The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-27

"oh.v he said easily, ut is not my wound that
sends me to America
"Ah," said Rachel, "a mission! But | am
indiscreet to mention It."
"A mission? Oh, no indeed. ! have been in
France a year." He held up his arm to display
the two golden service chevrons, each repre-
senting six months spent overseas. Nov l am
being sent home to teach our new army what
l have learned"
TAND was uncomfortably conscious that both
girls were scrutinizing him more closely,
A more interestedly, than was natural in
new acquaintance casually curious. For an in
slant he held the impression that both of them
were trying to pry inside his mind to see what
was therefor some Interior purpose. 1t
startled him, and he turned from one to the
other quickly, appraisingly. The impression van
ished, and he smiled to himself and at himself.
Lands only regret was that he could not sit so
as to watch both the girls at once. 1t was i'm
possible to say which was the more beautiful.
AS he glanced at Renee he told himself she was
the loveliest creature he had ever seen until he
looked again at Rachel. 1t was disturbing, but
pleasantly disturbing. No young man could
have a pleasanter problem to worry him than
which Of two beautiful women was the lovelier.
He shrugged his shoulders slightly. Long days
VII outpDOalu lay ullCdu VI Illl Ill MlllCH w
solve it.
Let us promenade" suggested Rachel, and
together they made the circuit Of the deck again
and again, chatting gaily, with Land the envy Of
every man aboard. at is a wonderful feeling to
be bound for America, away from all that" she
waved her hand backward toward war-weary
Europe, Ito be crossing the ocean away from
battles and intrigues and suffering and from
spies, spies, spies! You can not imagine the
feeling Of that, Major. My country is eaten up
by German spies. They are everywhere. You
are suspicious of every one. 1T will be wonderful
to be in land where one may speak freely and
act without fear. / have been watched,
watched" 4
VOURS has been a dreadful experience"
Land said soberly.
at isn't so terrible to die" said Ma
demoiselle Renee with straight lips, "but to be
tolled to your death by a spy"
"Pln afraid we are not free from them, even
in America" Land said. "The German Secret
Service has a long arm"
"And INSCRIPTIONS fingers" said Rachel
with eyes that glowed soberly.
As they made the turn around the end OF the
cabin they came suddenly face to face with the
mar Ballard who had arrested the captain a
short time before, the returning correspondent
with the &C" on his arm-band. 1t was almost
q collision.
Pardon" said Ballard, stepping back, and
waiting with an air Of expectancy.W
Land nodded curtly and passed on with the
girls. For some incomprehensible reason he had
taken a dislike to the man; there existed an anti
pathy which he would have been hard put to it
to explain.
who is that mani" asked Renee, turning to
look after him.
"a newspaper correspondent. For what
paper | do not know"
"American?"
eyes, Mademoiselle."
She turned her head and walked on silently,
but there was a little pucker to her brows as il
she were straining her memory for something
that eluded her. II don't think / like him."
she said presently.
II think | shall go below and lie down" said
Rachel after a few minutes more Of walking.
1.-THE exercise tires me-"
"And |, too" said Renee. "Au repoir, Mon
sieur, and thank you for coming to our rescue"
MAY | rescue you again."
But certainly" said Rachel, looking at him
directly with something very like challenge in