The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-04-16
to spend their money.

to spend their money.
1t was here that Mary, Interestingly pale
came accompanied by her devoted and remark
ably good looking maid. Mary, it was given out
was recovering from a severe illness and her ap-
pearanoe bore out the statement II was for rest
rather than the cure, that she had come-Mary
had baked resolutey against drinking the waters
and taking the baths She had felt moreover
that 1t might be good thing TO have excuse
Tor keeping to her rooms, if that seemed likely
TO further their plan once it was made
Mona. in her character as Mary's maid
wasted no time after their arrival They reached
the Springs late in the afternoon; before bedtime
Mona was familiar with Mrs. McLean's routine.
II had not proved difficult to gather the facts she
had wanted to learn.
The whole place talks about her." she told
Mary, when they were in their rooms. She's
here with maid, and she's taking medical treat
ment from Doctor Brown nice-Iooking young
fellow She spends the whole morning on the
terrace every day. summing herself. and for the
last day or two she's been quarreling with the
doctor because she doesn't get well more quickly.
She is always complaining of the expense. and
saying she'll have to go to live in one of her own
tenements to economic, when she goes home.
bet she will, too-shes done that before"
What's the maid look likeP'
She's just ordinary-and she's not one of
lettys regular servants. She was picked I'D on
this trip, and I think she's pretty tired of her
job. She talks a good deal about Lettys mean
ness. l think she's been used to living with rich
people, and that Letty's rather q shock to herr
Il can quite believe !" said Mary Shed
be shock to almost anyone who was used to
dealing with human beings, you know! Well
you'll bundle me up carefully tomorrow morning
and find nice long chair for me as near to
Letty's as you can manage! Then we'll what
we'll see"
There wasn't so much for them to see As
matter OF fact it was what they heard that was
interesting, as it turned out. What they saw was
woman well over sixty, dressed in faded black
with shabby shawl about her thin shoulders
and a bonnet, long out Of style, perched upon her
thin gray hair. This was the formidable Lefty
Mclean, who was supposed to be the richest
woman in the world and was certainly the mean
est. Her maid brought her out to her accustomed
chair, where the sun was strongest, and in few
moments her doctor hustled up--a young man:
energetic and forceful At once Lefty broke out
into sharp TRADE against him.
You robber !" she cried, in a high, nervous
voice. Just because I'm supposed to have a little
money you think I'll submit to extortion! You're
like all the rest of the thievng crewl I won't
pay your bill-no wonder you sent it to me- and
were afraid to present it yourself! It's ex-
tortionI !"
I'm sorry you think So" said the doctor,
little angry, but amused too, IL was plain. "Tve
simply made my usual charge, Mrs Mclean. You
must remember that you've claimed my undivided
attention since you've been here"
"Yes-and a lot of good you've done me-
tool" she said, shrilly. I'm no better than was
when came down here! It's all a conspiracy to
part me from my money!
Mona and Mary exchanged meaning glances.
And suddenly they saw that they were not the
only interested auditors OF this dispute. dis
tinguished looking, bearded man of the profess
sional type. who stood below the terrace. was
listening, too. He smiled as if it were an ex-
cellent joke. The two girls looked at him, and at
one another.
I've seen him somewhere! !" said Mary.
$50 have T. said Mona, but 1 can't place
him! I wonder-?"
II think know how TO find out" said Mary
Take me in--T'm going to write some letters"
1t was three days before the answers TO the
inquiries that Mary had made came. On second
thought she had telegrsphed instead Of writing
and had used sort Of code, to defy possible
curiosity, concerning herself Meanwhile things