The Washington herald., 1915-02-07

wave Of homesickness swept over her.
They made their adieus rather hastily to Blye for
their time was q little more than up.
Just before dinner was called Mr.. WIes came
home and June happened into the library. It was
Dolys faVorte storeroom for toys, books and every
thing else. Mrs wiIes-he called her wOozly-was
sitting on the arm Of her husbands chair her arm
around his neck and his chin In the palm Of her
hand With the other hand she was twisting q lock
of his hair and over her finger, and she was
most distinctly and obviously wheedling him for
money! His voice was low and protesting with as
much sternness as a man can use when he Il being
charmed into docility. Woody Wiles locking
the money in her little inlaid desk when June next
her.
They were going out after dinner. There was
some talk about ordering car, and it needed but
one word to give Dolly start The luxurious limou-
sine of the black Vandyked man was the whole Of
her text She ratified on and on and on about It.
and she talked the pretty face of Mrs. Wies grew
more and more distressed
Harry, dear" she said, Dolly and I want a
HmousineI PleaseT
Dolly cIapped her hands
After that limousine again." he gayly comment
ed. Not now, Woozly. Business is too bad"
Il don't like business" she laughed. Its 4 mean
old thing, isn't 1t, Dolly7 Harry, pleaseT'
Get thee behind me, Woody" The man still
laughed, but he began to look very seriously at bis
charming wife You'd get anything out of a man."
And his laugh was half Vexed, altogether admiring
Pretty Mrs. Wles accepted that compliment pref
lily, but June, as she slipped out Of the library un-
observed, was hurt for the woman, for herself for
her kind, as her face betrayed Here It again
the endless. almost unvarying story Of the woman
dependent on the mans bounty and, in this case
getting all she could out Of him.
Again in the evening June heard Mrs. Wiles and
Dolly pleading for big limousine, and next day q
car costing several thousand dollars stood before
the door.
Mrs. Ned Warner had been made tremendously
thoughtful by the affairs Of the little Wiles family
There was something wrong in the custom which
made this condition possible. What was tit The
position Of donor and recipient Neither the man
nor the woman was really to blame. II was Gus
tom. And June knew what Mrs WTes would not
admit to herself If she suspected It, that the man
was being constantly wheedled beyond his means
The crash came sooner than June had expected
On the next evening after the limousine had come
home there walked into the house q grim jawed,
hard eyed man Of forty-ive whose suit case were
pasted foreign labels.
"Helo, BakerT exclaimed wiles with cordialtty.
"a little personal business" And Baker seated
himself.
"How's the London branchT asked wIes BY way
Of making conversation.
Doing very nicely" was the curt reply and Ba- :
ker shook hands with Dolly. By and by the voices
OF the men rose as they became more interested in
their conversation, and there hoated up to June an
help hearing.
You've spent itP' Bakers words were clean cu,
"In my absence Of year and q half you've over
dra wn your account $4,000 Fifty thousand dollars
was the exact amount OF your investment That
makes US quits. You'll turn your share of the
business to me Immediately"
But that leaves without a cent without an
tncome? worried Wiles He had blame for his
partner, nor was he as much crushed as he had ex-
pected to be. Il have q wife and a child you
know, Baker. could no more refuse them any
thing than could refuse bread to a starving child"
That's the trouble" Bakers voice was not harsh
1t was simply cold. You've spoiled them A wife
should be a help to man, and most Of them would
If they were given chance You made q toy of
yours"
The next morning Mrs. Wiles came up to June
She had been crying, but there was a light In her
eyes which was good to see.
Il am very sorry" she said simply. I'VE have had
q business reverse, and we shan't be able to keep
you The fact Of the matter is that we don't happen
to have cent in the house. / took all of Harrys,
pocket money yesterday, and spent It yesterday
afternoon l-I-l-that isn't quite the truth" she
suddenly blurted out I'VE are absolutely broke
We haven't any money at all"
II hurt June to part with them She had liked
them all. and when the little girl hung around her
neck they cried together, all three-June and Mrs
Wiles and Dolly
Halfway upato the avenue June walking along
and daboing her eyes occasionally, was confronted
BY some one. BlyeI ,
Which wayP be asked. y
To the employment Office" she told him and
'howed him her little purse with a laugh
It's shame that pretty girl like you has to
worry about money" And bis coal black eyes Razed
lown at her Nglowingly.
he tried to detain her; catching her gently by the
rm tried to urge her into his used all the Der
uasiveness Of his eyes and bis smile and bis suays
ourtesy, but she was obdurate.
Suddenly he jumped into his limousine and whiried
way. He was at the employment agency before
une reached it. and be had cordial chat with the
Employment agency woman. he handed her an ad- {
ress and went away.
June was delighted when she secured an open
ng quickly and started out Immediately for the
lace. For moment June felt an intense dislike
D the ugly looking house at the address given her
nd all that 1t might contain; then. laughing At her
wn fancies, she strode up the steps and rang the
ell The door swung open silently. but no one apA
cared Wondering. June walked in. and the door
ammed behind her.
Two minutes later Gilbert Blye walked up the
teps. took key from his pocket, inserted It into
be lock and smiled.
tro BE coNTISUEpl