The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-07
SECOND EPISODE
In Pursuit of the Runaway Bride


at Fifty-sxth As he came out Of that pocket he
leaned forward. after look ahead, and spoke crisp
y to bis driver. They stopped at the Plaza notei'
and the man. hurrying up the steps, suddenly paus-
ed With smile he drew from his pocket tiny
gold watch and opened 1t. Inside the lid was the
picture Of beautiful young girl with handsome
collie. The black vandyked man gazed at the pic
tuse for Z moment In frowning meditation. 1t was
the runaway bride!
As he entered the hotel Ned's taxi. with the fut-
tertng white ribbons passed and turned into the
park Just ~ June Warner turned out Of 1t at Sew
snty-secona street, heading for Riverside drive.
At that hour Iris Bethering sat pouring her voiu-
bic sadness into the ears Of Bobbie In the betner
Ing home on Riverside drive. She had been school
day chum and the bosom friend of June Moore. but
new there was no June Moore only June Warner,
and June Warner might become a stranger
Rot" observed Bobbie. How long are they go
ing to be gomez
Three weeks. It's eternity. BobbieT'
Rot said Bobbie. why doesn't somebody an
swer that doorbell?"
It 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.
June
Robbie Blethering stood by and watched the tab
lean for a moment; then he went to the door and
,ooked out.
where's Nedg" he quite naturally inquired.
The only answer was Sob
JUNE" pleaded Iris. where's Nedf'
Ill left Ned. June walled. Il ran awayT'
"Aw. sayr' protested Bobbie
what did he do. deary" This from Iris.
"Hr--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 as she recognized
the difficulty which lay before her. Iris. while
warm and loyal friend. was not exactly thought
full person sensitive one and might perhaps
not understand the deep ethical significance of what
had happened. Bobbe didn't count.
Just after the wedding breakfast mother gave
me purse and II had not left that the library
table At home might not have known my predica-
ment until It was too late. When Ned and were
on the train however, missed the purse While
was telling Ned about 1t he tipped the porter dol
lar In hts nice, CHEEKY way; then he turned around
and gave me $30-in Just the same way! Don't you
yee?" And she shuddered with the recollection of
her humiliation. Then had dream, went on
June. with more viEor. bound now to make them
understand. Il saw myself being paid for being
wife, a. mummy pays the servants and Ned pays
hin steAographer. I saw Ned giving me money
h gives Il to beggars! saw myself always hold
ing cut ny hand for charityr' And she was most
pathetic littls dsurs she upturned her palm II
couldn't stand It. So threw down the $40 and
slipped on the train and came back"
but you had no money! said Iris
81 rot on the train anyhow and sold my watch
to 4 funny old lady" June explained. She paused
to remember something-the black vandyked man
whS now had her watch He had bought II from
the old lady the train, 30 that June could some
day redeem It. That was very nice of him. She
had his card and was reaching for 1t when she no
ticed that Iris had gone to the telephone.
you mustn't telephone anybody the runaway
bride insisted. 'You would be betraying my conf
dsncey
but what do you intend to dor
"What about Nedy Bobbie suddenly blurted. m
the thought Of young Warner. alone on the train
with the honeymoon luggage, flashed on his mind
"Ned's a dariing.' And June's lip quivered Hes
an angel! But cannot be burden to be carried
on Ned's back. shall stay away from Ned until
l 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 as well as for mine"
June insisted firmly "The world will not be happy
until women walk In strict equality with men. Iris.
dear" She saw by the face of her friend that cold
logic was wasted. The two girls walked upstairs,
and Iris ushered her still bosom friend into coy
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 Ave 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 yandyked
man was married. and marriage the only road
TO Junes own freedom
He could stand this train Of thoughts no longer.
He whirled up Riverside drive. past the very house
where June 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 Ill tho furnishings which they had bought to-
scther Here had clustered all his dreams Of hap
siness.
II wSst b HI task to find that mani