The evening world., 1916-05-06

Ace, but he had not been at all dis
pleased with her resorting to 1t. Nov.
however, when ne was convinced that
she had been telling the truth. that she
was really what she pretended to be,
n rather guileless little woman. rem
dered unhappy by her husbands de-
votion to his art and his jealousy. he
was positively delighted. He began
10 devote himself 20 her to the cx-
clusion OF everything else.
Hes quite tame. Mona" Mary told
her chum, one evening. Says he's
tired of his old crowd-that he'd
rather be with mel And he really
doesn't bother me at all. He takes
me out riding, and he says he's really
clad that I don't like the big Broad
way restaurants"
But he believes that II Is because
you're afraid Otto viii see your?
yes! You know--lts q little ridicu-
,ous the effect Otto is having on him.
l talk about him all the time. and he's
q rood deal puzzled. He simply can't
a
Otto out to be can really exist. You
see. He doesn't know anything about
art--he can't imagine a man who
would rather succeed in his art than
make a lot Of money"
Where does Clay's money come
from?" asked Mona.
"He inherited a good deal Of it
but he makes a rood deal too. He's a
big contractor. and I believe he's a
good. shrewd business man. ! don't
see how it's possible when he dissi-
pates the way he does. but that's the
report"
"A contractor II remember Of
course. suppose that means poll
tics. doesn't 1T"
"Of course It does! He's in with
every crooked and grating politician
in the city. He has the inside track
whenever anything big is in the wind.
The city pays-and pays!"
Charming character! But look
out. Mary! You've been able to con-
troll him very easily so far-be sure
that he doesn't turn on you when
you least expect IT."
oh. I'm all right! have Otto TO
protect me. remember! Have YOU
heard anything more of Clay's wife?"
Poor soul! Shea utterly crushed.
She doesn't seem to realize, even yet.
what has happened. think she still
cares for him, in some extraordinary
way. She thinks he's been poisoned
against her. ana that II ne could be
made TO see the truth ne would DO
sorry!"
He'll be sorry before we're done
with him." said Mary spItefully. But
1t won't be because he has a change
Of heart! Goodwin Clay isn't the
sort who reforms because his better
nature conQuers him! / doubt IL he
has such thing left!"
IT'S nearly time for US TO settle
with him, once and for all, isn't TT"
asked Mona.
DO you think you're ready? I be-
lieve We could go ahead any time
now, II you are. Clay Is infatuated.
IL I'm not very much mistaken"
You needn't wait on my account"
ready as ! ever will be. and IL l walt
around thinking about II. III simply
get more and more nervous"
There's always that danger when
one plans a thing very carefully"
said Mary, thoughtfully. IAN right.
l think Otto will have to go out Of
town with his orchestra on a concert
tour in the next day or two. And then
Mr.. Goodwin Clay can come and call
on me in my home--which he has
been very anxious to do for some
time now!"
The sooner the better!" said Mona.
What will you--write to him?"
Yes. think So" said Mary
thoughtfully. And for the next
couple Of days won't see him at ALL"
"Oh. that's clever!" said Mona.
with a laugh. "You'll make him all
the more anxious. you mean. 80 that
he will be quite certain TO Gomez"
Nothing about man OF his sort
Is ever quite certain" said Mary.
But think I'm as sure of him as it's
humanity possible TO be. He's given
himself away pretty completely. Now
I'll see what the effect OF worrying
him a little is"
"Well-we've got big stakes to play
for this time. Mary. His wife's hap
p!ness and her whole future depend
ON the way We work this out. This
time, it's certain, we're unselfish! l
know I'd never have consented to this
adventure except for her"
Nor II" said Mary. NO matter
how bad things were. Id never have
driven a mile with Goodwin Clay for
my own sake"
Mary, after maintaining absolute
silence and seclusion for q couple Of
days, finally wrote to Clay. And so
quickly that she knew he must have
acted as soon as he had read her note,
he called her on the telephone.
you gave me a fine scare!" he
Il thought something
had happened to YOU! Sure you're all
right?"
IAN right-yes," she laughed. otto
was getting ready to go away, you
see, and he was awful exacting"
well, he's gone. has he2" said
"Ye., he's gone! The coast is clear!"
well. I'm coming over to soc you.
All right2" ,
"Yes-I'll be glad. Soon?"
"In half an hour
Mary turned from the telephone
and nodded to Mona. To a very Diff
ferent Mona. For Mona had trans
formed herself nightly. She wore
mans suit. Her hair was long and
fell about her ears and low on her
forehead. Her coat was OF velvet:
she had deliberately preserved much
of the femininity of her appearance.
She wore a flowing Windsor tie and