The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-28

- they'll stay nice The fashions ha We I.
been changing over night lately. But
right now, this minute. we can 60 out and know
that there won't be two better dressed girls in
town It's time for us to strike our next blow
because the irons hot as it will BET
Agreed" said Mary. "But-where is the
'we~e got to fnd-him :" said Mona. think,
M.ry' And-let me see the paper while you're
Il believe that what you wanted all the
there you are!"
Mary had finished her breakfast and she
went, now, to the window in the rext room, and
looked out, while Mona with J ,mile. took the
paper. She glanced through l. lie she slipped
her second cup of coffee. Ano deny She Eek
claimed, under her breath. as H. eyes fell on a
certain headline. She read the story beneath it
and then read it again. And then, very slowly,
her brows knitted in thought. she went to Mary.
81 wonder! !" she said half to herself. Mary
did you this?"
THE hot ron?" said Mary, skeptically so
soon7"
But she took the paper. and looked at the
article Mona pointed out to her.
"Tomlinson Gerry" she said, surprised.
you're flying high, Mona !"
We've got IT, said Mona. att isn't small
game we're after! And read the rest. Do you
, what II says? That he tired of the bright lights
tired of being talked and written about just
spender? That he's going to work-Tomlnson
Gerry, with his millions. is going to work..
AS an architect" said Mary, reading on.
Hes opened Offices in the Sterling Building!
Mona--I believe you're right"
Gerry, before he had inherited his uncle's
millions, had been the principal in some rather
shady transactions, and the girls were more than
ever determined to GO after him when they
learned that he had swinded their laundress out of
her palry savings The fact that. since he had come
t. money be had tired of being profigate and
had settled down after six years of riotous living
Il a decent occupation. the girls decided, should
not save him.
Is always. iona and Mary worked rapidly
end two days later, Mona sent her card in to the
architect
Miss Hartlcte" said Gerry, inquiringly. ris
ing, and elancing at Monas card
so good of YOU TO me-when I came
without IN appointment Mr.. Gerry. said Mona
holding Out her hand, which Gerry took de-
i@htc.'ly~ You see-oh. I'm just like every other
woman. | suppose When get ar idea | want to
carry it out at once''
I'm very much at your service" said Gerry,
~ want To build home. MIR. Gerry" said
Mona end haven't the least idea of how to go
ehoa' II Fat | suppose the first thing TO do is
10 81 an archtect-and Sc here am
My wants are ever mo- ST." continued
Mona. + have got two general ideas but
think yoaT find that they don't interfere at all
with Your concentions. ! want a bungalow. YOU
sea nice, rambling sort of place and thought
cant YOU help me with the land, too"
IN do my best" said Gerry "I1l tell you
WHAT just happens that l have an option.
right now. on some suburban property. If YOU
like il. I'll turn the option to you. Why
don't YOU let me drive you out 10 have look at
the land right now? Ny car is downstairs" she
consented
Mona had gone alone. according to the plan
the two girls had arranged. for her visit TO
Gerry. But Mary had followed. and she waited
-nnxiouslv, across the street from the building
that housed Gerrys office. When she Mona
and Gerry come out together chatting eagerly,
she smiled. And when Gerry put Mona into his
roadster with the utmost solcitude, tucling
robe about her, and making sure that she
BILE. Mary smiled again.
so that's all right" she said to herself ~
might have trusted Mona. She's such dear that
no man of Gerry's sort could help falling for
TER"
She wasn't anxious about Mona for a minute
Ierrys reputation, of course. we'll known to
her. He was rather notorious for his easy con-
quests OF women who were generally supposed
to be impersious to the shafts of Cupid. But
Mary knew there was not the slightest danger
for Mona, no matter how personal Gerry tried to
make their relations.
prepare way to turn Gerry's very obvious in.
terest in Mona to account He must be brought
completely under control. Mary was more and
more pleased by her own wisdom in refusing. on
any account to take hand in the game until
the right moment came-an open hand, that is
Mary preferred the role of wire-puer She
wanted to see the rest OF the characters in the
little drama as puppets, like those in Punch
and Judy show. with herself manipulating them,
and moving them. according to her own desires.
We're going to need help" she said to her
self, frowning slightly, after she had watched
Mona and Gerry out of sight; u don't see how
we can do it all alone
The thought was an unwecomn one. She and
Mona. she felt, ought far as po ssibe, to play
lone hand. But--the help of some man seemed
necessary. And suddenly Mary saw both the man
and the inspiration she looking for. 1t was
the who gave her the great idea. He was
across the street, and at first he did not notice
her at all. But, though he had changed good
deal since she had last seen him, and for the
worse, Mary knew him at once. He Jack
peering. telegrapher.
Some time before Mary hid been employed
in the offices of great telegraph company in
another city. 1T was there, indeed. that she had
had some of the bitter experiences that had led
her to make her present pact with Mona pact
in which she and Mona were allied against men.
Deering had been one of the few among her
fellow workers in whom Mary had seen any signs
OF chivalry and decency. He had been kind to
her. and apparently, without thought of any
ward. She knew him exactly for what he was;
weak, pleasant chap. who never meant to do
wrong, and seldom. q matter Of fact, did
right; man who was always easy victim of
. stronger will, and could, therefore, in all prob
ability, to be used in the vague plan she was