Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-18

DO you know Mrs. Steven Doug
lass" began Runkle.
Mary simulated look of deep bit
terness.
Know herr" she snapped. "She is
the creature who has stolen my
sweetheart from mel If it hadn't
been for her nothing would have ever
come between Raymond Daniels
and mep
Runkle gave grunt of satisfaction.
II am Mrs. Douglass confidential
companion" continued Mary vicious
iy. "And | always thought she was the
best friend had in the world until
she threw me over for Raymond Dan
ielsp :.
"Or he threw you over for herr!
suggested Runkle maliciously.
Mary sprang to her feet with a
fresh burst of rage. }--
1.-THE cat! If there was only some
way in which ! could even up with
her, and make her suffer as she has
made mel"
II thought Mrs. Douglas was the
possessor OF husband" said Runkle
refleetively. "Or is that just gossip"
Mary looked at him musingly, and
suddenly her eyes snapped with salts
faction. SO
III Steven Douglas ever found out
about his young and beautiful wife's
flirtations with Raymond Daniels, his
Youthful secretary" she stopped
short, biting her lips at just the right
point, and saw Runkle's eyes CLEAN.
"Yess" he encouraged. "And what
would happen if he did," =
"Happen?" cried Mary. "He would
throw her off without dollarl But
he would have to be given actual
proof. He is too wise to take gossip
for evidence-and too devoted"
Runkle lighted a cigar, and smoked
for moment in silence.
Would he pay for such evidenced"
he asked at length. =
What do you mean" said Mary
suspiciously.
Runkle laughed. Get wisel Get
wisew he chuckled. why not cash in
to Douglas, and at the same time pay
back the wife for what she has done
to you? 1t isn't often that a chance
of that kind comes to girl"
Mary fingered her hand bag nerv-
ously. If | only dared!" she hesitat-
ed. "Yes. l think he would pay--hand-
somelyl But l don't want the money.
| would be satisfied if | could pay
back my debt to her-the treacherous
hussyw
The CLEAN in Runkle's eyes deep
ened. Around bend in the road
Wentworth's automobile appeared
leisurely, stopping opposite the bench.
Runkle rose to his feet, and sauntered
over to the road, where he talked for
moment with Wentworth, and then
beekoned to Mary. The girl obeyed
the summons with just the right de-
gree of hesitation, and found Went
worth's eyes appraising her shrewdly
as Runkle explained the situation. She
smiled up at him, and Wentworth
moved over to the end OF his seat,
making room for her,
Wont you let me give you liftl''
he invited. Then we can talk at our
leisure
Maryveiled her citation, and glanced
at her watch hesitatingly. Il don't
know whether ] fought to Co.,
"Nonsensel' protested Wentworth
and the girl allowed herself to be per.
suaded.
She knew that Runkle had told the
other of their conversation, and that
the man had taken this opportunity
to study her for himself. 1t was evi.
dent that he was waiting for her tc
bring up the subject OF Mrs. Douglas
but she studiously kept away from it
and at length he was obliged to refer
to the topic himself.
"Runkle tells me that you are living
at the Roanoake with Mrs. Stever
Douglas?" he began. "And that yor
have been having some trouble. Tel
me about itr
Mary glanced quickly from undel
her eye-lashes. There was jgenuin,
ring Of interest in his voice, and sh,
felt his eyes travelling over her fac,
and figure approvingly as she un
bosomed herself, in more detail, OF til,
details which she had confided t.
Runkle. When Wentworth finally in
structed the chauffeur to stop, at
point near the Roanoake, he lingeret
in his good-byes, ana forced her t
consent to dine with him the mex
evening.
She drew long breath as the ca
finally rolled away, Wentworth wav
ing to her from the rear seat. She fel
that she had conquered! With spark
ling eyes she hurried to their apart
ment in the Roanoake,s and excited,
poured out the details Of the afternool
to the inpatiently waiting Mona. TIL
other girl Rugged her impulsively a
the conclusion. and for a moment tn
two stared silently into each other
eyes.
1T is risky game, dearp sal
Mona wistfully.
| But the goal is worth itp returne
Mary resolutely.
| Three weeks passed-three week
tot varying incidents. Mona's flirtatio
with Carlton, or young Daniels, a
| their new friends knew him, was be
ginning to attract more than casus
attention. and more than once Mon
caught the calculating eyes of Went
worth surveying them at the variou
affairs, where they CHANGED to NEE
In the meantime, Mary.s acquaintshi
with Reginald Wentworth was fas
approaching degree Of intimacy,
was apparent to the girl that the ma
was genuinely attracted to her, an
the topic of Mrs. Douglas, and tn
supposed young wife's indiscretion
was discussed between them now wit
direct candor and speculation. BIZ
there was vague. indefinable Ell.
ment OF distrust, even yet in Wen