The Washington herald., 1916-05-07

"Nor ~ said Mary NO matter how rad
things were I'd never have driven a mile With
Goodwin Clay for my own sake"
Mary, after maintaining absolute silence and
seclusion for a couple Of days. finally wrote 20
Clay. And so quickly that she knew he must
have acted he had read her note, he
called her on the telephone.
You gave me fine scare :" he complained.
! thought something had happened 70 you! Sur,
you're all right?"
"An right-yes~ she laughed lotto was get
ting ready TO 60 away, you see, and he
awfully eXacting
We'll, he's gone, has hep" said Clay.
Yes, he's gone! The coast is clear"
We'll, I'm coming over to see you All right7-
Yes-In be glad. Soon?"
"ln half an hour"
Mary turned from the telephone and nodded
70 Mona. To very different Mona. For Mona
had transformed herself nightly She wore a
mans suit. Her hair was long. and fell about
her ears and low her forehead. Her coat was
Of velvet; she had deliberately. preserved much
of the temininity Of her appearance. She wore
a flowing Windsor tie, and a low collar with
deep points And in her hand she had a violin
case.
You're perfect Mona y' said Mary "You,re
Otto-just I've descriDed him. over and over
again! Now get that wild look into your eyes :"
Mona PractiCed before mirror, and they
both laughed the effect she produced
Will do?' said Mona anXiouslv
~ You don't well. ~" n"cn very badly
fooled" said Mary. "Hnr I'm not bit worried
GO out now and wait UII lou soc him CONF"
So Mona ,,ur. and Mary waited ru-
Clay's arrival. He va, ON time. And. 80 much in
awe of h"r did %" stand that ho defererrraI
almos' rimid. in his rnaunor when she ADMITTED
him. This different from most o. his
affairs. He did believe that Mary was ro.,ry
50 different from the rest. but he did understau.
somehow. that she was Of a finer sort and that
j. would he easy TO f-iChten her. So he had toned
down his usual rough and boisterous way to a
considerable degree.
ITS relief - have Otto 20 a1vavr ssid
Mary. with a sigh Fl" keeps one constantly
A. concert pitch. 1ou know. His music makes
him 80 nervous. 50 irritable. that its almost i'm
possible 70 live with him without going mad
"A fellow like that has got no right 10 got
married, said Clay svm0atheticallv. Say. Why
don't You lust slip away while he's gone"
I'm afraid" said Mary He wanted me- -
90 with him az first He threatened me with an
SORTS of things II even spoke to q man whiIc he
vas C00e-said he'd have a way Of finding u.-
"D"n.t y"u believe lt" said lay. confder- y.
Eut II was only his voice that was really c.r-..-
dent: hs looked around ne-v"usly And sudder
IS' As h" was about 10 speak again there wa q
loud knock at the door. They stared al one en-
other: it was repeated with increasing violence.
us my husband" ." gasped Mary going white
II" must have played a trick on me"
THE doors locked tried it, whispered
lay. keep still he may think the place IS
empty and go away"
The door was locked hut from the outside
TIL" tw" girls had manipulated the lock 50 as
rn deceive" Clay And now while Law and Mary
covered f-arfau1 inside the pounding on The
door becau" unr" and moro violent. until ar
last II gave way. seemingly before savage as
~a"'r with m" fir" oNrrnCi~ne~. nu' real, n"-
cause Mona had turned tho knv The neH- in
slant. Mona. in IN" Guj>e Of OTTO. confronted
rhrm
"Or-o Orro". walled Mary Don't be angry
Mr. lay is an old friend its perfectly all
Md Clay. i~~, a> Mary had nrodictod showed
1r~ z"IH,v ~rrrae II" tried 'o escape from, -no
fraiI h~' @rri".~ musician. But otto snatch"#
pistol f~"m 'h' drawer "f table and covered
Mary went 80 him and flung her arm a.u..r
his neck. hut O'to cast her of fnrious,
II shall z" mad "' h" cried. What shall
do kill You both" NO-then they would I..T r7,
too" Suddenly he stared at CLAW 81 know ..r.
Nou wretch" he cried. ''Nou are not0rirr.~ ..r
Nou~ dealings with women, You why. Won oven
W"riur"d yourself to get rid of your unfort@uate
"No-" Stammered Clay.
will You lie now-when YOU face dearh2-
cried Otto if maddcned. His eyes lighted un
All hav" t." he cried. "Sit-write 2 confe>-
sion. and put in the proofs Of your perjury, At
once-or ! will kin you ."
In vain Clay >tormed and protested Otto
hourishing the p,>'"L threatened him until he
complied.
Good" he said when Clay had done. ~
you do not tomorrow make rerararIon 10 your
wife, will use this. Nnd now-,vhat will YOU do
for me-for the woman who was my wife,"
Mary screamed.
You shall provide for her-now that YOU
have driven MS apart ." said otto. q owe her
that much. Write her check now g."
And this much 'a' was glad 10 do.
I'D have done that. any yhoyy." he crovIed
-Rut yoS're mad, man. Take her back! She's a
good woman.
Otto only snccred. And when the check was
written he drove them both out
Mary. shaken and hystericaI- uur from her
triumph at the complete success OF their plans and
not, Clay supposed. because Of Otto's return,
went with Clay. He drove with her at once 10
the nearest restaurant.
You need some supper that will brace YOU
"n' he said "Ir was hard luck wing him play
trick like that ."
"Go in and get table J want to tcIe-
phone" said Mary. d5~tractrdly. Nnd in the
booth. she called Mona. In ruutr she rcioined
him. And it was not long before. TO Claws
amaZement, Mona herself in her own clothes.
Slipped into the vacant chair beside Mary. Slowly
he recognized in her the mad musician But be-
fore he could d"nouncr them Mar, spoke
For once you've been beaten at YOUR own
game she said You pretend to pc good sport