The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-03-07

Tommy Thomas. with deviltry in her eyes. was
laughing at Cunningham. 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 on the bed
face downward. She seemed even sad.
BEG 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 motionless, and there was a
strained tension In the room until the nurse went
out She Mrs. Willard reaching forward for
the piece Of paper as she closed the door. and as
she walked away she heard Blyes smooth. even
voice again.
When June came into Mrs. Wizards room the con-
versation again stopped abruptly. but the group
moved Immediately.
"Oh. see the pretty nursie." 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 ut Cunningham. He flushed and walked
nervOusly over to the window.
Really the costume is quite becoming to you" he
added in tone he had never used to her before.
one Of extravagant respect.
Indeed 1t Is dear said Tommy Thomas She
slipped an arm around Junes waist protectingy.
and Mrs. Willard glanced up at her companion with
moist eyes.
We'll We'll see you later" said T. J. Edwards
with clumsy attempt at heartiness and. rising, he
bowed to the ladies. "If there's anything l can do
let me know" His small eyes roved to June but
there was patronizingly fatherly glance in them
and no disposition to pat her the shoulder
June was puzzled There seemed to be a distinct
change in the attitude OF all these people toward
her. Yesterday they had pursued her with a mock
ing certainty in which there underlying in
science, but now they seemed to have lost that
note of Overfamiliarity, and she liked the change.
Only Bye was the same. His black eyes glowed
when they rested upon her. and he still wore his
suave smile. though somehow he seemed more
frank June found herself suddenly liking this
black Nandyked man. AS she turned to smooth
Mrs. Wizards pillows the three men exchanged
glances, and the suavely smiling Gilbert Blye sroked
his black Vandyke. They turned their eyes by
one accord to the beautiful runaway bride.
Ned Warner at the very moment in which Blye
and his crowd had changed their tactics toward
June was, after intermnable red tape. securing the
address of the owner of No. M6O77O7 and. that
secured, he hurried out to the beautiful home of
Mis-. Willard up the Hudson He came to 1t by the
lower road. and as he approached the house he saw
Marie in the sloping hillside garden He stepped in
the shelter Of the wall to consider. A few days ago
his 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 a
slippery customer She had denied knowing Ned
she had denied knowing earnest and eager and
black Aunt Debby when that faithful servant of
June's mother had happened upon Marie in the mar
ket, and only yesterday Marie had away from
tIe eHtre June COME. bOuncer, WIN
her There was little to he gained from Marie. II
Ned were able to force himself in and search the
house June would be hidden by some be
helped to escape. had happened yesterday at the
Widow O'Keefes and also at the Bond Securities
building and everywhere else. So there but
thing to do-to 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
Blye left the hospital. and in its brilliantly lighted
comfort sat the precious June and Mrs Willard,
Tommy Thomas, Grin Cunningham and Gilbert Blye
Strange what a difference this day had made in
Junes feeling toward these people. They liked her
If their views of life were not her views she could
keep her own. They seemed to have discovered that
she meant retain her Of thinking and living
and It was much nicer since they had apparently
nc knowledged this. Now her work companion to
Mrs. Willard would be much more pleasant They
chatting in gay comradeship they drew
near the Willard home
Ned Warner az the shades Of night drew in ven
turcd into the Willard garden and nearer the house
As he crept up toward the back porch the door
opened, and Junes collie came bounding out for an
evening Bouncer had sooner hit the open
than he gave a loud yelp and came tearing straight
in Ned's direction. He jumped mad circles around
Ned eaped upon him. barking his loudest welcome.
ran halfway up to the house. back to bark his
Joy at Ned again and started to bring Marie!
He had need to go all the way. Marie had
come out the rear porch to what was the
matter with Miss Junes pet, and the lights from the
house gistened on her high check bones and her
liberal supply Of gums.
Ned had stepped back among the bushes with the
hope Of edging himself over to the wall before Ma
ne could arrive. To his surprise. however Marie
though she looked down in that direction did not
'ome She called Bouncer, and together they went
INTO the house Ned took advantage Of Marie's in
difference and Of Bouncers confinement slip clos
n and look in at the windows front side and rear
The lower floor was brightly Illuminated. and the
'front.' porch light was lit as II some one were ex-
,ected. June! Some instinct told Ned that she was
,oming. He concealed himself behind the shrubbery
lear the porte-cochere and waited.
Suddenly he Involuntary tensed himself Wheels
we're approaching Then a brilliantly lighted limou-
line sped into sight. and as It turned the curve Ned
aw in It his beautiful runaway bride. Over her
vas bending the dark handsome face Of the black
'andyked Gilbert Blye his eyes glowing and on his
lps that despcable smile
With an oath Ned stepped forward. At last bis
moment had arrived. Within another instant a.
hilbert Blye helped June from the limousine Ned
you'd have the scoundrel BY the throat
tTo BE CONTINUED