The Washington herald., 1916-04-09


FTvEeS girl flushing with pleasure she
taSSss received her tip
The maid went out, and Mary,
sitting back in the deep chair that was placed
that she could look out, without moving, and see
the park, with its ever changing panorama,
laughed
you sent for that girl to do lot of silly things
for you, which would have made you indignant
had anyone offered to do them for you a
few weeks ago?"
81 did it Just because like to be luxurious -
said Mona. She stretched out her arms, and took
a step or two, her feet sinking into the heavy
rug. "Mary-don't you love it, too? Doesn't it
AFFECT you Just the same way? Here we are, you
and I Some people would say ought to be
hunted fugitives, flying around the country un-
der assumed names-and instead, we're living
here, right within sight of the scene of our ex-
ploits in the most expensive hotel in town !"
II suppose we're pair of scamps, said
Mona. But don't feel bit sorry for our two
worthy (?) victims They thought was rich
way they shied off if happened to mention cas-
ually that any girl knew was married"
I'VE did get their money with our plan" said
Mary, "and l may be all wrong, but haven't
any scruples about them, either. 1t will be all
right to collect the expenses for our campaign
II always take care to present the bill to
who deserves what he gets as those
two men didr
Speaking of that" said Mona, we've got
to keep eyes open, Mary mine! We're living
in the very lap of luxury just now, but if don't
to be forehanded, your and l. We can't wait till
the wolf is at the door-we want to turn him
away before he remembers to start looking for
u.s."
You're right" said Mary. I'm keen enough
when we've once started, Mona-you1 admit 1
did my part in the other matters! But it's
good thing I've got partner like you, or
never would get started"
We're not started yet you know" said
Mona dryIy I've not the slightest idea of what
to do next. Have you? My minds empty I Just
and haal In he l11R1l lrTy
of this place -
~oh, something will turn up said Mary. con-
hdentIy Butt like the luxury of all this just
much as you do, Mona. Still wish we had
some friends"
"'Friendsn" said Mona, in mock alarm
We can't afford that luxury, my dear-and it's
about the only one we can't too! Not until we've
made and saved enough to give US a nice income,
and l think we've quite long road to travel be-
fore that time comes
"Yes-because. after all we have got
scruples! We don't break the law Well stick
TO that agreement, 1 think"
"Yes-we1l only bend it, like the big corpora
tions. It's silly to break the law-its so easy
to get around it! For us-alI we have to do is
TO select our victims from among those who
breaking the law themselves. Then were safe.
BY the way-tall1ing about the law, consider me
and my doings! I've made a-wel not a friend,
but acquaintance. here
I'm the hotel, Mona? Who?"
The house detective, no less! said Mary,
with laugh. "Why-and how?'
L
might be useful. He's an interesting person,
realIy-and he likes me ever so much. He tells
about all the trouble women make for him
here-the things they lose, and all sort of thing!
It's quite entertaining Come on down-In in
trOduce you to him
So, in few minutes they went down to
the luxurious lobby of the hotel But Mary had
to wait for her introduction.
There he is said Mona. But he's busy.
Mary don't believe that womans just lost
ring something She looks if she were in
deadly trouble -
1t was true. woman whose face bore signs
Of storm of emotion was pleading with the
We'll have to find out why" said Mona
Mona and Mary had not long to wait be
fore the woman, greatly detected left the de-
tective and went to the elevator. Her manner
made it plain that he had not been able to com
Tort her. The detective, seeing Mona, Frightened
little. and came toward her.
Miss Burnett-AIr. Clyde" said Mona. Miss
Burnett lives with me- Mr. Clyde. Now-you're
going to be nice to u.s. aren't you? We're dying
with curiosity! What the matter with that
poor soul you talking with just now? I'm
sure she's in some sort of real trouble"
"I should say she was!" calculated Clyde.
sngrily "Of course it's her own fault in
way-and yet, when I think of who is
scoundrel enough to take advantage of wom-
ans mistake
you've simply got to tell us more than that"
said Mona, determination plain in her voice and
in every line of her features.
"Well-I don't know" said Clyde. doubtfully.
"I get lots of information in confidence that I'm
not at liberty to pass on"
"Oh, please please :" said Mary. "Why-
what harm could it do, Mr.. Clyde? We don't
know this woman-and would never tell on
you!"
And besides it might be warning to us
said Mona. Il think it's your duty to tell us,
so that We'll never, by any chance, make the
same mistake she did!
NO fear Of that - said Clyde warmly well
If you'll promise not to let on that you know
anything and never, by any chance, to breathe
to a soul that told you"
"Oh, we will" said Mary. Honestly, you
needn't be afraid"
ats a common enough story" said Clyde,
then. And ugly one, too. The plain truth
of it is that the poor lady has husband she
doesn't get along any too well with it is
and know enough of the case to be it's
his fault"
Trust a man to take the womans side"
said Mona. But she didn't say it nastily; Mona
had good deal more charity for her sex than
some women who have never had to Withstand
temptation can muster.
~Wen, be that as 1t may" said Clyde, "she
foolish enough, a year or two ago, to have
some correspondence with another man. 1t