The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-23
Plot bysCeorge Bronson Hoarard. N0ueHzafio

with Mary as her secretary and Mimi as her maid,
made a somewhat spectacular appearance at the
Roanoake of the select hotels of the city, and
assigned to suite, which only the most
generous bank roll could have stood. The follow
ing day Mrs. Burton who had been notified of the
girls assumed character invited her to tea, at
which she presented to group of the city's
socially and financially elect. Mona kept a sharp
eye open for Reginald Wentworth but that gentle
man did not make appearance.
The next morning found several invitations
to various affairs in her mail, and at theater
party that evening she met for the first time the
object Of her pottings. Wentworth was a tall,
well set up fellow in his early thirties, with
certain grace Of manner toward the fair sex
which had obviously won him many friends among
women. He established himself at Mona's side,
and the girl purposely made herself agreeable to
him in frank. open manner, which kept Went
worth with her for the better part of two acts
On the following afternoon, Dick Carlton
registering as Raymond Daniels Of Seattle
sauntered into the Roanoake, and that evening he
escorted Mona to another theater party, where
he duly presented to Mrs. Burton and her
friends, including Wentworth, who showed mono
too great relish when the stranger calmly ap-
prepriated the rich young Mrs Douglas for the
bulk of the evening. 1t was part of Monas plan
to give the impression that she and Carlton were
on terms of intimate Irritation, and she succeeded
admirably.
Early in the following week she considered
her preparations far enough advanced to proceed
safely with the next step in her program She
called Mimi into their s1ttlnG-room, and in
structed the maid to make an appointment with
the man, Runhe, for the park that afternoon
at two o'clock.
Hold him there until Miss Hartley arrives
with Mr.. Carlton" directed Mona. Give him any
excuse necessary. Tell him that you see a way
by which you make capital out of my sup
posed ndiscretons-anything to keep him
cupied until Miss Hartley is ready"
Promptly at o'clock, Mimi strolled to one
Of the park benches, overlooking the main drive
way with Runkle.
you say that this Mrs. Douglas is young,
and pretty and rich?" asked Runde
There is no doubt that" Mimi broke off
her sentence. couple strolling down the
path engaged in an angry dialogue 1t Mary
and Carlton AS they reached the bench, which
Mimi and her companion were getting. Mary
suddenly broke away from Carlton in a torrent
of weeping denunciation.
You tired of me You are throwing me
over for her know what is in your heart You
shall regret it soon-very soon" y With that she
tried to make scornful toss OF her pretty head,
and staggered across 10 empty bench.
Perhaps it is better to have it over with :"
he called after her, lifting his hat with flourish
AT any rate, you know the truth now !" With
out backward glance, he strolled back down
the path, leaving the weeping girl alone on the
bench For moment Mary sobbed convulsvely
and then lifted her head-to discover that she
was alone, and that Carlton had disappeared She
rose to her feet. glanced wildly about her, and
hesitatngly walked to the lake Apparently she
about to throw herself into the water
Runkle. with muttered oath, sprang across and
grasped her arm.
None Of that, young woman he snapped
as Mary glared at him. "If he has thrown YOU
over, there are far better ways of revenge Than
that"
Mary stared at him though not COM
pretending, while Mimi lowered dscreetly in the
background AT that norneat rhe honis'o OF an, aa-
tomobile horn sounded from the driveway and
the voice Of Reginald Wentworth called across
to Runkle.
IF you will wait here moment" the lat
ter said to Mary, Il should like to talk TO YOU.
And think little interview might be Of profs
to both of us"
Mary glanced quickly at Wentworth who was
watching the scene curiously from the car, and
dropped back on her bench indicating that she
would walt The opportune arrival of Wentworth
was real piece of luck.
When Rnnke returned after long talk with
Wentworth. he brought that worthy back with
him and then finally persuaded Mary TO tell them
the details of Mrs. Douglas treachery to Mary
and infdehty to her rich husband. Then with
Mary's consent, they agreed to make Mrs. Douglas
pay for it through the medium of The Tattler.
Wentworth himself drove Mary home, and he
seemed to enjoy the ride with his charming CON-
panion.
When Wentworth finally instructed the chauf-
$eur to stop, at point near the Roanoke, he