The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-14

once, and she was already studying his safe. Ana so, dub1ously, she consented Reynolds did not give her chance to change her mind He sent for his servants at once and introduced her as their new mistress. Mona shivered as she saw the way the maids looked at her. They understood!
 Mona, as matter of fact had anticipated the possibility that Reyaeldszwoula proposersome such arrangement. With that in mind she had warned Mary that she might not return and had made arrangements for keeping in touch with her chum She was well content. She was by no means lnsensible to the risk she was running to the false position in which she had deliber- ately placed herself. But she confident, too, of her ability to cope with Reynolds. She knew, from the way he looked at her, that she had a power over him, and she meant to use it to the fullest possible extent.
 "That night, indeed, after she had once gone to her own room and assured herself that she cculd lock herself in. she deliberately ventured into the lions den, metaphorically speaking. She went down to the office, which Reynolds also used as library. He was sitting there, aone-the servants had all retired. At the sight of her he started up plainly pleased. but Mona drew back in confusion. TT took the liberty of coming down to borrow book,' she said. "I like to read myself to sleep.'
 Help yourself my dear,' he said. You" he chuckled, meaningly, and leered at her you're welcome to more than a book from me p
 She went to the shelves, and, after she had selected novel, made for the door.
 Sit down." he said. "Sit down and talk to me little. You're bonny company for an old fellow like me. But-Im not too old am I?'
 "Oh, mo-" she said. q mustn't stay. Remem- Der, I'm only your housekeeper MT. Reynolds
 He cackied at that, and she started she saw him go to his safe and open it. But, though she tried, she couldn't make out the combination he was shrewd enough to prevent that. When he turned back he held out necklace to her. a string of sparkling brliants.
 Look at the pretties!" he said.
 Mona took the necklace and looked at it admiringy.
 "Its beautiful she said q envy you that, believe"
 "Ha-ha !' he chuckled. "Try it on. my dear Who knows? If you and get along you might wear it for your own!"
 Mona pretended not to understand, and turned it to him. "Now I must go to bed," she said Good night, MT. Reynolds"
 "so soon," he said wistfully. "I've got more jewels to show you"
 "More?" she said "I should think you'd be afraid of thieves!"
 'I'm guarded against them," he said, shrewd- ly. "Look-I'll show you"
 And in the next few moments, thanks to his vanity, Mona was able to make mental chart of the whole burglar alarm system that pro- tected the place. She had hoped for this, rather than expected it. And then she went to her room. But in few minutes there came tap ping at her door.
 "It's me P said her employers cracked voice. "Is everything all right?'
 Quite, thanks" said Mona, with an affecta- ton of sleepiness in her voice.
 He turned away at that and went to his own room, disappointment plainly written on his face
 Mona slept little. But she was up, bright and fresh, in the morning. She not afraid of Reynolds by day. As she suspected he had plenty to keep him occupied, that while he might think of her, he would not have the time to pursue her with his horrible attentions. His "clients people of all sorts and conditions since all appeared to be grist that came to his evil mill. began to arrive soon after breakfast, and came all day long, in steady stream. It was easy to understand that his business was a profitable one. Mona meanwhile had affairs of her own that demanded her attention. The first