New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-06-04
News For 7hedter80erS and Women Readers

as well as any nurse or physician,
judged that she had found me in good
shape.
But you'll pay me for my leniency,
young woman" she went on gayly.
Now I want to know every word of
your end of this movie stunt you've
been pulling off,
was willing and glad to oblige her,
but her sudden demand seemed to put
every coherent thought out Of my
head. Lillian was equal to the emer-
gency, however. When she saw that
could mott am afraid she interpreted
it would not''-give her the informa-
ton she wished in running, narrative
style. she began to question me, skill
fully, and in no time at all had every
scrap Of information T possessed at
her fingers ends.
Lillian Breads" Madge.
What a, cross-examiner you'd
make!" I said admiringly, yet a bit
Grossly when she had finished
She didn't answer me. She had
cupped her chin in her hands, and I
knew from this attitude that she was
marshalling the facts had given her,
arranging them in logical order and
making deductions from them. I
knew better than to repeat my foolish
little exclamation. She was not only
my friend, but my superior officer. I
must not disturb her.
Presently she looked up, her eyes
glowing
"It all fits in" she said. Then she
kissed me warmly.
DO you know that you've been in-
strumental in breaking up one OF the
worst nest of spies in the country"
she asked. I'VE have known for
some time there was powerful wire
less secreted somewhere near by, but
until now we couldn't locate it. And
those men, Ernest and Otto, answer
the descriptions of the men we've
wanted. The thought crossed my mind
when the officer brought Ernest in,
but my mind was too busy with you
to dwell much upon anything else.
Now am sure Of it.
II only wish we could have gotten
hold Of that woman, Sophie Hofer. I
believe she's really Sophia Muller, 4
notorious mem Der Of the viennese un-
derworld, and a most dangerous per-
son to have at large just now"
I could not echo Lillian's wish.
Sophie Hofer, by her unexpected kind
ness to me, had saved me from GER
tain death, perhaps worse. I felt re-
belliously glad that she had escaped
q death like Otto's-for I was sure he
had persisted in the ruins of the wire
Lessor captured like Ernest.
I was not sure, also, that If Sophie
Hofer ever fell into my hands I
wouldn't aid her to escape as she had
aided me. In peculiar, psychic
fashion I felt a distinct obligation to
the woman who had seen a resent
blance in me to someone she had
loved and for whose sake she had
aided me.
1T won't do, Madge."
glanced up at Lillians quiet, sig
niflcant tone to see her looking keen
ly, gravely at me. My face flushed at
the censure I fancied 7 read in her
eyes and voice, even as 7 wondered at
the power of reading ones thoughts
she possessed.
what won't do?" I parted, al
though I was ashamed of my own
weakness in thus postponing the issue.
You know very we'll" There was
acerbity, thinly yelled, in my friend s
voice now. and I didn't wonder at it.
when you enter the service" she
went on didactically, you must strip
yourself of all sentimental Weakness
You must rem e1nber that these men
and women against whose wits your
brains are p1tted are dangerous enc
mics of your country and deserve no
more mercy than would poison deal
ing cobras'
The Haunting Memory.
But she helped me at the risk of
her own 1ife." I protested rebelliously.
Because she knew very probably
that there was something terrible in
store for you. IF our government
agents treated their prisoners In that
way, then we would be justified in
helping them. But YOU know as we'll
as that our country errs on the sido
of mercy If at ALL while that other
Faugh!"
Her face was tense with Ioathing.
] knew that she would never condone
any weakness on my part. Yet the
face Of the woman who had befriend-
ed me at the risk of her own life lin
gered In my memory.