Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-11

gitl--a wisp OF a creature with mas
of dull gold hair, and large, frighteEe'
eyes which stared out from a fac
that was almost child-like in its limo
cence. Just outside the swinging
doors Of The Frivolity--the newest o
the glittering The Dansants of Broad
way-she was standing, her skirt
clutehed nervously in one small
gloved hand, and her big, staring eye
never losing a chance to sweep tn
gay scene within, whenever the door
chanced to swing open. Mona Bur
nett reached across the small table il
the corner Of the cafe and, catching
Mary Hartley's arm, directed tn
others attention to the girl outsid
the swinging doors, who looked 81
strangely out of place. Mary studiet
the furtively watching figure for j.;
moment in silence.
1t was obvious that the girl outsid,
was seeking someone-and that sh'
was both hopeful and fearful that he
search would be successful.
The girl behind the doors hat
stepped in a quick, nervous fashion
into the big cafe. For a moment sh,
stood uncertainty, as though muster
ing all her resources for the ordea
ahead Of her. Then with long breati
she crossed the room hurriedly, hel
little head held high, her eyes cole
and hard. Now the watchers coulc
see that she was dressed with a quie
elegance, limiting wildly OF a comfor
table income and a luxudious home
and that there wSs the air of rea
breeding in every feature of her face
She had seen the object of hel
search, and he was a mana stockilJ
built man OF middle age, with a horic
face, and carefully waxed nous
tache, who was acting as escort to {
young woman, whose every feature
from her penciled eyebrows to her ex
tremely cut gown, cried out her char
acter.
The advancing girl reac the
table and paused, as his companion
sensing the situation, also looked up
The three made tableau, subchargec
with emotion. 1t was the man who
spoke first, but strive as they would
neither Mary nor Mona was able
to hear the words that fell from his
lips. But they saw the girls face
go white, and then a dull red spot
glowed in her cheeks, and she caught
the edge of the table, leaning forward
and speaking in low, vibrant voice
The next instant, a waiter, beck
oned at sudden gesture from the
horid-faced man, glided to the scene
and took the girls arm.
"The brutel The big, hulking, red.
faced brute" gasped Mona. "He Is or.
dering that poor little thing ejectedp
1t was true. The thing was done
discreetly and with dispatch.
Mona tossed bill on the table and
rose quickly.
II am going to follow herl Hurry
Maryl Well be able to catch her
at the street,
The two girls reached the marble
hall outside just in time to see the
diminutive figure ahead clutch for
an instant at the street door and
then step out onto the crowded walk
They caught her at the corner.
you poor dear" said Mona in a
low, soothing voice, as she took hold
of the others arm. 1--WE saw what
happened at the cafe, and we followed
you on purpose. Won't you tell us
all about it?"
The three turned into quiet tea
room on a cross street, where Mary
selected retired table in the rear.
"Now, if you will tell us your story
OR as much Of it as you like, perhaps
we can think of something that will
help your
my name is Meadows-Minnie
Meadows" she began. 81 am, or
rather was, the ward Of Amos Fuller"
"Amos Fuller, the banker?" queried
Mona.
Eyes. That-that was Mr. Fuller
whom spoke to in the cafel"
Mona's glance expressed amaze
ment, and the other shrugged bitterly.
"I know it is hard to believe-hard
to believe that man like Mr.. Fuller
would be found at a tango cafe at this
hour Of the day! But 1t Is true! I
am afraid that the call Of the white
lights has been more than he could
refuse-and they say that when man
OF his age goes astray he falls harder
than anyone elsel Until two or three
years ago he was an entirely different
man-patient, kind, giving me any
thing | asked. You see, when my
father died 7 was left quite lot of
MONEY! and Mr.. Fuller was made my
guardian. I always supposed that I
would have everything I wished, and
would have thought 1t nothing but a
nightmare had anyone ever limited
that would some day find myself In
the position I am now In. But grad
uat1v things began to change.
"Mrs. Fuller. who is several years
younger than her husband. began to
20 out more in society, the kind Of
society that wasn't very good for her
At last. she took to rambling, and so
on. and she and Mr.. Fuller had many
bitter quarrels. But she was very
Jealous of him in spite of these, and
she took it into her head that her
husband was beginning to fail In love
with me. OF course that was absurd |!
Then one day Mr.. Fuller came to me,
and told me that II I made over to
him the estate which father had left.
he could invest It SO that II would
bring in double as much income for
me. I don't know anything at ali
about business. and 7 had always
trusted himl So I did what he told
me to do, and signed lot Of papers
--and-and-"
Mona patted her hand softly as she
reaIized what was ror,inu