ward for him." answered Chris. "The
admiralty won't like that at AL. When
did he miss it,"
| II don't know. Some time today.
suppose. lie told father about 1t
after dinner
| Chris began to chuckle. I'm bet |
know who your father thinks 1t is;
Dear Obj F'raulein Schroeder"
No. he doesn't suspect Yrauloln,
neither: does Mr.. sahderson.", I,
Fritz. l SUPPOSE Il. '34sr *
Ne. nor Fritz" fsaid Molly imra
tientiy. nor Miss Myrtle, nor MS
mother. nor me. o, Chris, can't you
guess?" ~
Brent stared at her with HIS pipe In
his hand and his mouth open. Thc,
slow smile seemed to beam out ali
over him.
You don't mean to say It's me-. he
asked. IA
by Jove. that priceless. How
pleased the old dear must be, because
hes got the knife into me anyway. l
say. that the greatest compliment I
have ever had paid me. No ones. ever
thought me brainy enough BEFORE" and
he continued chuckling. with pleasure
after he put his pipe back in his
| mouth
They, suspect Mrs. Lee. too.' added
Molly. watching him narrowly.
The laughter sank away from Brent,
leaving him very grave "Eh. whs., -"
he asked
Chris. you must admit you've let
father have some excuse for thinking
OF you, because Of your not doing
| anything. mean"
20, Understand that, right enough,
but why drag in; Mrs. u. ee?"
'Thats only raesAwork on their part
so far" answered MeIy. hut i"
she paused neryousb, then, went on
y can prove she's a spy."
|, Look here. Molly. do yon know yo,,
are saying very serious, things: You
| must he. Careful
90 know: It's serious enough tn
me. too. Chris. know you are In her
power aa
Chris seized the opportunity to roar
with laughter.
| MY darling child" he said. nave
you been reading a penny novelette,.