The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1915-03-13
SEVENTH EPISODE.
The TOrmentOrS.
CHAPTER T.

-HE Widow okorfe stopped quickly aud
suatched something from the floor while
hye strangers prprcd into every absurd
nook and corner " the two rooms and bath
which comprised the Widow Ohccfcs top moor
suit The object was q small snapshot NJ June.
The deserted husband Of pretty June Warner was
al the hall door with his hand reached out Tor the
knob aud In another instant Ned Warner ana June
would have been face to face Ia that instant the
Widow OKcefc whipped the snapshot under her
apron and the very swlftncss OF the motion struck
into the corner Of Ned Warmers restless eyes lie
turned and he aud the father Of June glanced at
each other There was something suspicious IN the
bent and warped aud wthrred Widow O'keefe And
her tail slip uf n son Ned came abruptly from the
door and renewed his search. AZ that very moment
June, Just outside, had paused on the third step
from the bottom to rete the bow upon her mucy
little slipper md to give It vigorous pat to make
It behave and stay in place
slim young Sammy Okeefc walked to the win
dow whistlinE and glanced out with an air ot greot
indifference ON the other side OF the street stood
Onicer Tooc and his eyes roved anNiousy from
window to window OF the narrow, dlngy slice OF a
house which was the Widow Keefe's At sight OF
Sammy Oficcr Toole pointed cnergetcaly toward
the door He waved both arms and pointed toward
the doorway
Sammy then slipped quietly out " the room.
June The lstlcss sammy used the next quickest
method to wireless with one noiscless spring he
straddled the banster rail whLLed around the curve
and down TO June who WAS halfway up the stairs,
jumped OF with footstep as light ~ feather
grabbed the asounded girl by the wrist and dragged
her down the steps at the risk " both their necks
Sammy showed June into the second hoOr hail closet
sammy locked the door and stuck the key In his
pocket and set tue springs IN his thin legs to work
sltt aglIv nm, ht AZ gtnI
whlstling softly, when Ned Warner and MIR aud
Mrs John Moore and Bobby and Iris Bleherlng
came out Bobby extremely detected and lris Ell
planning youhly that It was all mistake. June
couldn't possibly have been here. hut she must
have been after ALL because Stll, how could It be
June In the dark closet shut on from all light aud
sound stood bewidered her eyes dstendCd 10 tho
darkness whiR Ned stood not two feet away from
her He had paused before that very door, as n
some delicate magnetism had caught and held him
there No trace Of her anywhere, no trace Of Marie,
The French Canadian maid with the high cheek
bones no trace " tho mysterious black Nandyked
man whom none Of them had cared TO mention to
the Widow O'Keefe Gilbert Bye. Ned clinched his
lists and his brow grew bIHck Ms his mind filled
with the image OF that dark, handsome face with
It's glowing eyes and suaye smile That Image had
never been absent from Ncds mind since the dis
appearance of his beautiful bride.
Ned became aware Of the Widow O'keefe eylng
him from midway Of the stairs She was trall
looking old woman, with her guarded hands cIasped
before her but her beudy little eyes we're Ms sharp
M the unexpected fires from dun Jewels and there
WIS not one move NJ Ncds purity which escaped
her Sammy, still whlstIng with ovcrnonchalauce.
was 30 persistently not gazing Al the closet door
that II was a wonder no one asked Tor the key
We're wasting our time finally said Iris Bleth
rriug We're probably letting them Gct away
And Junr.s friend took her husband with her. The
rest OF the party followed
Meanwhile Marie disguised u the sunocatingy
tight black mourning outht VI the Widow O'kecfc
was many blocks out VI the danger zone, smothering
In telephone booth and calling mp the place where
June had gone to work Mrs Willard not IN
her beautiful home up the Hudson, nor was Miss
June there They had gone into the city, but tho
maid gave Marie telephone number Mrs Willard
answered that call from gorgeously furnished
room where half dozen stunningly gowned younl
women sat smoking, and her kindly face showed In
mediate concern when she learned that June mus
not come home to the widow OKrefes
WHY she naturally wanted TO know
We'll you're friend Of hers, aren't }uuE hest
lated Marie
"Of course" smiled Mrs Willard, and before he
rose the fresh Young face " pretty June
Well then I'M tell YOU" Marie threw her th.rl
and a drop OF perpiration trckled down her nose
Pm her maid Marie and she mustn't come home
But she's already started worried Mrs Willard
she's probably there by this time why mustn
she come home|
Has sheY" And the voice of Marie cracked "Oh
Goodhy' How am 10 get her away from there"
wait minute" This seemed 10 hr no time 'o
asking questions "Il come down iu my car"
oh yes do" gssped Marie nearly pulling h'
transmlttcr orr the wall "Goodbv' have to hurry" "
"Walt nnute Wait Marie Where am / &,
come
"Oh, yes" And Marie gulped ITS the Widow
O'Keefes al the corner " Drshlcy street and Duck
sley. right scross from Tim CourEvs saloon An,
policeman can tell YOU the place Hurry" AnO
Marie starting another seam in the widow OKpcfeI
mourning dress plunged ont of tno telephone booth
battling for mir.
Mrs Willard stood at the phone o moheut with
musing smile growing upon her lips then she gay
the number NJ magnificent club Tho man whom