Evening star., 1918-12-27

GO 1T was that within the month the world
- rang with second Edith Caven outrage.
~ Two women were detected in the act OF
plotting to liberate prisoners Of war. Both were
young Both were declared to be beautiful. Both
were reported as members Of splendid Belgian
families-and both were sentenced to be shot.
England famed with protest.; America
reached fire Of rage. Neutral nations inter-
vened. But Germany was obdurate. A crime
had been committed and punishment must be
meted out. That was justice; that was efficiency.
As last resort, the combined diplomatic corps
of the remaining neutral nations waited upon
the Kaiser and laid the matter before him. He
was reluctant to receive them or to hear OF the
matter, but so ably did they present their case
that, graciously and with compassion for the
unfortunate and misguided, he gave his imperial
promise to intervene-in case, and only IN case,
the guilty women should be exiled from Europe
and held as prisoners or as guests OF the nation
in America for the duration OF the war. This
was quickly acceded to and the details arranged.
And so it was that German submarine made
q peaceful rendezvous with an American liner.
Sol was that two beautiful young women came
to be aboard the Puritania. 1t was, however,
Chance taat made Major Douglas Land voy-
ager on that return trip, Major Douglas Land
of the Artillery, on special service.
The two women who had been put aboard the
liner by the submarine were, SO confirmed rumor
had it, Mademoiselle Renee SAKE and Mademol-
selle Rachel Laurens, and were the identical
women who had been detected by the German
military authorities in Belgium in the act Of plot
ting to aid in the escape of French and English
prisoners. They had been sentenced to death, and
the world had been waiting with horror the an
nouncement OF the carrying out Of the sentence.
THE girls looked enough alike to be sisters,
yet there was certain dissimilarity, perhaps
more Of manner and expression than OF Tea
ture, which made one hesitate almost to believe
they were OF the same race. Mademoiselle Renee
possessed vivacity of expression and of move
ment that seemed more Gaelic than Belgian;
perhaps with something of the Slav lurking In
the background. Mademoiselle Rachel gave
an impression Of repose, Of acuteness also. She
did not fit into ones preconceived ideas Of
Belgian girl, but might have been American
with few drops Of the French Canadian blood,
or even with some descent from an ancestor who
had been liegeman of the Sobieskis. Neither
girl was Of the obvious type. Both were Of the
sort who make man look and then consider
and come back again to check uphis conclusions.
Inevitably he would conclude that his deduc-
tions had been erroneous. The beauty of each
was touched with the exotic; was of that allur-
ing type which cries out to men and demands
their homage.
Major Douglas Land, wearing wound stripe
earned at Catigny; now journeying to America
on special duty, occupied chair from which
he was able covertly to watch the two girls
throughout the meal. The Major was young,
as were the gold leaves on his shoulders. he had
come to France lieutenant. In five months
his efficiency and intelligence had won him not
only rapid promotion but no mean measure of
distinction for gallantry on the field of action.
He was young, and these strange girls were
beautiful and interesting. Therefore, the Major
delayed not at all, but carried himself to the
Captain of the vessel with whom he was al
ready on terms of friendship. In moment he
had persuaded the Captain to introduce him.
The girls looked up as the captain approached
with the young officer.
II have taken the liberty, "he said. ''of bring
ing Major Land to you. He seemed to be afraid
you might die of loneliness. May present him."
"But certainly" said Mademoiselle Rachel
Laurens, smiling up at Major Land gayly.
Mademoiselle SAKE smiled, too, but with more
restraint, with something more Of formality,
almost Of caution.