The Washington times., 1916-02-01

let me hnd June Travis and spring the
right sort of hard luck whine, and she'll
help me out all hight. all rightr,
Meanwhile, at surfton, June Travis
had Just done what Mary character
lied as "a foolish, dangerous thing, II
ever there was one"
The girl had sent the following tele-
gram to Lamar-first showing IL mis-
GENEROUSLY to the scandalized and pro-
testing Mary:
"Mr. Max Lamar, 5I2 Blank Building:
"As your assistant In Red Circle
cases, report monkey stolen from
llanan organgrinder by girl with Red
circle on hand. Mary saw her: gives
description Of red hair and blue eyes.
Better come down and investigate.
JUNE TRAVIS"
You're never going to send that
crazy message? Mary gasped, as June,
pansing IN their morning walk. at tho
dispatch and laughingly showed 1t 60
her.
For reply June handed the telegram
TO the desk clerk.
and seemed about to burFt into a tor
rent OF protest, but June drew out into
the street and hurried her along the
sidewalk homeward. Mary suffered her.
self to be propelled thus, but all the
way she scolded shrilly.
As they reached the foot of the steps
leading up to the Travis cottage, on the
side OF the bluff overlooking the sea,
why ever did you do such a thing.
precious" ?"
She asked It for the fiftieth time in
her TRADE, but for the first time she
paused for an answer. And June re-
piled:
"I-I don't know just why did tt
any more than seem TO know why I
do anything at all nowadays. Perhaps
II was the perverse spirit that ts al
ways goading me on TO mischief. Per-
haps | feel safer to think OF his work.
ing out false clue whore l can watcn
him and circumvent him. instead OF let-
ting him follow his own deductions AT
long range: for he's dreadfully clever,
Mary Perhaps"
But. deRrie--"
Perhaps" said the girl. unheeding.
her voice softeninE and a light creep
ing into her great. dark eyes, per
haps I'm-I'm a little lonely for him"
"Junew cried the old woman. aghast.
averted face. June! My baby, you've
surely never gone and let yourself
get interested in"
Interested? Yes" confessed June.
adding hastily: But not interested the
way you mean. I'm not In love with
Max Lamar. I've never yet been in
love with any man. don't think ]
quite know what love Is. Not yet And
I'm in no hurry to. But he Is the
most interesting man ] have ever met.
thing compelling. mREnetic-oh. can't
describe it!-something that makes me
want to see more of him"
"Oh, desrie' My own lamb" exclaimed
Mary. in horror. That's the way folks
start to fall In love! And"
"Nonsense!'
at is." insisted the nurse "and hero
you've got the whole world TO choose
from and you 20 and fall in love with
the one man who's tracking you down
to nut you In tail!'
nied June: not one single DIX you old
goose And. besides. he's not tracking
me down. He hasn't the very slightest
suspicion of me. And I don't mean that
he shall. Don't worry. He's on the
wrong. track, and I'll see he stays
there"
"That's what thev all say, quavered
Mary. "They all say that Then they
get 30 sure OF themselves they take a
step too far. some day. and then"
And then their darling old fussy
nurse comes to the rescue" inter
rupted June. "and saves them. oh.
Maryw she added, with a sudden sad
ness that went to the older woman's
heart. do you suppose enjoy do
ing such horrible things? 7 hate u!
Nine -terths Of the time II makes me
fairly sick to look back on them.
Then, the tenth time. something gets
hold OF me and pushes me on. in spite
OF myself. Not only my body but my
mind. too. when-when the Red Circle
begins to burn on the back of my hand
find myself yearnInR to do things
that are-swful! And the more awful
they are the more ! want to do them.
What will II end imp
Her sweet voice rose almost to a wall.
Mary gathered the stricken girl into her
arms and strove to comfort her. But
almost at once the mood OF terror pass
ed. leaving June again her gay and
carefree self. She kissed Mary and
plavfully pushed her aside.
There. there!" she cried gayly.