The Washington times., 1918-10-22


have been to every friend at the
War Office, and every friend who
has friends there. have made
every sort OF inquiry, and 1 know
Just as much now as / did when
: left here-that Richard was q
prisoner at Wittenberg the last
time they heard. and that they have
received no notification whatever
concerning him for the last two
months.
Helen glanced at the calendar.
1T is just two months today" she
sad mournfully, "since we heard" :"
And then" Philippa sighed. ''he
hadn't received . single one of our
parcels"
Helen rose suddenly to her feet.
She was a tall. fair girl Of the best
Saxon type, slim but not in the
least angular, with every promise,
indeed, of q fuller and more gra-
cious development in the years to
come. She was barely twenty-five
years old and, as is common with
girls of her complexion, seemed
younger. Her bright, intelligent
face was. above all, good humored.
Just At that moment, however, there
was a fiush OF passionate anger in
her cheeks
ut makes me feel almost beside
myself" she exclaimed, "this hid
eous incapacity for doing any
thing! Here we are living in
luxury, without a single privation,
whilst Dick, the dearest thing on
earth to both of us, IL being
starved and goaded to death in 4
foul German prisonr"
I'VE mustn't believe that it's
quite 20 bad as that, dear" Phiiippa
demonstrated. what Is II, MiIIsY-
The elderly man-servsnt, who had
entered with q tray in his hand.
bowed a. he arranged It upon .
side table.
have taken the liberty of bring
ing In a little fresh tea, your lady
ship" he announced, "and some hot
buttered toast Cook has sent some
or the sandwiches, too, which your
ladyship generally fancies."
1T IL very kind OF you, Nils"
Philippa said, with rather a wan
little smile. Il had some tea at
South Lynn. but It was very bad.
You might take my coat, please
She stood up, and the heavy fur
coat slipped easily away from her
slim. elegant little body.
Shall 1 light up, your ladyship?"
Mills inquired.
You might light q lampI"
Philippe directed, "but don't draw
the blinds until lighting-up time.
After the noise OF London" she
went on turning to Helen, Il al
ways think that the faint sound OF
the sea Is so restfulT
The man moved noiselessiy about
the room and returned once more
to his mistress.
I'VE should be glad TO hear, youF
ladyship," he said, 'if there IL any
news of Major Felstead?-
Philippa shook her head.
'None at all, / am sorry 10 say,
Millsi Still, we must hope for the
best 1 dare say that some Of these
camps are not so bad as we i'm
agine"
I'VE must hope not, your lady
ship" was the somewhat dismal
reply. Shall fasten the win
dows?"
You can leave them until you
draw the blinds, Mills" PhIIIppa
directed 81 am not at home, II
any one should can. See that we
are undisturbed for a little time"
Very good, your ladyship."
The door was closed, and the two
women were once more alone.
Phllippa held out her arms.
Helen, darling, come and be nice
to me-" she begged. Let Us both
pretend that no news Is good news.
Oh, I know what you are suffering,
but remember that even II Dick is
your lover, he Is my dear, only
brother-my twin brother. too. We
have been so much to each other
all our lives. He'll stick II out.
dear, II any human being can. We
shall have him back with uS some
day"
But he Is hungry" Helen sobbed.
II can't bear to think OF his being
hungry. Every time sit down to
eat, It almost chokes me"
II suppose he has forgotten what
a whiskey and soda is like" Phillip
pa murmured, with q little catch In
her own throat.
He always used to love one about
this time" Helen faItered, Elancing
at the clock.
And cigarettes" PhiIippa ex-
claimed. 81 wonder whether they
give him anything to smoke
Nasty German tobacco, II they
do" Helen rejoined Indignantly.
and to think that I have sent him
al least six hundred OF his favorIte
She fell once more on her knees
by her friends side. Their arms
were intertwined. their cheeks
One Of those strange
silences OF acute SYM
pathy seemed to hold them for a
while under its thralI. Then, al
most at the same moment, a queer
awakening came for both OF them
Helen's arm was stInened. Philippa
turned her head. but her eyes were
dlled with ineredulous fear. A little
current OF cool air was blowing
through the room. The French
windows stood half open. and with
his back to them, q man who had
apparently entered the room from
the gardens and passed noiselessIy
across the soft carpet, was stand
Ing by the door. listening. They
heard him turn the key. Then, in a
ousinesslike manner. he returned to
the windows and closed them, the
syes OF the two women following
him all the time. Satisfied, appar-
sntly. with his precautions, he
turned toward them just az an ex-
preston OF indignant inquiry broke
rom Philippa's lips. Helen spranK
10 her feet, and Philippa Eripped
he sides Of her chair. The new
,omsr advanced . few steps nearer
10 them.
To Be Continued Tomorrow }