The Washington herald., 1915-01-24


fore her like magic and closed behind her
like wall AS she turned into Central
park Fiftyninth street. safe from immediate pur'
suit the black Nandyked mans car was in a snarl
at Fifty-sixth As he came out Of that pocket he
leaned forward after look ahead, and spoke crisp
Iy to his driver. They stopped at the Plaza hotel,
and the man. hurrying up the steps, suddenly paus-
ed With a smile he drew from his pocket tiny
gold watch and opened it. Inside the lid was the
picture of a beautiful young girl with handsome
collie The black Vandyked man gazed at the pic
tUre for moment in frowninG meditation. Il was
the runaway bride!
As he entered the hotel Ned's taEt-with the fut-
tering white ribbons passed and turned into the
park just as June Warner turned out of it at Sew
enty-second street, heading for Riverside drive.
At that hour Iris Blethering pouring her volu-
BILE sadness into the ears of Bobbie in the Bether-
ing home on Riverside drive. She had been school
day chum and the bosom friend of June Moore, but
now there was June Moore, only June Warner,
and June Warner might become stranger
Rot" observed BoDbie. How long are they go
ing to be gomez"
Three weeks. It's an eternity Bobbier'
Rot said BObbie Why doesn't somebody an
swer that doorbellE'
1t had only just rung, and Immediately 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.
"JuneT
Bobble Blethering stood by and watched the tab
leau for a moment; then he went to the door and
looked out.
Where's NedT' he quite naturally inquired
The only answer a sob.
"Junie"' pleaded Iris. Where's NedT'
"I-I-I left Nedr' June walled. Il awayT'
"Aw. sayr protested Bobbie-
What did he do, dear? This from Iris.
"He-he gave me money"
He gave you money" Iris repeated this numbly
after awhile. Did you say he gave you money!
Yes" June Strengthened up she recognized
the difficulty which lay before her. Iris, while
warm and loyal friend was not exactly thought
full person a sensitive one and might perhaps
not understand the deep ethical significance Of what
had happened. Bobbie didn't count
Just after the wedding breakfast mother gave
me purse, and if had not left that on the library
table at home might not have known my predica-
ment until it was too late When Ned and l were
on the train, however missed the purse. While
was telling Ned about it he tipped the porter dol
lar 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
June. with more vigor, bound now to make them
understand Il myself being paid for being a
wife, mummy pays the servants and Ned pays
his stenographer. L Ned giving me money
ne gives it to beggars! l saw myself always hold
ing out my hand for charity! And she was most
pathetic little figure she upturned her palm Il
couldn't stand it! So l threw down the $50 and
slipped of the train and came back"
But you had money! said Iris
Il got on the train anyhow and sold my watch
to a funny old lady," June explained She paused
to remember something-the black Vandyked
who now had her watch He had bought it from
the old lady the train, that June could some
day redeem it. That very nice Of him. She
had his card and was reaching for it when she
tced that Iris had gone to the telephone.
Hyvff tha avvav
bride insisted. You would be betraying my conf
dence"
But what do you intend to do?"
What about Ned?' Bobbie suddenly blurted
"Ned's a darling!" And Junes lip quivered. Hes
an angel! But cannot be burden to be carried
on Ned's back l shall stay away from Ned until
I achieve my own independence Then we can walk
together hand in hand-in mutual self respect and
accepting from each other nothing but love!
1T is for his happiness well as for mine"
June insisted firmly. The world will not be happy
until women walk in strict equality with men, Iris,
dear" She by the face of her friend that cold
logic was wasted. The two girls walked upstairs,
and Iris ushered her still bosom friend into cozy
little guest room.
Meanwhile Ned Warner began to be familiar with
the bronze panther on the overhanging rock in the
park and. casting back in his memory reflected that
he must have passed it about five times.
But why had June married him? Why had she
walked down the aisle OF the Brynport chapel with
him that morning? Perhaps the black Vandyked
man was married, and marriage was the only road
June's own freedom.
He could stand this train of thoughts no longer.
He whirled up Riverside drive past the very house
where June was then talking to Iris, and turned his
key in the lock of the place which to have been
home Home! And this was his return! Here
were all the furnishings which they had bought to-
gether. Here had clustered all his dreams of hap
piness.
II must be his task to find that mani