Omaha daily bee., 1916-05-21
Story No. THE Rogue's Nemesis

at once and stared frankly at her
He nodded in solemn approval ano
said something at which Clay and the
rest OF the men at his table reared
Clay at once began TO play the
game Of filtration. He was direct, not
subtle in his methods; it was plain
that he believed that any woman he
deigned to notice must be delighted
by the honor he paid her Mary pre-
tended not TO notice him at first
finally, however, she smiled, and
nodded family Clay rose at once
and came over to her table, Mary
saw a waiter smile, knowingly, but
there was nothing unusual in that
place about Clay's action.
"Hellop he said, in a heavy voice.
Glad to see you here! Thought
knew you-wasn't sure till you
smiled"
Won't you sit DOWN." asked Mary,
timidly.
Sure, | will, surep he said How
about a little wine--hey"
He reached over and tried to take
her hand, but she withdrew II
quickly.
"Oh. no-no, pleaseP' she said.
Not in a place like thisp
He laughed, not ill-pleased
Jaw, who cares2" he said.
She was fumbling at the plain gold
ring on the third finger of her lett
hand. His eyes lighted up. A look
OF understanding came into them.
"Oh---that's the ticket, chr" he said.
Married, are your Afraid friend hus-
band will turn up and start some
thing? Well, say--what do you say
to little spin in my car, chr Got II
right outside-we can run around
and get an appetite and then stop
somewhere along the road for a
snack. Sure--sure--come onF
Il shouldn't" faltered Mary, But,
oh, do love TO motor"
"Then come on" he said. "Tll just
shake this crowd OF mine--be with
you before you can turn around. I'll
show you some speed in that new car
OF mine--some speed. Every cops
trained to turn his back when he
sees me coming
In a few minutes they were spin
ing north through Central park; it
was not long before the salt air from
the sound cooled her feyered cheeks,
and she began actually TO enjoy the
wild rush through the night air He
drove we'll; the car was completely
under his CONTROL despite the dizzy
speed at which he drove it. And--he
was too busy TO talk, even had the
roar OF the engine and the swift rush
Of the air made it possible for them
TO hear one another.
They stopped at last, when it was
late, at roadhouse, where they had
a table overlooking the sound, where
the lights twinklcd red, white and red
again, across the water. Few peo-
pie we're in the place; Clay had
chosen it for its isolation.
"So-you're married, hey?" he said,
when he had given the order. well,
that's too bad, kid, too bad. Don't
get along any too we'll, either"
"Oh--Otto's all right, in his way
but he doesn't weigh muchl" said
Mary flippantly. THE trouble with
him is he's a genius"
"A genius, huhl" said Clay, with
great laugh. whats his line?"
Hes musician. And he's some
yiolinist, if | do say II. He writes
music, too. That's the trouble. He's
always thinking about that, when he
ought to be thinking about me-
She looked at him proyocatively,
and once more he reached for her
hand. But once more it eluded him.
He plays all the time" she COM
planned. Morning, noon and night
whenever he's home. Says he's got
to work out the themes for the sym
phony he's writing, that's going to
make him famous. That's all right,
you know-but if gets tiresome after
while"
"sure-oh. sure" said Clay. Say,
kid-why don't you shake himl A
nice little girl like you oughtn't to be
tied up to a dub like that"
"Oh, you don't know him." said
Mary, frightened. He'd kill me. You
never saw such jealous man in
your life. He's too busy with his
music to bother with me-but If any
other man looks at me-whewP
"Gee--whats he expectl" asked
Clay. The poor sucker"
He expects a LOT" said Mary.
Why the other day | met a fellow
in the street | used to go to school
with-and, of course, | stopped to
talk with him. Why notY"
II should say you would"
Well, Otto came along, and my.
but you should have seen the way
he cut up. He was perfectly wild
He pushed my friend away and
dragged me home, He said | was
driving him mad-that was driving
all his inspiration away What arc
you going to do with a man like
that}"
Forget him" said Clay. SAY it's
a good thing you met me. Ii Otto
ever stacks up against me he'll won
der whether he got gay with Jess
Willard OF the Singer building fell
down on him We're going TO he
pals sou and
You're awiully sure. aren't you'"
said Mary, tfmptlngly How do you
know Ike sou 40 much +"
II know he told her, chuekling.
SAY where's ltttls Otto tonight
Playing with bin orchestra there
WAS a concert said MARY That's
why I'm out OIL didn't know il
Was s Latte
Late IRIS rafbr protested Clay.
"Na no." said Mary auKiously
"Nnnve Kut t0 ruth ms homf IN
hurry AT vati 8ffgN a. faaf - 80,