The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-30

statement from her bank! Oh, it's wonderful
from his point of view. You Sec she's just given
him the checks He can say they were for pro-
8essionaI services and don't what she can
to that He doesn't help her-naturally.
No wonder she's free from pain most OF the
timer
Mary, the invalid set out TO win the Doctors
affection. In few days she and Doctor
Hyoscine were terms that approached in
timacy. and he was frequent and welcome caller
in her rooms-her supposed illness being excuss
enough Mary. of course, studied him attenttvely.
And she soon decided that the mans great weak
was his love for gambling; that 10 was upon
this side that he might be most easily approached
Frequently he was her escort In the Casino
Mary herself did not play
"Oh, have no scruples against ganblingr
she said "It's this public play that don't care
for And-must l confess it? I have a vulgar
fondness for poker, of all games OF course /
couldn't play that here! Some time though, per-
haps, could have game In my room-and I'll
show you that I'm good sport, as you men
sayl'
Hyoscine smiled He thought he knew ths
sort of poker woman would want to play! How"
ever, he would be willing TO endure even petit.
coat game for the sake of her company. he had
walked pretty far into Marys trap, this willy
doctor who had proved too clever for Lefty Mo-
Lean herselfi
Mary had seen that she must have help. And
she was not surprised when, day after her
talk about poker with Hyoscine. a bored young
man bowed to her the terrace She knew him
Marty McMurtha, whose speciality was the Inn
personation of young of wealth.
"Ah--Mr Winthrop, isn't it?' she said
"Doctor-you must meet Mr.. Wnthrop-John
HYDE Winthrop, 3rd, of Boston. He and are
always meeting at places like this!
"Oh, one does. you know" said Winthrop.
mice place this healthy, too, eh. doctorp"
Doctor Hyoscne scowled little Winthrop
did good deal TO remove any faint and lingering
doubts he had still cherished concerning Mary
The man irreproachable he was dressed in
the latest fashion. Speech, manner. appearance,
all proclaimed the man OF good family, the rari-
I'D RnE NH
plain that he in Mary a most attractive
woman, and that she was by no means indifferent
to nor displeased by his interest in her. Doctor
Hyoscine saw riyal-and naturally his own IN
terest in Mary increased at once.
That night Hyoscine. calling to sec MarF,
was disguised to find Winthrop with her He
wanted her to accompany him to the Casino
and Mary knew from Mona, that he had cashed
big check that day,
"Oh. stay here, instead" she said. Mr..
Winthrop will join us in a game OF poker-l9n
can have your excitement here OF course. the
Doctor did not know that Marty was an old card
sharp and confidence man.
He hesitated; then he yielded. He didn't want
TO leave her with Winthrop Mary sent for cards
-cleverly she substituted doctored pack for
the new one. There element Of chance in
the game that followed Marty cast caution to
the winds when he how excited the doctor
was And in less than hour Hyocine was
stripped OF all he had. Winthrop the big
winner, Mary few dollars only ahead. Win
throp, yawning. got up and excused himself
Hyocine angry, and for moment, sus-
picious But Mary was quick with her sym
pathy and reproached herself with such apparent
sincerity for her part in his loss, that he found
himself unable to believe that he had anything
more than bad luck 10 regret.
"Oh, what's the difference" he said, Inn
pulsively. Il get plenty more where that
came from. And then he turned toward her with
a sudden fierce jealousy You don't care for
that dude from Boston. do your" he cried.
Mary hesitated a moment
mo" she said, softly.
al 4ho har- ,TaAH
get the money! viii You come away with ma
then? In the morning? We can be married on the
way North"
YOU EXPECT me to decide now? Come to me In the
mornirg-and will give you my answer"
And with that assurance he had TO be con-
tent In the morning he 10 her. But NOE
before Mona early as 1t was when he came.
He got another check from her :" said Mona
1.-THE biggest of all Here la the drug-some OF
his own supply, Hurry Mary-hen be here as
soon as he has had the check cashed'
Hide In my bedroom" said Mary. ~T'1l bs
ready when he comes"
She had only Just time enough for the prcpa-
rations she had to make before he came
'I've got the money" he cried, eagerly. And
now-I want my answer! y
D. Mary made gesture of surrender, and tho
next moment he clasped her in his arms. But he
started back at once with sharp cry, looking
at his finger. On 1t there appeared tiny spot
of blood.
OH cried Mary. "Tm so sorry-see-this
pin In my waist was unfastened-it must have
scratched you!"
He laughed. Smilingly he helped her TO fastsn
the pin--and the curious ring shs
wore, nor knew that il contained hidden spring
and a tiny needle that had forced into his veins
injection of the very drug that his chief
reliance Caught in his trap II not long
before the drug took effect upon him. A stupor
overcame him. And in few minutes he was as
much at Marys mercy as Mrs Mclean had been
at his She smiled triumphantly she saw thia
Give me the money!" said Mary and hs
obeyed And now-write what 1 tell your
SO II that, when the effect of the drug
off, he found himself alone in Marys apart
ment. The girl gone-and with her ali her
belongings, and every trace of her occupancy of
the rooms Gone too, was his money Only q note
left-a note written, ss he saw in his oxwn
hand. In It he assured Mary of his love and his
repentance-and told her that he WAS giving her
the ill-gotten money he had gathered by way OF
proof of his sincerity.
"You were the victim of your own drugi"
Mary had written ironically below bis declare.
ton.
Raging. bus hopeless he sought for news OF
che GIRL only 60 find that she had left Yellow
Springs. There nothing he could do, He had
hAasI HeprfvAd of fruits ~ nxnvu SvSlIafww