The Washington times., 1918-11-04
CHATTER TX.

aEnlllppab uuHeLS TeSlGn LoE q
moment upon the keyboard Of the
piaao before which she was seated,
awaiting Lessingham's arrival Then
she glanced at the clock 1t was
tan minutes to s.
FHou can show him. in, Mills. II
he wishes to see me"
Captain Grifftf1s was ushsred
Into the room-EUkward unwieldly,
nervous as usual He entered as
though in q hurry. and there was
nothing in his manner to denote
that he had spent the last Few
hours making up his mind to this
visit.
II must apologize for this most
untfnely call, Lady Cranston," he
said, watching the closing Of the
door. 'T will not take Hp more
than Ave minutes of your time"
1--WE are very pleased to see you
at any time, Captain, Grifiths,'
Phiiippa. said Hospitality DO sit
Sovrn, please"
Captain Griffith bowed but re-
nafned standing.
a.4t Is very near your dinner
t1ne, I know. Lady CranstoO." he
continued apologetically. The
fact of 1t is, however. that as com
maadazt here Il is NY duty {,
exkinine the bona fides Of any
strangers in the place. There is
gehkleman named LesS.ngharn stay
ing at the hotel, who understand
gave your name as reference
ffhilippa's eyes looked larger
than ever. ard her face more Ia
-.
visitor
f@Why, of course. Captain Grif-
nthk," she said. Mr.. Lessingham
was at college with my brother.
and one Of his best friends. He has
shot down at my fathers place in
Cheshire"
ftTou are speaking Of your broth.
e.. Major Fslstead?"
eHy only brother"
lei am very much obliged TO you.
Las1y Cranston," Captain Griffths
dektared. 'T can see that we need
not worry any more about M.
Lessingham."
sFhilippa laughed
tttt seems rather old-fashioned
TO think of you having to NrorTy
abnnt any one down here" she OBJ
served. at really is a very harEn-
eThere isn't much going on. GER
tainly," the commandant admit
tee. Very dull the place seems at
times" ...-.r.
stEow be perfectly frank" Phil
Ippa begged him. Is there a sin
gle fact Of Importance which could
be learnt in this place, worth
communicating to the enemy? Is
the danger of espionage mere
worth a moments Consideration
.rThat." Captain GrifTiths replied
in somewhat stilted fashion. lis
not a question which 1 should be
prepared to answer off-haBd--
lPhilippa shrugged her shoulders
and appealed almost fervishly to
Helen, who had just entered the
room.
-"Helen, do come and listen to
Captain Grinfithsi He Is making
me feel quite creepy. There are
secrets about, it seems, and he
wants to know all about Mr.. Les
sfagham"
Helen smiled with complete self
possession
s.tWell. we can set his mind at
Fest about Mr.. Lessingham, can't
HeT' she observed, as she shook
hands.
I'VE can do more" Philippa de-
elared. I'VE can help him to Judge
for himself. We are expecting
Afr. Lessingham for dinner. Cap
tain Griffiths. Do stay"
al couldn't think OF taking yoU
by storm like this" Captain Grif-
hths replied. with a wistfulness
which only made his voice sound
hoarser and more unpleasant. 1T
d Ii -
ton Perhaps you will give me
ahOther opportunity"
II shan't think OF it." Philippa
insisted. you must stay and dine
tonight We shall be a PGTtie caTTee,
FOR Nora goes, to bed directly after
dinner. ! am ringing the bell to
telI Mills to set an extra place" she
added.
Captain Griniths abandoned him
self to fate with q little shiver OF
complacency. He welcomed Less
fngham. who was presently an
nounced, with very much less than
his usual reserve, and the dinner
was in every way a success. To-
ward Its close, Philippa became a
little thoughtful. She glanced more
than once at Lessing CHAM. Who was
sitting by her side, almost in ad-
miration. His conversation, gay at
times, always polished, was inter
larded continually with those little
social "reminiscences Inevitable
among men moving in a certain
circle OF English society. Appar-
ehtly Richard Felstead was not the
only one OF his college friends with
whom he had KEEP in touch. The
last remnants OF Captain Griffiths'
guspicions seemed TO vanish with
their second glass OF port. although
his manner became in no way more
genial.
-Don't you think you are almost
alittle too daring?" Philippa asked
her favored guest as he helped her
Gfterward to set out a bridge table.
-one adapts ones methods to
one's adversary" he murmured.
With a smile. your friend Captain
Griniths had only the very conven-
tipnal suspicious. The mention of
q few good English names, ac-
qnaintance with the ordinary Eng
lish sports, is quite sufficient with
. man like that"
Helen and Grffiths were talking
1.-THE other end Of the room. Phil
fppar raised her eyes to her com
panion's.
you become more of a mystery