New Britain herald., 1921-12-12

breakfast before Col Travers appears, I'd advise you 10 stop talking"
 Good enough advice, old d-hen-with- one chicken" she retorted affection. ately, and I fussily watched her until she had discussed a good breakfast, for ] knew that the officers arrival would peremptorily put a period to any further thought Of food. She had said that "he must not be kept Wait ing, for there is stiff work on hand" and she was not one to utter such words idly.
 While They Waited.
 It lacked five minutes of the hour named by Col. Travers when we hn- ished, and as we walked out to the veranda I noticed that Lillian took from its hook motor coat of hers which hung in the hall ready for Use, and put it over her arm. l looked quickly from the light sweater which she had on over her gown to the coat, wondering vaguely why she wanted it. as the morning was delightfully."- warm. But l knew better than to ask her the question and she vouchsafed no explanation, simply laid the coat over the railing of the veranda and seated herself in one of the big porch chairs.
 "Is there anything in the world equal to the beauty of the morning sun upon these mountains? ?" she asked dreamily.
 Unless it be moonlight upon the ocean," l countered, with a vivid memory of that never-to- be forgotten sight.
 Getting homesick for the east end of Long Island? ?" she laughed
 What Lillian Asked
 "A little" I confessed.
 T think myself it's nearly time we all went home" she said collectively. T am ever so much better, and there are any number of things, I ought to do. And, above all, there is Katie. l want to see that young woman.'
 l looked at her, wondering at her continued harping upon the subject of my little maids queer behavior as re- ported by my mother-in laws letter. She returned the look wiGh d qui"zical smile.
 T do take lot of patience, don't Madge? But trust me. I'll tell you all I can as soon as I can"
 T don't mind anything, just so I am of real use to you" I assured her hastily, and then the noise of q rap idly-driven motor, a little whirl of dust, a sudden slackening before the Cosgrove premises, a stop before the gate heralded the approach Of Col Travers. The officer himself was driving, and beside him sat Ted Cos the path together I noticed that the boy was heavy-eyed from fatigue and lack of sleep, the interruption O. his | healthy boyish routine, while the of- ficer-eVidently used to catching sleep | when he could get it, doing without it | whenever necessary--was as fit as possible. l had not noticed in the stress of the evening before what a really handsome man he was, with his magnificent figure clear complex Ion bit high colored, and black hair heavily tinged with gray.
 His manner was faultless, too, as he | bowed in acknowledgment of my in- .roduction of him to Lillian. Then he spoke crisply but deferenti1lly:
 'I have only a very few minutes, and our talk must be unlisturbed. Can 1 talk to you where we will he sure of no interruption or possible | listeners - of course, unintentional | ones?" he amended hastily.
 Lillian's answer was a question.
 Gan you drive and talk at the same time?' ....
 She had thought it all out before hand l saw the meaning of the | motor coat laid over the veranda | railing.
 Into Col Travers eyes flashed a gleam of admiration.
 Yes, and that is of course the best solution. How soon--'
 "Now,". Lillian rose and picked up the motor coat from the railing
 The officer, with quick accustomed | courtesy, took the coat and helped her into it. Another minute and they had | walked to the car, entered it, and the officer was bending to the switch key. |
 Behind me I heard a siblant intake | of the breath, almost a gasp. l turned | to see Robert Savarin, with face of all color and his eyes flaming.