Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-11

| NdA anu C"NuCoS. mdl CNduNt
his invitation for the next day, bu
hesitatingly promised to let him cal
on the following afternoon. Fullel
took his departure, on the whole very
well contented
Mona had decided to continue hel
role Of professional introducer" a
the Frivolity, at least for the present
To begin with, there was nothing
which she could do to aid Mary't
cause, and in the second place, theil
funds were beginning again to rur
alarmingly low. 1t was this second
factor which induced her to approach
the manager of the cafe, and ask fol
an advance. The man agreed prompt
ly, for the girls services had proven
more valuable than he had expected
"If you don't mind, I will give yor
a check" he said. "I'll make it on,
on the Ajax National, and witnes.
your endorsement so that you will
have no trouble in cashing it"
"Thanksl" said Mona. The words
Ajax National, meant nothing to hei
then. 1t was not until the next
morning when she presented the
check at the paying teller's window
that she appreciated the unexpected
good fortune that had been given her
with the conventional pink slip oi
paper. The paying teller turned the
check over several times, made Z
movement as though to count out the
bills in payment for the sum desig.
mated, and then, apparently seeing
some real, or fancied defect In the
endorsement, he got down from his
stool, and called an assistant. Mona
saw the two whisper together for a
moment, and then caught the words
Better see Mr.. Fuller, Ed, and avoid
any troublep
Mona flushed. Fullerl Could 1t be
that fate had sent her to the bank oi
Amos Fuller-the man who they had
marked for poetic retributionf Her
questioH was answered when a mo-
ment lster the paying teller opened
the door of private office, and asked
her if she would be good enough to
accompany him. The girl followed
without hesitation. She had no idea
what was wrong with the check or
what was wanted of her, but this was
too good an opportunity to losel II
this were, indeed, the institution pre-
sided over by Amos Fuller, who
choose to mark his double life under
the alias Of "Winters"-- Her specu-
lations were cut short by the sight OF
the stocky, familiar figure of Fuller,
himself, who turned from = mahog-
any desk at their entrance.
For a moment he sat staring at her
without recognition. And then .
frown gathered swiftly on his face as
he saw the girl smile, and he snapped
hasty order to the paying teller to
wait outside. 1t was not until the door
had closed behind the other that he
turned again to the girl. Mona had
thrown herself into a chair, and was
laughing in unaffected abandon.
'"Well-this is richl" she gasped,
holding her handkerchief to her
mouth at is a pleasant day, is it
not--Mr. Wintersi"
Fuller scowled.
There isn't any need to laughl'
he snapped. Cant a man have any
fun at all these days?"
"Of course, he can, you old dearT
returned Mona, giving him a playful
nudge under the chin, which made
Fuller scowl again. What if one Of
his clerks should come in suddenly
Or, what f.
II say, what is wrong with my per-
fectly good check7" laughed Mona.
Nothing at all, said Fuller hastily.
THAT fool of a paying teller fancied
there was something wrong with the
endorsement. The Frivolity has two
accounts here, and he didn't know just
where to credit the check"
81 see," said Mona without interest,
but without making motion to rise.
She could see that her presence an
noyed Fuller, and 1t gave her a sort
of mischievous satisfaction to pro-
long his uneasiness.
IL haven't seen you for two or three
days." she said, seeking for some ex-
cuse to prolong the conversation.
Il have been busy, very busy"
evaded Fuller, getting to his feet, and
moving to the door. Before he could
reach it, someone turned the handle,
and a clerk entered.
Mrs. Fuller is outsidel Shall I
show her in1"
Fuller barely smothered a curse.
"Tell her I will be free In just a
moment" The door closed behind
the clerks wondering face, and Full
Ter mopped his face with his handker-
chief. Mona laughed aloud.
why not have your wife come In
at oncc3 1t seems to me rather dis
courteous to have her wait while you
entertain another lady visitorl"
Fuller glared at her silently, OBJ
viously revolving a problem in his
mind He stepped quickly to the
door of small inner ante-room.
"Step in herep he snapped. "You
will have to wait until she goesp
"I don't like itl" pouted Mona. II
don't see any reason why | should
hide. l have done nothing wrongp
who says you have2" growled Full
Ter. "But there is no need for you
to make trouble for friend, is there?
My wife is absurd enough to be jeal-
ous-you may as we'll know the
truth. 1t won't be long to wait. I'll
cut the interview Shorthand I'll ap-
preciate it."
Mona rose slowly, shaking her head
doubtfully.
Since you put It that way, sup
pose I'll have to agree. But, under
stand, please, If you prolong the con-
versation, shall make myself known
no matter what happensl l have
nothing to conceal, and l am not in
the least concerned with your record,
my friendl"
She suffered Fuller to lead her into
the ante-room- and heard tho door