The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-24

Bobbfer@
Rot" said Bobbie why doesn't
somebody answer that doorbell?"
IL had only just rung, and imme-
iiately the hollow Blethering butler
came through. He did not return to
announce any one. however. Instead.
the caller rushed straight In and
threw herself into the arms of Iris.
"June!"
Robbie Biethering stood by and
watched the tabeau for a moment;
then he went to the door and looked
out.
Where's Ned?" he quite naturally
inquired.
The only answer Was a sob.
"June" pleaded iris. Where's
Ned ?"
ri ran away!"
Jaw, / saw" protested Bobbie
What did he do, dear?" This
from Iris.
"He-he gave me money" Iris re-
peated this numbly after awhile.
did you say he gave you money ?"
Yes" June Strengthened up as
she recognized the difficulty which
lay before her, Iris. while a warn
and loyal friend, was not exactly a
thoughtful person nor sensitive one
ana might perhaps llol thc
deep ethical significance of what had
happened. Robbie didn't count.
Just after the wedding break fast
mother gave me- purse. and IL / had
not left that on the library table at
home I might not have known nv
predicament until 1t was too late.
When Ned and I were on the train.
however, / missed the purse. While I
was telling Ned about 1t he tipped
the porter a dollar in his nice, CHEEKY
way; then he turned around and gave
me s30~-in Just the same way! Don't
YOU see? And she shuddered with
the recollection of her humiliation.
Then ] had DREAM went on June.
with more vigor. bound now to make
them understand. II saw myself be-
ing paid for being wife. as mummy
pays the servants and Ned pays his
stenographer. I saw Ned giving me
money as he gives it to beggars! ]
saw myself always holding out my
hand for charity" So ] threw down
the $50 and slipped off the train and
came back"
but you had no money!" said Iris
"I got on the train anyhow and
sold my watch to a funny old lady.
June explained. She paused to re-
member something>-the black Van
dyked man who now had her watch
He had bought 1t from the old lady
on the train. 30 that june could some
day redeem 1t. That was very nice
of him. She had his card and wa.
reaching for 1t when she noticed that
Iris had gone to the telephone.
You mustn't telephone anybodyt'
the runaway bride insisted. 'You
would be betraying my confidence!
But what do you intend to do?''
what about Ned?" Bobbie sud-
denly blurted.
auivered. He's Jan angel! But i
cannot be a burden to be carried on
Ned's back / shall stay away from
Ned until achieve my own inde-
pendence. Then we can walk to-
eether hand in hand--in mutual sell
respect and accepting from each otnei
nothing but love
at IL for his happiness as well as
for mine" June insisted firmly THE
world will not be happy until womer
walk in strict equality with men, Iris
dear" She saw by the face of hei
friend that cold logic was wasted
The two girls walked upstairs, ano
Iris ushered her still bosom friene
into a cozy little guest room,
= Meanwhile Ned Warner began u
be familiar with the bronze PaH'"e'
on the overhanging rock In the part
and, casting back his memory, re-
Elected that he must have passed u
about five times ,-,
But why had June married him
why had she walked down the aisle
Of the Brynport Chapel with him tina
morning? Perhaps the black van
dyked man was married. and mar
rage was the only road to June
own freedom.
He could stand this train o.
thoughts no longer. He whirled III
Riverside Drive. past the very hous'