Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-17
The Political
Secret 81,
-VVVVVVVVVVV
(Copyrightl
By LILLIAN MossELLER


(Copyrightl
Dill. CASSIDY put the cover on his
- typewriter and closed his desk
Tomorrow the whole world would he
let In on what had been a political
secret and his paper would be The
first to dIvulge the news because he
Bill Cassidy-had been quick wltted
and on the job.
Only Bill knew the secret. Only
Bill? Well-not quite. He had told
his girl In the strictest confidence. She
would never tell. Wouldn't she? Samp-
son had trusted Delilah. Well, this
girl was not that sort She was not
a vamp--she was not tricky. She was
just a simple, sweet, beautlful-but he
was beginning to feel little uneasy.
Well he had told her, and that was
that She had not invited his conf.
dence except by her habit of retlcence
yet the words of his secret had
poured into her ears She had beauty
without vanity-charm without guile
could she keep secret? Tomorrow
the world would know, but today no
one must know. political secret d.
vulged to woman A scoop for the
press-hls scoopi What inherent weak.
ness In him had made him respond TO
that impulse to tell? He had always
been so absolutely sure Of his strength
where women were concerned.
Yet Sampson had been sure of his
strength until Delilah cut of his hair
Was Margaret-lovely Margaret-hls
Delllah? No. She had not wanted
his secret. She was not to blame
she had protested that she did not
like secrets-they were burden to
her. Perhaps that was trick to get
1t out of him-women-even the best
of them--were full of tricks--they
were born that wayl Well she had
gotten 1t out Of hlm-shame to her
He would go to her. His secret must
not be dlvulged this night When
morning came the news would be
broadcast, but he must somehow,
some way, keep her from seeing any
one tonight. She had had time-even
now to let word slip-just few
words and he would be ruined, His
Imagination Travelled dark highways.
He had wanted to marry her. He
had planned to ask her when the
Big News-his political scoop was
flashed over the world. Then he would
get ralse-then they could marry.
But she was a reporter, too. She was
on an evening paper-perhaps she had
used his--no, he couldn't think that
of her-she might let It slip In a
feminine, stupid way-but she wouldn't
use 1t 70 advance herself-wouldnt
shei. Sampson had trusted Delllah!
He hurried to Washington place
where he must walk up six flights Of
stairs before he could reach her apart.
ment. He stood painting and out Of
breath as he rang the bell. She did
not answer The bell must have been
out of order. He tried the knob. The
latch had not caught and the door
opened. He stepped into the corridor.
and paused.
Margaret was In the next room, talk
ing. Only some heavy portIercs sep
arated them He had not intended TO
stand there and listen but her words
electrified him-suddenly there was
murder in his hearth
"He told me secret" he heard her
say quite distinctly and she laughed
dellghtedly. HE told me a secret"
There was a pause. Tomorrow, the
whole world will know" her voice was
so low he could scarcely hear--"and
tonight, only you and ! know-ex-
cept-" htJ
So she had dlvulged III Perndy,
thy name is Woman
Darling" she continued In warm
resonant voice. ut is you, love
you onlyl" There was sound Of
long kiss. He clinched his fists.
"a wordless thing of beauty, that
comes to Gil the soul Of me, In love.
Love that Is brought to me by you,
dear. Love came not to me until you
came. For only you could bring me
love-"
Bill groaned audlbly. She had said
the same thing to him with her eyes
that very day.
"Who is therep she cried In terror.
ne uuUb uSluc Inc GuttuinS' foHc
was seated upon the rug in front Of
the fireplace with the freight shining
on her hair. She was alone. Bill
glanced around the room quickly. Had
the devil escaped2 He looked AT the
girl who was as still as though she
had been turned to stone. She was
cIasping something to her breast and
II. L.. 10
stopped and snatched II from her.
Then he wllted. His anger left MIN.
He was filed with shame. He knelt
beside her. She had been holding his
photographs had been talking to
him.
"Oh, Bill, you heard2" She hid her
face on his shoulder. He raised II to
his. Her beautiful mouth was soft
and responsive and her hair was a
golden halo about her head.
"Bill, DEAR" she told him, when she
was able to speak, II discovered ]
really loved you when you told me
the secret. Most men think women
are capable Of nothing but seduction
and guile. Bill, It thrilled me through
and through to learn that you really
trusted meP
"Oh, MargaretP Bill looked AT her
with alteration in his eyes. "oh, Mar
garetP