The Washington times., 1918-12-03
CHAPTER xxx.

-
times unusually silent, but Helen
had expanded In. the Joy OF her
great happiness. Richard. shaved
and with his hair cut, attired once
more in the earb OF civilization,
seemed a different person. Even in
! these few hours the lines about his
mouth seemed less pronounced.
They talked freely OF MadeTstrom.
"a regular Vanity Fair prob
lem.' Richard declared, balancing
his wine glass between. his fingers.
"a problem. too, which 1 can't say
l have solved altogether yet. The
only thing Is that II he Is really
going tonight. I don't see why
shouldn't let the matter drift out
OF my mind"
1T Is so much better" Helen
agreed. Try as hard as ever
can, / cannot picture his doing any
harm to anybody. And as for any
information he may have gained
here, well. | think that we can safe
ly let him take It back to Ger
many"
He was always" Richard con-
tinued remtniscently. "a sort OF
cross between q dreamer, an IDEAL
list, and a sportsman. There was
never anything or the practical
man OF affairs about him. He was
scrupulously honorable. and almost
purist in his outlook upon life.
have met a great many Germans
Richard went on. "and I've killed
few, thank God.-but he Is about
as unlike the ordinary type a. any
one ever met The only pity is
that he ever served bis time with
them"
Philippa had been listening at
tentNely. She was more than ever
silent after her brothers little ap-
probation OF his friend. Richard
glanced at her good-humoredly.
You haven't killed the fatted cali
for me in the shape OF clothes.
Phihppa,r he observed. %one would
think that you were going on
She glanced down at her high
neeked gown and avoided Helen's
anxious eyes.
II may go for a walk" she said.
"and leave you two young people to
talk secrets. 1 am rather fond OF
the garden these Moonlight nights"
when is Henry coming back?"
her brother Inquired.
Philippa's manner was quiet but
ominous.
Il have. no idea" she confessed.
He comes and goes as the whin,
seiEes him. and very seldom know
where he is. One week il is whit
ing and another. eedllngs Lately he
seen5s1to have shown some partial
ity for London life"
Richards eyes were wide open
now. .. '--- - : r
., You mean TO say that he Is still
not doing anything?rf.
Nothing whatever
But what excuse does he give
Or rather / should say reason?''
Richard persisted.
He soys that he IL too old for a
ship, and he won't work in an Of
nee" Philippa replied: "That is
what he saws. His point Of view is
so impossible that ] can not even
discuss II with him"
ITS s'the rtImmest go I ever came
across" Richard remarked. remin-
iscently. 81 should have said that
old Henry would have been up and
At 'em at the admiralty before the
first gun was fred"
"On the contrary" Phnippa re-
Joined, "he took advantage OF the
war to hire a Scotch moor at half
price. about a week after hostilities
had commenced"
Its a rum CO." Richard repeat.
ed. Il can't fancy Henry as a
skulker. Forgive me. Philippa."
he added
"is marvellous should think he Is
d. one of the strongest men I know.
Her brother patted her hand.
You've been making rather n
trouble of it, old girl" he said. af-
M
that, you know You walt and let
me have q talk with Henry"
his health iE all right?"
,"His health" Philippa declared.
"He comes Of such q fino nghting
stock" Richard unused. ~ suppose
You are entirely forgiven" she
assured him. drily.
81 think" she replied. "fHat near
" everything possible has already
been said to him"
Perhaps you've put his back up
a Bit" Richard suggested, ''and he
may really be on the lookout for
something all the time"
at has been a long search!"
Phflippa retorted, with quiet sar-
casm. Let US talk about some
thing else.
They gosslped for a time over
their plans for the week-Richard
must report at the war offics at
once.
Philippa grew more and more
silent as the meal drew to a close.
1t was at Helen's initiative that they
left Richard alone for n moment
over his port. She kept her arm
through her friends as they cross
ed the hall into the drawing room,
and closed the door behind them.
Phiiippa stood upon the hearth
rug. Already her mouth had come
together in straight line Her
eyes met Helcn's defantly.
"T know exactly what you are
going to cay, Helen" she began,
land | warn you that it will be
OF no use"
Helen drew up a small chair and
seated herself before the fire.
Are you going away with Mr..
Lessingham. Philippa:' she asked.
81 am" was the calm response.
II made up nv mind this after
noon. We are leaving tonight"
Helen stretched out one foot to
the blaze. i
Motoring" she enqUired.
Naturally" Philippa replied.
you know there are no trains
leaving here tonight"
You'll have a cold ride" Helen
remarked. ~ should take your
heavy fur coat"
Phillppa stared at. her compan-
ion.
You don't seem much upset.
Helen!r
II think" Helen declared. look
inR I'M "that nothing that has