The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-16

pressed shiver of disgust as she remembered
the goal before her-and thought of Mona wait
ing IN the next room, ready to appear at a given
signal.
II was feeling 50 home-sick and blue and
lonely before you camel" she sighed contentedly.
Were your" asked Fuller beaming and yer,-
turing to stroke her hair again Suddenly he
leaned forward, and before she realized his pur-
pose kissed her full on the lips. She sat erect,
with little scream.
"oh, you should not have dona thati You
should not have done that !" she cried.
And why not?" demanded Fuller, making as
though to repeat the action.
because 1t Is wrong for a 91ri to let any
man kiss her unless she Is engaged to him-and,
and L"
"Are going to be engaged to mer said
Fuller, recklessly, forgetting himself "a be leaned
her, and exhaled the fragrance Of hsr hair
You love me-don't your Say that you do-as
I love you'll"
faoe-made even more horid by the sudden riot
Of his emotions.
Then we are to be marriedr~ sns treathea
TT seems too good to be truei an really 10 b
You arss" said Fuller boldly. May kasa
you again?"
Mary's hand wandered ahsently to tho wan
at her side, and her fingers pressed the hidden
electric ball. Fuller did not notice the movement
He concerned only with the Intoxicating
vision Of thu girls lovehness-so tantalixingly
near him And in that moment he forgot every
thing. Mary sprang to her feet, his arms
sought to embrace her.
"You-you fnghten me- really believe thns
you do love mel"
Love your" cried Fuller eff Won only knsyw
how much do care! II you only knew"
Through the fat peaed suddenly the electric
bell Fuller started back with scowl and MaryAs
hands flashed instinctively to her hair.
IT wonder who that can be?" she murmured
as she looked at mirror. The bell continued 70
ring, and she hurried 10 the door--to reveal the
figure of Mona in the corridor outside The othex
girl entered with torrent of superlative femin.
Inc adjectves- 1t was not until her arms wers
about Marys neck In exaggerated hug thai
she noticed, affected TO notice the sullSy fgurs
Of Fuller in the room. She drew back with a Ito
tie gasp
I thought would drop in for little chat. bud
maybe this is where two is company
and three is
you can be the first to congratulate ner
broke in Mary proudly. stepping back. Mr.. Win
ters has just asked to be his wife,"
Mona whirled, and stood surveying the shrink
ing figure OF the banker. who recoiled before hea
flashing eyes
so you have tried TO deceive the girl, havs
you. Mr.. Winters" she sneered. 81 rather guest
was Just in time, Mary Do you know who this
tsp
What do you mean?"
II mean that hts name Is not Winters, but
Fuller-apd he already has wife. )"
"Oh. you can't be telling me the truth? You
can't be ~ walled Mary. And then she turned pte-
ously toward Fuller. Say this isn't so Say that
1t is all liza wicked lie Why don't you say
something's"
Fuller sh1nfled his feet uneasty, and them
seeing that Mona had turned, he tried TO slip be-
tween her and the wall, and thus gain the door,
But the girl was too swift for him He found him
self staring into the muzze o. revolver.
IT warn you that I shall shoot !" she said
grizzly. "You are to stay here for the present
my friend I am not done with you-not by any
ueans!"
She picked up the receiver of the telephone
and called number into the transmifter. It
the signal TO Ralph Stokes. and few moments
later that energetic young man stepped into the
room and stood surveying the group uncertainty
This Is Mr., Amesbury Of The Evening STAR
said Mona, introducing the caller to Mary. I'VE
have q rather interesting bit Of news for you,
my friend - And she made the other acquainted
ler's masquerade, and his proposal to her chum
under the alias of Winters. Fuller withdrew to
the background. staring gloomily from the win
dow. Suddenly he turned
This farce has gone far enough !" he grated
you are trying to blackmail me, all Of you! You
must think I am Reuben to let you get away
with it, Publish anything you please-but al
ways remember that have reputation for BUSH
integrity behind me. and that shall de-
1t all lie, and sue for libel"
For moment Mona stared at him silently.
She knew that the man spoke the truth-that IL It
came to q question of veracity he had nothing
to fear. She turned again to the telephone. and
spoke into the receiver the number OF Fuller's
residence. She heard the bankers muttered curse
behind her she requested the butler to call
Mrs. Fuller, and the next moment he raised his
voice sullenly.
Come away from that telephonel You wini
Now, how much do you want?"
Fifteen thousandf' said Mona coldly. with-
out moving. For another moment Fuller hesi-
tated. and then drew his check book from his
pocket.
Twill check do9" he asked ironically.
"It will not" snapped Mona Call mess
senger from your bank TO bring over the cash.
You Ak up the details laterr
''Well-you cool onel"
$50 were you when you robbed poor Minnie
Meadows of her dead fathers money!
Fulers face went ashen. without another
word, he stepped to the telephone. and gave the
necessary instructions to his bank. Even when
the messenger appeared with the packet of crisp
bills in small leather bag, and Fuller had duly
receipted for them the thoroughly cowed banker
did not break the silence. He counted out the
contents of the packets, and picked up his hat
At the door he made movement as though to
speak and then with bitter shrug. passed
into the hall, and slammed the door behind him.
Mary turned to Mona with little cry OF
relief.
"oh. am glad 1t is all overw she breathed.
The more practical Mona slowing thu
hapL-hIs into a drawer of their writing desk