South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-27

was still worshipping the colonel's
sister from afar.
All night his busy brain connived
for a plan 20 be IN evidence, and
finally he hit on something which
might have borne wonderful fruit
had H. not been for two things
first that he did not take Peggy
into his confidence and, second, that
at the last minute he could not
resist his old trick OF imitation.
This is what happened.
Peggy was just finishing her
bouillion when the telephone rang
and a waitress told her she was
wanted
Hello" said Peggy. sweetly, ris-
ing and picking up the receiver.
Hello" returned masculine
voice. this is Colonel Stokes"
Peggy blushed. oh. how DO you
do, colonel" she exclaimed eager.
". The eyes in the tea room con-
veyed messages 70 each other. Every
ear had heard.
II just rang up TO see II you
could take a ride with me today"
said the voice.
Then Peggy's quick ear caught
something. a certain infection with
which she was very familiar. Her
lips curved In a delighted smile 10
think she had detected the decep-
ton, and her eyes danced.
You DEVIL" she cried laughing
ly, forgetting that she had already
established the identity OF her in
terviewer. And then followed a
conversation between brother and
sister banteringly fippant in the ex-
IRENE.
Peggy finished up with. TIL try
to do It. old dear. Leave II to me.
Wen be ready by three o'clock.
I'm sure"
But when she returned TO the ia
BILE. icy silence and averted eyes
sent a thrill OF cold misgiving 70
her very toes What was wrong?
What had she done? Surely there
was nothing wrong in having
little fun with Tom.
She did not mention the ride 10
the rifle range that Tom had sug-
gested, and oddly enough. Tom
found at the last minute that he
could not get away anyhow. CO.
incidence was still at work when
the colonel drew up with his car
at precisely three o'clock and ask
ed them to witness barrage prac-
tice with him.
But every one seemed TO have
something else TO do. Mrs. Page
had letters TO write Miss Her
ron had an engagement. Isabel her
vNIa hau Anahn
heartsick about something she did
not understand, allowed him to
take her back to the hotel, but
no further.
Tom" she said the next day.
what's wrong with everybody?
Nobody will speak to me scarcely.
What have I done? I deliberately
asked Isabel Stokes last night. but
she only said Oh, nohing at all.
my dear!' But there is something.
Tom. and l want you to find out"
Tom was worried. II can't ina
CINE what it is" he said. Isabel
Stokes wouldn't deliberately do a
mean thing, I'm sure. But don't
worry. Wen find out what It is and
set things right"
That night Poppy had gone to
her room after dinner when her
phone rang.
Hello" she called YEARLY.
Hello. is that Miss Knowlton ?"
came a masculine voice This IS
Colonel Stokes"
"Oh. Tom" begged Peggy. please
don't play that joke again Some
way that was what caused all the
trouble. II was after 1 talked TO
you that day at luncheon that every
find out what It is. I'm going home
1 can't stayed here"
But" protested the voice. This
isn't Tom. This is Colonel Stokes.
1 was wondering II we couldn't get
up a little party and go for a ride.
The country is lovely tonight"
The voice had the true ring this
time.
Peggy gasped. "Oh, Colonel, Il
beg your pardon. You see L"
She didn't finish. How could she
tell him?
You must not talk about going
! home" he declared. IF things
have gone wrong. Wen set them
right. Let's get my sister and your
brother and forget our troubles"
So Peggy consented.
That night the Colonel conducted
a court OF his own and ferreted out
the trouble.
Let me congratulate you, cap
tain" said he. You'll be invalu-
able in the army. We have been able
to camoufiage everything but vol
ces."
Congratulate me again, colonel"
said Tom. your sister has promised
to marry me when I come back"
The colonel looked longingly at
Peggy. I'm hoping for something
OF the sort myself" he said mean
ingly.