The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-16

OBVIOUSLY in small gtoNed mana,
IA her hr staring eyes never losing a chance 10
0eeop the gay scene within. whenever the doors
Aonced to swing open. Mona Burnett reached
kFoes the small table in the corner of the cafe,
m. catching Mary Hartlevs arm, directed the
tAeris attention TO the girl outside the swinging
bora, who looked strangely out of place. Mary
tndied the furtively watching figure for a mo-
mt in silence
ID II was obvious that the girl outside seek
II some one-and that she was Doth hopeful and
11rful that the search would he successful
The girl behind the doors had stepped In
rick, nervous fashion into the big cafe, For a
0ument she stood uncertainty, though muster
~ ~ her resources for the ordeal ahead Of her
- with a long breath she crossed the room
1xxiedly. her little head held high, her eyes cold
nd hard Now the watchers could see that she
- dressed with a quiet elegance. limiting wildly
IN comfortable income and luxurious home,
II that there was the air of real breeding in
1ey Feature Of her face. She had seen the object
her search. and he was mana stockily-
mt man of middle age. with aorid face, and
Stefuiiy waxed mustache. who was acting
TT 70 young woman, whose every feature. from
u penced eyebrows 10 her extremely cut gown,
k1ed out her character.
The advancing girl reached the table, and
nnsed. his companion, sensing the situation,
3sn- looked up. The three made tahleaa, sub
areed with emotion. Ii the man who spoke
Fsf. but strive as they would. neither Mary or
lima able TO hear the words that fc.! from
kfB lips. But they the girls face 20 white,
I'D then dull red spot glowed in her checks,
IA she caught the edge of the table, leaning for
Esnrd. and speaking in low, vibrant voice, The
~ instant waiter heckoned at sudden pes-
6FA from the fordfaced man., glided to the
cene. and took the girls arm.
The brute The big, hulkinr, rcd-faced
kutew gasped Mona "He is ordering that poor
ktt3es thing elected"
Il was true. The thing was done discrectly
ND with dispatch
Mona tossed hill on the table, and rose
nickly.
II am going 10 follow her. Hurry, Mary!
yAu be able to catch her at the street.
The two girls reached the marble hall outside
3ust In time to the dminutjye figure ahead
dutch for an instant at the street door, and then
&&tGp out onto the crowded walk. They caught her
~ the corner
.sYou poor dear!" said Mona in low sooth-
ng voice, as they took hold of the others arm.
We saw what happened at the cafe, and we fol
pwed you on purpose Won't you tell us all about
The three turned into quiet tea-room on a
eoe street, where Mary selected a retired table
~ rear.
Now, il you will tell us your story--or as
nuch OF 1T as you like, perhaps we think Of
ENokncthing that will help YOU"
my name is Meadows-Minnie Meadows she
sNgan- Il am, rather was the ward OF Amos
1xniler"
Amos Fuller. ehe7 banker" queried. Mona :
m Yea That-that was Mr.. Fuller whom
poke to at the cafei' r.
Mona's glance expressed amazement and the
other shrugged bitterly
Il know it is hard to believe-hard 70 believe
|Nhat man like Mr. Fuller would he found Mt a
ango cafe at this hour of the day. But It is true!
r. m afraid that the call of the white lights has
Soen more than he could refuse-and they say
1A4 when man Of his age goes astray he falls
ntx1er than anyone else Until two or three
I1aEs ago he an entirely different man
03eent, kind. giving me anything 7 asked. You
~1. yhen my father died ] was left quite n lot
1mey, and Mr.. Fuller was made my guardian.
M1MAys supposed that ! would have everything
WlMhed. and would have thought it nothing but
3u1tmare had anyone ever limited that l would
- day find myself in the position | am now
~s Int gradually things began to change
|&EA Mrs. Fuller, who Is several wears Younger
- her husband, began to 70 ont more in So
eezs the kind of society that wasn't very good
- 1or. Al last she took 10 gambling, and 50
m, md she and Mr.. Fuller had many bitter quar-
4hnk But she was very Jealous of him in spite Of
-, and she took ii into her head that her brs
Nnd was beginning to fall in love with me Of
ZIeAree, that was absurd Then one dav Mr. T1il.
80 came TO me- and told me that if made over
y him the estate which father had left. he could
nNast II so that ii wonld bring in double az much
1-npoane for ME. | don't know ANYTHING al MI
hout business and had always trusted him, So
T. 60 what he told me 10 do and signed lot Of
rGRoEe-and-and--"
Mona patted her hand softly as she realized
1t was coming.
II Sa Minnie Meadows flashed her ,Iaron -
1tude.
NssI guess the rest of II IS the old, old story
KID e1rl waking up tn find that everything she
n the world has been taken from her and
ahe Is helpless 70 herself Mrs Fuller
me that she didn't like the attentions her
9nd was showing me, and made rnatters SO
eAsant for me that had to appeal TO Mr.
20 and ask him for enough Of my money IN
~ little fat of nv own. Then he told me he
MI@crry. but that didn't have any money any
that II had been lost in unfortunate spcc1I-
u. or something All could understand was
M1 was thrown out into the world without
~ or home, or friends. and that | didn't have
10y to make a living for myself pawned
1nes which had, and got little room in
hing house, and answered all sorts Of news
ads for girls, but there didn't seem anv
where could fit. Then l grew desperate
trjed to reach Mr.. Fuller again, but whenever
HID at the bank, they told that he was
-pr .toe busy 10 ma knew something
habits, and decided to wait for him at The
1tty. The scene which you was the re-
NJ Gears started to the girls eyes, and her
ore quivered. Mona and Mary forced tho
- accept loan and promised to secure a
- for her.
nrk In their own apartments the girls fell