The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-21

door presently aud heard these words In Blye's
suave but forceful tones:
"The thing to do Is to gain her confidence, There
must be complete change of method. .".s /
The voice stopped abruptly Edwards, Cunning
ham, Tommy Thomas and Mrs Willard we're all
listening intently. Mrs Willard seemed troubled
Tommy Thomas, with deyiltry In her eyes, was
iauthhg at Cunning ham,. WHO seemed uncomforta
BILE The round headed Edwards sat slowly nodding
as he looked at Bye. Mrs. Willard reached quietly
forward and turned the piece of paper the bed
face downward. She seemed even sad
Reg PARDON" said the pretty nurse, noting the
sudden silence, and, slipping in. she put her hand
under" the sheet and felt OF Mrs Wizards ankle.
The entire group was motioness, and there was
strained tension in the room until the nurse went
out. She Mrs. Willard reaching forward for
the piece of paper she closed the door, and as
she walked away she heard Blye's smooth, even
voice again
When June came into Mrs Wizards room the con-
versaton again stopped abruptly, but the group
moved Immediately.
oh see the pretty nursic.H hailed Cunningham
And June glanced down in embarrassment.
In that moment Of her downcast eyes Tommy
Thomas and Mrs Willard, bye and Edwards, all
glared Mt Cunningham. He flushed and walked
nery ously over To the window.
REALLY the costume is quite becoming to YOU" he
added in he had never used to her before.
one of extravagant respect
Indeed 1t is. dear said Tommy Thomas. She
slipped an around June's waist protectingy.
and Mrs Willard glanced up at her companion with
moist eyes.
We'll, we'll see you later" said T. ]. Edwards,
with clumsy attempt at heartiness. and. rising he
bowed to the ladies' IF there's anything can do
let know" His small eyes royed to June. but
there patronzingy fatherly glance in them
and disposition TO pat her on the shoulder.
June puzzled. There seemed to be distinct
change In the attitude of all these people toward
her. Yesterday they had pursued her with mock
ing certainty In which there was underlying in
science, but now they seemed to have lost that
of overfamiliarity and she liked the change.
Only Blye was the same. His black eyes gowed
when they rested upon her, and he still his
suave smile though somehow he seemed more
frank. June found herself suddenly liking this
black Vandyked man, As she turned to smooth
Mrs Wizards pillows, the three men exchanged
gances and the suavey smiling Gilbert Blye stroked
his black Vandyke, They turned their eyes as by
, one accord to the beautiful runaway bride.
Ned Warner at the very moment in which bye
and his crowd had changed their tactics toward
June was, after interminabe red tape securing the
address OF the owner OF No! M6aT7oI. and, that
secured. he hurried out the beautiful home Of
Mrs Willard up the Hudson He came to 1t by the
lower road. and as he approached the house he
Marie In the slopng hillside garden He stepped In
the shelter OF the wall to consider. few days ago
bis first Impulse would have been to rush up to
Marie and seize her and compel her to tell what
she knew, but Marie had proved herself TO be
slippery customer Shs had denied knowing Ned
his first meeting with her after the runaway:
she had denied knowing earnest and eager and
black Amt Debby when that faithful servant of
Junes mother had happened upon Marie in the mar
ket and only yesterday Marie had run away from
the entire family, taking Junes collie. Bouncer. with
her There was little to be gained from Marie. If
Ned were able force himself In and search the
house June would he hidden by be
helped to escape. had happened yesterday at the
Widow OKeefe's and also at the Bond Securities
building and everywhere else, So there was but
thing to doto conceal himself about the grounds
until June herself should appear. He adopted that
course, and the weary hours dragged on, noon, aft
ernoon evening.
With the dusk the luxurious limousine of Gilbert
Biye left the hospital, and in its Brilliantly lighted
comfort sat the precious June and Mrs. Yiliard,
Tommy Thomas. Grin Cunningham and Gilbert BJe.
Strange what difference this day had made, In
Junes feeling toward these people They liked herr
II their views OF life were not her views she could
keep her They seemed to have discovered that
she meant 10 retain her ways Of thinking and living
and 1t was much nicer since they had apparently
acknowledged this. Now her work companion to
Mrs Willard would be much more pleasant They
were chatting In gay comrades hip as they drew
near the Willard home,
Ned Warner as the shades OF night drew In ven
tured the Willard garden and nearer the house
As he crept up toward the back porch the door
opened and June's collie came bounding out for an
evening Bouncer had no sooner hit the open
than he gave a loud selp and came tearing straight
in Neds direction. He jumped mad circles around
Ned, eaped upon him. barking his oudest welcome
ran halfway up 10 the house. ran back to bark his
10y at Ned again and started to bring Marie!
He had need TO go ali the way. Marie had
come out on the rear porch to see what was the
matter with Miss Junes pet and the lights from the
house glstened her high cheek bones and her
liberal supply OF gums
Ned had stepped beck among the bushes with thea
hope OF edring himself over 70 the wall before Ma.
RE could arrive To his surprise, however Marie,
.tohgh she hooked down In that .direetion.. did not
come She called R6Hncer and topcther they went
into the house Ned took advantage Of Maries in
difference and Of Rouncers confinement to slip clos.
er and look In at the windows. front side and rear
The lower floor was brightly illuminated. and the
front porch light was lit II one were ex--
peeteh June! Some instinct told Ned that she was
coming He concealed himself behind the shrubbery
near the porte-cochere and waited. !,
=, Suddenly he involuptarily tensed himself. Wheels
were approaching. Then brilliantly lighted iinous,
sine sped into sight and turned the curve Ned
saw In It his beautiful runaway bride. Over her