Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-07-05
THE UNSPOKEN QUESTION
WHICH BANlSHED MADGE'S
HAPPINESS.

Al Allen Drakc's revelation, Lillian
turned TO me, kissed me warmly
and then taking me by the shouldes,
held me at arms length and looked at
me kccnly.
"So-or' she said, releasing me with
httlc shake. That was your headache,
wAa il? You worked all night long,
didn't you7 But, for the love Of Lulu,
come over here and tell me how you
did il. I'm spawned and sprlng-halted
whom il comes 10 code solving, and I'd
like 20 know what license you have to
Jump ipto the ring and do stunt like
this. ! thought your speciality was his
tory so old that II crumbles.
Beneath her raillery there ran motif
Of loving pride in the feat | had accom-
plished, and knew that my generous,
big-hcarted friend was far more pleased
Al nv success than she would have
bcen over any similar triumph of her
own.
That's Just the trick she turned,
Allen Drake said That inside code
was based on the Sumerian syllable
writing--only the characters were cut
in half, and Ill apprise the asteroids
they had me going in half circles. There
wasn't the slightest starting point OF
course, unless YOU recognized them,
which | distinctly didn't. And then the
Chief hore oplned he'd like 10 have his
daughter take a slant at 'em. Frankly
! hid an impudent smile in my sleeve
for which | beg everybody's pardon
humhly. But, believe me, | was re-
duccd to pulp when Mrs. Graham drifted
in, took one look at EN- and decided
they were .cunclform. And believe me,
she turned the trick. The names and
dates she supplied fit like the paper on
the wall
Lillian whirled on him, and saw
that his last sentence had aroused some
powerful emotion IN her.
Lillian Wants Facts.
Names" she said tensely. Names
OF the other camp? Let me see them. "
She took the paper he held out 10
her and scanned il closely, while all Of
us watched her And when she had fin
ishcd and had returned the paper,
thought detected a fash Of relief in
her ewes, almost as il she dreaded
70 find in the list some name, the h-a
scnce Of which had made her breathe
moro easily.
Good work. she commented.
"Now me hear all about Il.
Allen Drake waved his hand impress
sivcly toward me, and flushed pain
fully.
1T wasn't anything" protested.
"Mr. Drake had oil the code involved
except the missing names, and they
were in this syllable writing. which
happened 20 recognize because Of hav-
ing studied il with Prof Severance
And once | had the completed ohlrac-
ters, il was really very simple, almost
like "A child's rebus. You see
forgot my embarrassment as | saw
their absorption IN my explanation, and
for the next half hour | was the center
Of an interested circle, while ! checked
up with them every step OF the work
had done. And when ! had finished, the
look Of admiration in which there wa:
also distinct respect on the faces OF Ll
han. Allen Drake and my father tho
three persons who possess the keenes
brains OF my acquaintnace-was like
draught Of heady wine 10 me.
"oh! Id Love To-"
In my work with them before, ! haC
held the position OF humble assist
ant and had the common sense 70 know
that IN many things that would still b'
my status. But at this moment ! wa
unquallhedly one OF them, on equs
terms of achievement, and the knowl
edge thrilled me.
you may think this is all, but
isn't, Allen Drake struck in. when
had finished. Mrs. Graham modest,
tries 20 assure YOU that this was
fash in a par born Of her knowledg'
OF those old-tiine records. But I'm her
% say that she there four ways iron
the jack when II comes 10 a head 70
codes. And they have TO be born tina
way. Come, Mrs. Graham, YOU prom
l~cd me a slant az that childish non
sensical code you devised for your ow'
amusement Trot II out, please"
Without a word ] pushed over 20 hir
the code ! had mentioned, with the ke
written out. He studied II carefully 10
q minute or two, then beckoned ~
father and Lillian 20 him. They locke
over his shoulder, while apparent
obliviogs 20 my presence, he pointe
out the different phases OF H. Then b
waved his hand toward me with
manner distinctly suggestive ! told my
self with sn Involuntary ehuckle, Of
teacher exhibiting a prize pupil.
Didn't | tell you? he asked tr
umphantly. She's a natural code-is'
How's that for word, Chef? Ho,
about II, Mrs Graham? Viii YOU hel
me out sometimes? There isn't muc
money IN n, although the rewards ar
sometimes quite satisfactory, but
"Oh! I'd love to" | cried impetl
ously Then ] stopped abruptly al
recollection brought by the quic
glnnoes, evidently Involuntary, whic
Lillian aud my father both shot at m,
] knew instinotively that in their minc
~ns the same question which he
sprung into mine chlding my enthus
asrn IN my newly discovered power
What would Dicky say?