Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-03-23
NINTH EPISODE
Kidnapped
PIER L

CHAP TEX ].
ROM his concealment amid the
h shrubbery Ned Warner rose 70
Ill rush forward as the brilliantly
lighted limousine, with its gay
party Of five, swept down the drive of
the Willard home. His eyes were burn
ing, he was breathing heavily, and his
fingers were curved like claws, for in
a moment more he intended to grapple
by the throat the black Vandyked face
bent smilingly over Ned's lovely run
away bride
At that instant three shadowy fig
ures sprang also from amid the shrub
berry, two nen and a woman. There
was no outcry and scarcely any strug-
gle. Ned Warner found himself sud
denly seized from behind, a rough
sleeve across his mouth, his arms pin
toned.
He was lifted bodily and thrown as
Gilbert Blye, with the grace and gal
lantry only possible to polished man
of the world, assisted the radiant June
Warner from his luxurious Limousine.
The deserted groom, his head stil
held in a viselike grip and his mouth
storped, saw his bride enter the house.
surrounded by the gay group, the dark
" handsome Blye on one side and the
white mustached Grin Cunningham on
the other.
1t was Marie who made the gag to
slip in Ned's mouth. Then Marie slip
ped back OF the house.
The two men, one apparently a
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's
collie greet her with the height of ca
nine Joy, saw Cunningham and Blye
making friends with the dog, then saw
the twinkling eyed Cunningham sit in
a coy corner with June and begin an
animated tete-a-tete.
The chauffeur and the gardener
shrank back in among the bushes with
their helpless burden.
There came a high powered racer
whizzing down the drive. The man
let himself in with a latchkey and,
with his hands in his pockets, strolled
nonchalantly into the parlor
Mrs. Willard, talking with Gilbert
Bye and Tommy Thomas, turned, and
as she saw the newcomer her eyes
widened imperceptibly, and look Of
concern flashed down across her gentle
countenance.
well, Bert, you're a surprise" she
said.
That's my best trick" he drawled,
kissing Mrs. Willard perfunctorily.
Hello, Tommy! Howdy do, Blye?"
Willard was impressed as his eyes
fell upon the fresh beauty of June.
"Mr. Willard, Mrs. Warner" The in
trodul ton was very cold, and again
that concern fiickered for moment on
Mrs. Wizards face as she saw her hus-
bands eager interest. MY compan-
ion," she added, and Cunningham and
Tommy Thomas, glancing at each 9TH
er, smiled.
With careless nod to Cunningham,
Willard walked over to June and, TAX
ing her hand, held it while he smiled
down at her with such obvious admira-
ton that the helpless bound and gag
ged man beyond the library window
lurched free from his captors and tug
ged at his bonds until they almost cut
into his wrists.
Marie came back from the corner
and motioned. The chauffeur and the
gardener followed with the husband Of
the beautiful young girl, who was then
smiling her courteous responses to the
diSsolute Bert Willard.
Marie sped quickly across the shad-
owy back lawn to the garage and open
ed the door.
Hes not to talk, and he's not to
come near the house" she whispered