Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-08
NINTH EPISODE.
kidnapped.
CHAPTER 4.


From his concealment amid the shrub
berry Ned Warner rose 10 rush forward
as the brilliantly lighted Limousine. with
its gay party OF five, swept down the
drive OF the Willard home. His eyes were
burning. he was breathing heavily and
his fingers were curved like claws, for in
moment more he intended to grapple
by the throat the black Vandyked face
bent smilingly over Neds lovely runaway
bride
At that instant three shadowy figures
sprang also from amid the shrubbery,
two men and a woman. There was no out
cry and scarcely any struggle. Ned
Warner found himself suddenly seized
from behind. a rough sleeve across his
mouth, his arms pinioned. He was lifted
bodily and thrown as Gilbert Blye. with
the grace and gallantry only possible to
a polished man OF the world. assisted the
radiant June Warner from his luxurious
| limousine.
The deserted groom. his head still held
in a vise-like grip and his mouth stopped
saw his bride enter the house. surrounded
! by the gay group. the darkly handsome
Blye on ono side and the white mus
taohed Grin Cunningham on the other.
| II was Marie who made the gag TO slip
in Ned's mouth. Then Marie slipped back
of the house. The two men. one appsr-
entity chauffeur. referred TO as Henri.
and the other, a gardener. picked Ned up
and followed her. AS they passed the
brightly lighted library Ned saw June 5
collie greet her with the height OF canine
| Joy. saw Cunningham and Blye making
| friends with the dog. then saw the twin
kling-eyed Cunningham sit In a cozy
corner with June and begin an animated
tete-a-tete The chauffeur and the gar
dener shrank hack In among the bushes
with their helpless burden.
There came a high powered racer whiz
zing down the drive. The man let him
self in with a latchkey and with hii
hands in his pockets, strolled nonchal
antly into the parlor.
Mrs. Willard. talking with Gilbert Bly'
and Tommy Thomas, turned. and as sh'
saw the newcomer her eyes widened i'm
peFoeptibly and look OF concern flashed
down across her gentle eountenance.
well. Bert, you're a surprise" she said
That's my best trick" he drawled
kissing Mrs. Willard perfunctorily. Hell,
Tommy! Howdy do. Blye?"
Willard was impressed as his eyes Eel
upon the fresh beauty OF June.
Mr.. Willard, Mrs. Warner" The In
] PRODUCTION was very cold. and again tina
} concern flickered for a moment on MR.
. Wizards face as she saw her husband
1 eager interest. MY companion" sh
; added. and Cunningham and Tomm
I Thomas. glancing at each other, smileC
: With a careless nod 20 CUNNINGHAM
{ Willard walked over to June and takin
her hand. held Il while he smiled dow
o at her with such obvious admiration ths
d the helpless bound and gagged man b'
o yond the library window lurched FRI
d from his eaptors and tugged at his bono
I until they almost cut into his wrists.
Marie came back from the corner an
J. motioned. The chauffeur and the ga
u dener followed with the husband OF Il
70 beautiful young girl, who was then smi
ing her courteous responses 10 the al
g. sOlute Bert Willard. Marie sped quick
ID across the shadowy back lawn TO Il
10 garage and opened the door
r He's not TO talk. and he's not to con
near the house she whispered as a