The Washington times., 1919-02-25
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ly, Madeline's dress had not suffer-
ed as much as her hands and shoes,
so she was able to make her way to
the street car line without attracting
any attention.
When she regained her room in the
Raleigh Hotel she sat down and tried
to unravel the puzzle, which did moth
ing to improve the aching head
which had resulted from her latest
adventure. Intuitively the girl felt
the Chinese diplomat was not the
deadly enemy he seemed. Persistent
ly in the back OF her mind something
whispered that not accident. but de-
sign, had placed the Mandarin coat
in her hands. She thought until she
almost forgot her aching head about
her three lovers and she wondered il
it would not be better to lose the
formula forever ana thereby test the
genuineness of their love. Round and
round in entangling circles went her
thoughts and only after a sleepIess
night did the girl arrive at one prac-
tical conclusion, that she must re-
move herself and the formula from
the hotel.
A hasty visit TO several real estate
dealers satisfied her that she could
get nothing suitable in Washington,
as the Capital was filled with war
workers, and no one had room for
her. But she heard of something
even better. 1t is probably truer Of
Washington than of any other city
in ha TnfF
in its borders one can find a home
surrounded by primeval forest. In
one of those delightful little swalcs
which wind about in a devious way
toward the Potomac. Madeline found
small cottage hidden from the near
est road by a thicket OF small trees
ami SO closely covered with vines
that one almost stumbled against IL
before recognizing it as a house.
Little did she know that the taxi
driver who took her to her new home
was the disguised Snyder Filled with
enthusiasm over her discovery, she
was inclined 20 communicate it 10
others, and Snyder agreed with her
that il was the loveliest possible
home for one who had grown tired Of
pavements and people. only" he
said as he turned away to hide the
erous tip. I am afraid you are going
to be very lonesome here" He did
not wait for her reply, but started his
car, and chuckled all the way into
town at an idea which had sprung
full blown into his ingenious brain.
The next day there arrived at Vine
Cottage, as Madeline called her new
home, an express wagon carrying q
heavy crate. Without ringing the bell
the expressman deposited his pack
age, drove away and was out of sight
before Madeline had time to open
the door. The girl was living alone
in the cottage, being afraid to trust
even a servant with her secret.
She started back in fear when she
saw the crate. feeling instinctiVely
that it must be her enemies Trojan
horse, but suddenly from the depths
OF the crate came a bleat which
proved IL anything but a horse.
Medeline was conVulsed with
laughter. but decided she must re
lease the animal at once, as she was
great lover OF pets and realized
the goat must be cramped in his II
close quarters. She seized a hammer
and IL was the work Of only a few
moments 10 remove the Stats from
the head OF the crate. Out stepped |
the most lOrdly goat Madeline had |
ever seen. His long white whiskers |
swept the ground and he looked as |
wise as A statesman. but he had bet |
ter manners. for when Madeline |
pulled his whiskers he lifted his right !
paw to shake her hand. She again 1
examined the crate to find the identity /
OF the sender, and tackled on one of |
the stats was the following note:
Dear Miss Connor: This is some |
body's goat. We don't know or are
not sure just whose, but we are going |
to let you find out. In the meantimc |
you are Bilrs custodian. We are sure |
of only one thing-that is, Bill is no: |
a Chinese goat, but he may belong |
to the Soldiers Three" In the hone |
that you will take care of Bill until |
we find his real owner we are, yours
respectfully.
FULLER AND SNYDER"
After a moment Of dazed surprise |
Madeline shrieked with laughter, and, |
turning to the goat, threw her arms |
about his neck and laughed until TIRE |
tears came. "Oh, Bill" she said, II
know you are going to be the best |
friend I have. l just feel that, al |
though you have been sent to me as
a cruel joke, you will do more than |
any Of these stupid men to protect |
me and my secret"
Bill provided Madeline with infinite |
One moment she caugh.
him on the veranda eating the Book
or Genesis from the Bible that had |
been carelessly left there. and a few
moments later she saw him devoUr-
Ing some dominoes, evidently as an
for the Biblical fare.
She had expected her days in Vine
Cottage to be tedious and lonely, but |
Bill made the hours pass quite as fast
rs while she was in the whirl Of city
ife. Thus several days passed, dur
ng which the girl gained strength
md confidence, until she began to
again taking her Fightful
place in useful activities.
Madeline was greatly puzzled by
he failure OF certain Of her admirers
o trace her, as she was sure that
Ter hiding place could not long re-
main unknown. As q matter OF fact
she was not really trying to hide, but
,nly sought the Vine Cottage for the
est which she needed so badly, and
With the idea that while sho was
here the triangle would be safer
han IN her room at the RAielga.
rhe girl was walking away from the
cottage as che considered the adVis-
Ibility Of returning TO town, and deep