ir interests lay apart. Phyllis Alden was so deeply impressed with the fact that Lieutenant James Lawton had chosen her as a confidante and insisted on telling her

t in annoying Flora Harris, and with this intent she deliberately encouraged the attentions of Alfred Thornton, thus arousing the lasting resentment of that young woman, who looked upon young Thornton as her own particular

they did Society, and while Madge, Phil and Lillian flitted here and there like gay young butterflies, the chaperon

her young guests should give a play. She had engaged the private ballroom of the hotel for a certain evening, and had arranged for the erection of a temporary stage on t

cretary in the home of a man of wealth, discovers that his daughter, a girl about her own age, has been unduly extravagant and, needing money, has forged a check in her father's name. While she deliberates as to what is to be done, the father discovers the forgery, and t

tion but her good name as well, whereas if she makes the daughter of her employer admit her fault, it means that, driven from home, the girl who

declined to prosecute her, when his daughter, aroused to latent remorse by the nobility of spirit of the girl she has

. Tom Curtis was to portray the role of the stern father, while Lillia

fell to Madge. Flora was far too clever to show by any outward sign that she was not pleased with the part assigned to her, but privately she registered another grievance against the little captain, and the det

"Water Witch" and had decided that they possessed neither skill nor speed. She knew that since their agreement to enter the race the two girls had been practising diligently during the mornings o

as good a showing as Flora Harris and Alice Paine. They devoted their morning hours to their practice, for the rehearsals of the play occupied Madge's afternoons, and it must be confes

under his training and, according to his ent

orning as they rowed the "Water Witch" toward the houseboat. Their practice

ife in the Navy, his hopes and aspirations, and Phyllis had purposely drawn him into describing his invention. He had just completed a model of his torpedo-boat destroyer an

the young man had been impressed with Phil's sterling qualities. She was loyal to her friends and absolutely dependable. He felt certain that she would respect a confidence and keep a secret. He believed her to

owed within close range of the houseboat, where Tom Curtis and Al

hadowing me ready to report every movement that I make. If, after leaving here, I should fall ill unexpectedly, or-disappear suddenly, the secret of my invention might never be known. So I wish to ask you, Miss Alden, to keep a small, square box, which I shall give you before I leave. I shall ask you not to examine its contents unless some unusual circumstance shou

were allowing the "Water Witch" to drift in. Their friends on

re acquaintance, to guard a mysterious box for him? What could possibly happen to him when he went to Washington! It was a

o do what Lieutenant Lawton asks unless he tak

he will keep your secret, at any rate. I know it will be all right, Madge; I am sure you will agree with me," she ended coaxingly, turning to her chum. "We could not refuse to do such a simple favor for a friend

l character. Suppose, after all, he did not intend to present his discovery to his Government? Were she and

ve Phil the box, Mr. La

hall want to see you and Miss Alden alone somewhere. It will only take a minute to hand you the box,

promised Phy

g man anxiously. "You are certain that you

to do anything unless you were sure that it was for the best. We will

two girls, and thus the compact, involving far more th