The Washington herald., 1915-02-28

snatched something from the floor while
five strangers peered into every absurd
nook and corner OF the two rooms and bath
which comprised the Widow O'keefeS top floor
suit. The object small snapshot Of June.
The deserted husband of pretty June Warner was
at the hall door with his hand reached out for the
knob and in another instant Ned Warner and June
would have been face to face! In that instant the
Widow Okeefe whipped the snapshot under her
apron and the very swiftness of the motion struck
into the of Ned Warmers restless eyes. lie
turned, and he and the father of June glanced at
each other. There something suspicious in the
bent and warped and withered Widow O'keefe and
her tall slip of a Ned came abruptly from the
door and renewed his search. At that very moment
June, just outside. had paused on the third step
from the bottom TO rete the bow upon her saucy
little slipper and 10 give 1t vigorous pat to Lake
il behave and stay in place.
Slim young Sammy OKeefe walked to the win
dow. whiStling and glanced out with air OF great
indifference On the other side Of the street stood
Officer Toole. and his eyes roved anIiously from
window 10 window Of the narrow, dingy slice of
house which the Widow OKeefe's. At sight Of
Sammy Officer Toole pointed theoretically toward
the door. He waved both arms and pointed toward
the doorway.
Sammy then slipped quietly out Of the room.
June. The listless Sammy used the next quickest
method to wireless. With noseess spring he
sraddled the banster rail- whizzed around the curve
and down June. who was halfway up the stairs.
jumped off with a footstep light feather.
grabbed the astounded girl by the wrist and dragged
her down the steps the risk Of both their necks
Sammy showed June into the second floor hall closet
Sammy locked the door and stuck the key in his
pocket and set the springs in his thin legs 10 WORK
and sitting lazly the top step. bored and
whstling softly when Ned Warner and Mr.. and
Mrs John Moore and Bobby and Iris Bethering
came out, Bobby extremely detected and Iris eX-
planning volubly that it was all a mistake. June
couldn't possibly have been here But she must
have been after all. because STILL how could it be?
June in the dark closet shut off from all light and
sound stood bewdered, her eyes distended in the
darkness while Ned stood not two feet away from
her He had paused before that very door, as II
some delicate magnetism had caught and held him
there No of her anywhere: no trace OF Marie,
the French madam maid with the high cheek
bones: no trace of the mysterious black Nandyked
man. whom none of them had cared to mention to
The Widow O'keefe Gilbert Blye. Ned cnched his
fists and his brow grew black his mind filled
with the image of that dark. handsome race with
It's glowing eyes and smile That image had
never been absent from Neds mind since the dis
appearance of his beautiful bride.
Ned became aware of the Widow O'keefe ey1ng
him from midway of the stairs. She WAS fratl
looking old woman, with her gnarled hands ciasped
before her. but her beady little eyes were as sharp
As the unexpected fires from dull Jewels and there
was not move of Neds party which escaped
her Sammy. still whistlinS with overnonchalance.
was SO persiscntly not gazing at the closet door
that it a wonder one asked for the key.
We're wasting our time" finally said Iris Beth-
ering We're probably letting them get away"
And Junes friend took her husband with her The
rest OF the party followed.
Meanwhile Marie. disguised in the suffOcatingly
tight black mourning outfit of the Widow Okeefe.
many blocks ont of the danger zone, smothering
in telephone booth and calling up the place where
June had gone TO work. Mrs. Willard was not In
her beautiful home up the Hudson. nor was Miss
lima tbara had
maid gave Marie a telephone number. Mrs Willard
answered that call from a gorgeously furnished
room where half a dozen stunningy cowned young
women sat smoking. and her kindly face showed i'm
mediate concern when she learned that June must
not come home to the Widow Okeefes
Why" she naturally wanted to know.
We'll. you're friend of hers. aren't you?" hest
tated Marie.
of course" smiled Mrs. Willard, and before her
rose the fresh young face of pretty June.
We'll, then I'll tell you" Marie threw her thick
black veil her shoulder for the twentieth time,
and drop OF rerspiration trickled down her nose
I'm her maid Marie. and she mustn't come home.
"Rut she's already started" worried Mrs Willard
shes probably there by this time. Why mustn't
she come home?"
Has she?" And the voice of Marie cracked. ''Oh!
Goodby. How am l to get her away from there
Wait a minute" This seemed TO be no time for
asking questions. "I'll come down in my carr
oh yes do" gasped Marie. nearly pulling the
transmitter off the wall. Goodby! nave 10 hurrE!
Wait n minute. Wait, Marie! Where am l to
Gomez"
oh yesr' And Marie gulped. ITS the Widow
O'Keefes at the corner Of Deshey street and Duck
alley right across from Tim Courky's saloon Any
policeman can tell you the place. Hurryw And
Marie starting another seam in the Widow O'Keefe's
mourning dress plunged out Of the telephone BOOTH
battling for air.
Mrs Willard stood at the phone a moment with
nusing smile growing upon her lips; then she gave
the number OF a magnificent club. The man whom
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