Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-04-30
Story No. "A War of Wits

are M. many more who need only a rest
and change OF scene Wonderful auto
mobile roads have been laid out there
are golf links tennis courts, paths
through the woods for those who Ike
to ride. facilities for every sort OF game.
There Ia a casino, too. whore the play
often runs high. Restraints are few, the
local government OF county and village
Is far too wise 10 impose strict rules upon
the rich people who come TO Yellow
Springs TO spend their money
II was here that Mary. Interestingly
pale came. accompanied by her devoted
and good looking maid. Mary. II was
given out, was recovering from a severe
illness. and her appearance bore out this
statement. II was for rest, rather than
the cure. that she had eome-Mary had
baked resolutely against drinking the
waters and taking the baths. She had
felt, moreover, that Il might be a good
thing 10 have an excuse ror keeping to
her rooms.
Mona IN her character as Marys maid
wasted no time after their arrival. They
reached the Springs late IN the after
noon; before bed time Mona was familiar
with alrs. McLean's routine. II had not
proved difficult to gather tne facts aho
had wanted to learn,
THE whole place talks about her" she
told Mary. when they we're In their
rooms She's here with = maid and
she's taking medical treatment from
DR.. Brown--a nice looking young fellow.
She spends the whole morning on the
terrace every day. summing herself, and
for the last day or two she's been quar-.
rellng with the doctor because she doesn't
get we'll more quickly She IL always
complaining Of the expense, and saying
she'll have 70 go 20 live in one Of her
own tenementr. 10 economic. when she
goes home. bet she Will too--shes
done that beforew
What's tho maid look like7"
She's Just ordinary-and she's not one
Of Letty's regular servants She was
picked up for this trip. and I think she's
pretty tired Of her job She talks good
deal about Lettys meanness. think
she's been used 10 living with rich peo-
pie, and that Jettys rather shock TO
herl"
4 can quite believe g." said Mary.
Shed be shock 10 almost anyone who
was used 70 dealing with human beings,
you know Well--you bundle mo UP
carefully tomorrow morning, and find
a nice long chair for mo as near 70
Lettys as You ean MANAGE Then we'll
sec what well see"
There wasn't 20 much for them 70
see. as O. matter Of fact II was what
they heard that WINS interesting, ms II
turned out What they sew was
woman well over 20, dressed In faded
black with a shabby shawl about her
thin shoulders, and bonnet, long out Of
style, perched upon her thin gray hair,
This was the formidable Lefty Mclean
who was supposed to be tho richest
the meanest. Her maid brought her out
TO her accustomed chair. where the sun
was strongest. and in few moments
her doctor hustled up-a young man
energetic and forceful A. once Lefty
broke out into a sharp TRADE against
him
You robber" she cried. IN q high. ner-
vous voice "Just because I'm supposed
10 have little money you think Til sub
NIT TO extortion You're like all the rest
N the thievinR crew. won't pay your
bi1-no wonder you sent 1t 10 me, and
were afraid to present It yourself. IT'S
extortlon."
I'm sorry you think So" said the
doctor, little angry. but amused, too
L was plain. I've simply made my usual
charge, Mrs Mclean. You must remem
Der that you've claimed my undivided
attention since you've been here"
"Yes-snd a lot Of good you've done
me- too" she said. shrilly, Tn no bet
ter than l was when came down here.
It's all a conspiracy TO part me from my |
hard earned money"
Mona and Mary exchanged meaning !
chances. And suddenly they saw that
hey we're not the only interested auditors
II this dispute. distinguished looking, |
bearded man OF the professional type, |
who stood below the terrace. was listen |
ng. too lie smiled. as II II were an ex-
'ellent Joke. The two girls looked at him, |
Ind one another.
i've seen him somewhere" said Mary. /
80 have l." said Mona. but l can't |
place him. wonder-r'
~ think I know how 70 find out" said /
Mary. Take me in-fm going TO write |
some letters"
II was three days before the anawers 4
% the Inquiries that Mary had made
,ame on second thought. she had tale /
graphed instead of wrlting-0nd had used /
! sort Of code. 10 defy possible curiosity I
concerning herself. Meanwhile things had /
not been At a stanstill so far az Mrs /
Mclean WAS concerned, She had heapad /
more reproaches upon Or, brown. and he [
had finally been anEerod % such point I
hat he threw up her case and refused
10 treat her
This had given the bearded man his I
ihanee Mona haa learned thai he was
registered Hs nr Ransom aud no had I
ln some way q inslnuats him I
,flf into Nrs. Meteabs good Ereees aa
{ had eome about that Il was hn. AMI 4
iat nrawn. who WA now her phTai
sian Moreover Ma treatment had 81.
.sadg proved itaeif beneficial After tWa
isys LEFTY ess shls % aalk wlth mere
feetam ant hsF palm seemed toHNa
3atIy reduced
gbsY say Hs tsai5f pf ntanns treat
aent ibat bsa hsiasd Hsf Mgna a
affsH tts gpf 3 NJ quite friendly
.Hh BOG Wait Hhs mFt Mfa Aaiaan
tf8t etEs 50 treatment falr HhaHsg
that Be- htd talA haf fr0m M stsri
tal tta tHt eaaHiHt ~ serafani
q amaa. tlt ts t.as la astalaN
Nsh at aNa nef mff 81 stA