The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-11

firmly clutehed in the strap of the tire and his empurpled face turned partly up so that the corner of one pink eye could gaze back imploringly at the pursuing car.
 In that car strained tensely forward Ned Warner sat with gritted teeth and clinched hands never re- moving his eyes from the fleeing limousine into which he had his lovely runaway bride bun dled by the scoundrelly Gilbert Bye. Again he urged the driver Jerry to greater speed He determined that this time the chase should end until he had his fingers clutched around the throat of the dark handsome with the black yandyke and had strangled him to death. He had wrecked Neds life this dastardly Blye, and nothing but life would pay. On the very day of Ned's marriage the fellows evil machinations had begun.
 The black curtained limousine just ahead wheeled around the corner and dashed up the hill at high speed, with the faithful Bill Wolf wabbing on be- hind like Japanese balloon.
 The girl in the sumptuously furnished at Mrs Russel's shrieked the name of Gilbert Bye, and he came hurryng into the room, a scowl upon his dark, handsome face Gilbert Bye pointed stern ly to the door, and Cunningham. after moment of sullen hesitation, left the room, twrlng his white mustache At the door he turned and cast upon June maevolent glare.
 'Please Please Mir. Blyer begged June.
 Come His low voice soothed her. "You must lie down and rest for few moments and promise that shall disturb you" He led her across the room. She turned up her pleading eyes to him. and he smiled down at her. He covered her with the folds of the vouminous black coat "I shall re- turn in ten mnutes,'' he said
 In the basement Marie stood with Gilbert Blye's money in her hand. She started for the door, She back and started for the stairs. She turned again to the door, again to the stairs then stood and looked at Gilbert Byes money, her high cheek bones white and ipdccsion her brow.
 Uphill and downhl rushed the black curtaincd limousine with the Moore family car still in hot pursuit
 Occasionally the well known and justly famous private detective Bill Wolf loosened his clutch for an instant, but frightened it immediately
 The sharp featured woman with the long nose and the high arched brows rolled her electric coupe LID to the door of her own house and went into the parlor
 June closed her eyes. Suddenly she sprang to her feet and. running to the door placed the tilted back of chair beneath the knob; then she stood for a moment in earnest thought She walked slowly to the wardrobe and opened it. Half dozen gaudy costumes hung there. She about hastily to bring down the least conspicuous of these, and she chose instead one of the most attractive With fe- verish speed she donned this exquisite garment con- graduating herself that it fitted her beautifully She added to- her costume headdress of beads found lying a bureau.
 As Gilbert Blye started up the stairs he stopped, surprised by the beautiful figure which emerged Nfrom the sumptuously furnished chamber, and came down toward him with queeny grace. It June, entrancing vision of lovelness in her borrowed fnery and in her eyes was new light
 Will you give me a cigarette, please:' she gayly requested him. and he looked at her in astonshment
 "Why-why. yes.' he stammered
 He produced his case, and she took cigarette. Still studying her curiousy, he lit his pocket lighter for her. and slight frown twtched upon his brow as. puckering her beautiful red lips, she blew long thin stream of blue smoke into his face.
 Come on' she called and. taking his arm, she tripped smilingly into the parlor, with sideong glance, however she left the hall at the stalwart attendant who guarded the front door.
 "Whose dress I wearing? she cheerfully de manded as she seated herself.
 "It's mine,' said of the girls, jumping up from the side of Cunningham and walking all around her. But, honey, I'm bound to say that it looks better you than it does me- And there a trace of envy in the compliment.
 "By George you're a stunnerr' said Orin Cunning ham, who had been too much astonshed to rise un- til now, and with a sidelong glance at Gilbert Bye he walked across to her. and from his pocket he drew long white leather closed with golden clasp. He opened it. drew something from it and, his eyes sparkling, held up a string of milk white pearls
 How about itT
 She flashed her large lustrous eyes at him. and her rosy lips parted in smile; then she looked at Gi- bert Blye. He hesitated a moment and nodded Then she bent her head, and Cunningham threw the string of pearls around her beautiful white neck.
 She put her arm through his and mcrrily danced across the room to a mirror where. with sparkling eyes, she admired the pretty bauble.
 "I think I'll have a cocktail, please" she said turning suddenly to Mrs Russel.
 Bless your heart, honey" laughed Mrs. Russell, 'I didn't suppose you knew how to drink cock tail"
 June was bubble, sprte, dancing efferves- cence gay little tantalization. until Mrs Russel returned with cocktails for all of them June drank hers with enchanting abandon.
 Suddenly she whired to the door, and Cunning ham followed
 NO, no"' she laughingy cried I'm going to sur prise you. You must stay in here and wait'
 Not me" laughed Cunningham.
 Then l won't surprise you" And she 1ounced into chmr with pretty pout
 Here, Cunningham" called the young man. who had followed June. we want that surprisev'
 "Sit down. Cunningham" said Bye, and he indi- cated where Cunningham to sit while he held back the portieres for June to pass.
 She stopped in the curtains
 Now, mind, none of you is to come! And have another cocktail ready for mel" She whispered something in Blye's she hurried into the hall and he threw a kiss at her.
 He put his head out however, and looked at the veried attendant That stalwart person stood stiff ly at the door and cast his gloomy eyes on June. He was the type of who would as lief mur- der beautiful woman ugly one.
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