Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-29

You know how funny father is some
times" said Molly lamely.
Yes. it's humor all his own. What's
his latest?"
Well; it's too absurd for words:
to speak naturally. laughing a little.
She curled herself up in the big chair
again and looked up at Brent under
her lashes as she half lay there In the
glow Of the shaded lights she looked
very childish and pathetically small. a
little air Of worldly wisdom that she
had adopted sitting quantity on her.
Brent felt all the best in his love for
her we'll up as he looked. The tempta-
thing aside. to tell her the truth. so
that she would trust him again. That
Is to say. the wish that 1t were pos
sible to do so came. over him with
almost unbearnble poignancy. but the
idea was almost too remote to be a
temptation. 1t merely presented itself
as thing that would have been so
restful and comforting could he only
have done 1t.
He did not 20 near her and sit on the
arm Of the chair as she had been conf
dent he must. but still stood in front
OF the fireplace. as n man always does
when on the defensive
Whats it all about?" he asked.
We'll. it's about spies. He's got them
on the brain. poor dear"
Spies? Poor chap" commented
Brent, drawing at his pipe.
He even suspects" continued Molly.
that there's one in this house. Just
imaginew
"By Jove. you don't say so? I say.
Molly: that's really funny. When did
the old dear think of that
Of course you-you don't think it's
possible do you. Chris?"
Il don't know. Everythings possible.
I suppose. but I should say it was ex-
cessively unlikely Whatevers put the
idea into his head?"
Charles Sanderson."
Nonsense"
mo. no. I don't mean that he sus-
poets him. but Mr.. Sanderson has lost
some very important document, some
thing belonging to the admiralty"
Careless beggar. That's all I can say"
when 1 say lost it," went on Molly.
Il mean it's disappeared. It's been
stolen. down here"
We'll. Of course it's dashed awkward
for him." answered Chris. THE ad-
miralty won't like that at all. When
did he miss it?'
II don't know Some time today, I
suppose. He told father about 1t after
dinner"
Chris began to chuckIe "rn bet I
know who your father thinks it is.
Dear old Fraulein Schroeder
mo. he doesn't suspect fraulein,
neither does Mr.. sanderson."
Fritz, I suppose"
ly. nor Miss Myrtle. nor his mother,
nor me. Oh, Chris, can't you guess?"
Brent started at her with his pipe in
his hand and his mouth open. Then a
over him. You don't mean to say it's
me?' he asked. by Jove, that's price
less. How pleased the old dear must
be. because he's got his knife into me
anyway. say, that's the greatest COM
pliment have ever had paid me. No
before" and he continued chuckling
with pleasure after he put his pipe
back in his mouth.
They suspect Mrs. Lee. too" added
Nelly, watching him narrowly.
The laughter sank away from Brent,
leaving him very grave. "Eh, what?"
he asked.
Chris. you must admit you've let
father have some excuse for thinking
OF you. because OF your not doing any
thing, I mean"
"Oh. I understand that right enough,
but why drag in Mrs. Lee?"
That's only guesswork on their part
so far" answered Molly. but l."
she paused nervously, then went on
II can prove she's a spy"
Look here. Molly. do you know you
are saving very serious things? You
must be careful"
"Oh. know; it's serious enough to
me. too. Chris. I know you are in her
power"
Chris seized the opportunity to roar
with laughter.
my darling child" he said. Have
you been reading penny novelette,. or
going to the melodrama on the pier?
In her power" Do 1 say, finland me,
villain? Do prompt me. Molly"
"Ah. you are being cruel" flashed
Molly. Il know I'm not clever like
like Mrs. Lee. but you shouldn't sneer
at me. Chris, how can your
Darling" Chris was beside her and
had gathered her in his arms II was
a pig. brute. admit it. but I wasn't
sneering. l was only making a little
fun of you. It's all so ridiculous, dear
heart. Come. let's kiss and make it IN