Glacier County chief., 1939-04-07

TEST WHEN SECRET
AGENTS COME TO STEAL
HER HUSBANDS
SECRETS.
~ WYNNE TRIED the labora-
VI tory door. 1t was unlocked,
and she opened it soundless-
ly and stood on the threshold. The
low raftered room was filling with
a kissing sound and a CHASTITY blue
light from a vapor that whirled in
a SUPERSEDED test tube. Grotesque
shadows writhed about the walls
and ceiling. The girl stood there
watching the dark bulk of her hus-
bands back. He was so engrossed
he might be in another world, not
caring if she-his wife-were a million
miles away.
There was an acrid faint on the
air that caught at her breath. She
coughed. The absorbed young man at
the zinc counter jumped as If he had
been shot and turned to the apologize
figure in the doorway. My God,
GWynne, haven't l told you never to
creep up on me?"
Sorry" she said wistfully, but
wanted to know if I could put on the
steak. That is if you're still interested
in eating"
He turned back to his work. All
right, Gwynne. I'll be coming"
:, Gwynne had been dismissed, but she
fingered. please come now, John. I'm
so tired-and I'm hungry Eating alone
isn't fun. I'm so lonely"
The man put down a glass retort
In which green Vapor was changing
to violet. "Lonely?" his voice held a
hurt note. Sure, but I warned you
that you were marrying a worker"
:, Gwynne crossed the tiled floor and
mind the way you stick at your work
Don't think it, John-ever. But we've
enough money for a maid If had a
girl to help me-even a raw country
girl from the village could go out
bit and get little fun. I wouldn't
be tied to the baby. I need life-like I
need food. John. But please don't think
I don't adore Billyboy."
John Brunius looked at his wife. The
mad blue light in the laboratory gave
her face a greenish pallor and black
ened the rose of her lips. But he knew
her charming appearance by heart.
She was in her early twenties, but her
halo Of honey fair fluff and her pout-
ing mouth made her look like school,
girl. She was warm-hearted and cheer
full and lovable, but he wondered now
if he had been crazy to add the re-
sponsibility of her well-being and her
very human desires to the stern career
he had irrevocably embarked upon.
He put thin stained hands on her
slim young shoulders. "Gwynne, darl-
ing, I understand. Absolutely. But you
must be patient a little longer.
daren't risk a stranger under this roof
Few people in this imperfect world
can't be bought. and servant is vul-
nerable because of her poverty. What
I'm doing now is So vital to British
imperial defense, so tempting to for
eign powers that if we had a servant
to bride, they would be right here In
the house stealing and prying in less
than a week."
They. John?"
THE secret agents All countries en-
ploy them. They are lone wolves of
the extraordinary temperament-the
Queerest men on earth, and women,
too, I guess-taking appalling risks for
I doubt very much for the love of
country They are cold implacable ro-
bots who stick at nothing to collect
such secrets as mine"
But do they know what you're do
ing. John?"
Probably. The war office knows. So
they can find out. Nobody knows how.
But stranger things are always hap
pening.'
Gwynne shivered. but she still looked
skeptical. IF your work is SO import
ant" she inquired reasonably, why
doesn't the war office protect you?"
The British government, my love,
is difficult to impress. I have. to prove
my claims. I've got them interested
enough to agree to make their own
tests when I deliver my final formula.
I'm at work modifying it now. II they
get the results I've been getting-and
they must-all this will be changed.
I won't have to work in my own house
and keep you in danger. And you'll
have some fun, too. Well have lots
of money"
There was a rustling and squealing
in the room adjoining the laboratory.
The poor little martyrs" said Gwynne.
I'll bet you've forgotten to feed them.
She went into the room full of cages
and pushed her fingers through the
wide mesh to caress the soft pushing
noses of the guinea pigs. Her husband
followed her and measured out the
food. Look at this lot, Gwynne! 1mag-
inc it! They can see again
ITS wonderful she said grudgingly:
'DuI al tle Saiiie ViiaAh i''
mean-
The thin face of John Brunius lit
as if a flame had burst into life be-
hind it. IF only you had. ever seen
war, darling. you'd recognize my gas
as one of the most deadly and yet
humane weapons the fighter has ever
known Just think of it in action!
Dropped in bombs from the air. 1t is so
volatile and quick spreading it can
blind a whole enemy battalion in half
an hour-or the entire crew of a battle
ship! Think of it spreading relentlessly
through the streets of enemy towns
bly, through shut doors and barred
windows-not even a mask will keep
it out. Except the mask I know how
to make"
and then what?" Gwynne whis-
pered, impressed in spite of herself.
Surrender! The side that owns my
gas must have the last word. But the
thing that thrills me to the marrow OF
nv, bopac &c that If will he cOnOueSt