The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-14

E : x: :: ;: &M&#&S8M performing the tfifing service for EF@R8#EW which Mona Hartley, Mary's Hk#W EM chum had summoned her. Hk8 W "Thank you,' said Mona aEA EE "oh, thank you. Miss" said the kf41-6za7Eys3N girl flushing with pleasure as she 7kA#asSz1sss:saaass 7kkAe#EassSazs1ss:aas s received her tip. The maid went out and Mary, sitting back in the deep chair that placed that she could look out, without moving, and see the park with it's changing panorama, laughed.
 you sent for that girl to do lot of silly things for you, which would have made you indignant had anyone even offered to do them Tor you a few weeks ago?'
 q did it just because like to be luxuriousf' said Mona She stretched out her arms, and took step two, her feet sinking into the heavy rug. "Mary-don't you love it, too? Doesn't It affect you just the way? Here we are, you and Il Some people would say we ought to be l hunted fugitives, flying around the country un- der assumed names-and instead we're living here, right within sight of the scene of our ex- plots in the most expensive hotel in town!"
 q suppose we're pair of scamps'' said i Mona. But don't feel bit sorry for our two worthy CD victims. They thought was rich and easy. But it mighty funny to see the way they shied off if happened to mention cas- ually that any girl I knew was married.
 eve did get their money with our pan," said Mary. "and I may be all wrong, but haven't any scruples about them, either It will be all right to collect the expenses for campaign . if we always take care to present the bill to some who deserves what he gets as those two men did
 "Speaking of that" said Mona, "we've got to keep our eyes open Mary mine! We're living in the very lap of luxury just now but if we don't watch out we'll slide off on the floor Wye got to be forehanded, your and I. We can't wait till the wolf is at the door--we want to turn him away before he remembers to start looking for us"
 sYou're right" said Mary. "I'm keen enough when we've once started, Mona-youn admit | did my part in the other matters! But it's good thing I've got a partner like you' or l never would get started" "We're not started yet you know" said Mona dryly. ''I've not the slightest idea of what to do next. Have you? My minds empty. I just want to stay here forever and bask ln the luxury of this placew
 "Oh. something will turn up." said Mary hdently. "But--I like the luxury of all this just as much as you do, Mona. Still wish we had friendsr'
 .Friendsv" said Mona, in mock alarm we can't afford that luxury, my dear-and it's about the only can't, too! Not until we've made and saved enough to give us nice income, and I think we've quite long road to travel be- | fore that time comes.
 scruples We don't break the law. We'll stick to that agreement I think"
 "Yes-we'n only bend it. like the big corpora tions. It's silly to break the law-it's so easy to get around it For us-alf we have to do is to select our victims from among those who are breaking the law themselves Then we're safe By the way-talking about the law, consider me and my doings! I've made a-well, not friend, but an acquaintance, here! y!
 'In the hotel, Mona? Who?
 "The house detective, leSs!' said Mary, with laugh. "Why-and howl"
 "Oh, don't know-it just seemed to me he might be useful! He's an interesting person, really-and he likes ever so much. He tells me about all the trouble women make for him here-the things they lose, and all sort of thing It's quite entertaining. Come on down--IH in troduce you to him.
 So, in few minutes, they went down to the luxurious lobby of the hotel But Mary had to wait for her introduction
 Htarn I,o Ics coy Mnnn R1Jf Mary-I don't believe that womans just lost a ring or something! She looks as if she were in deadly trouble!'
 It was true. A woman whose face bore signs of storm of emotion was pleading with the
 "Werl have to find out why" said Mona
 Mona and Mary had not long to wait be fore the woman, greatly dejected left the de- tective and went to the elevator. Her manner made it plain that he had not been able to com, fort her. The detective, seeing Mona, frightened 8 little, and came over toward her.
 Miss Burnett-Mr. C1yde" said Mona. Miss Burnett lives with me. MT Clyde Mow-youre going to be nice to us, aren't you? We're dying with curiosity! What was the matter with that poor soul you were talking with just now? I'm sure she's in sort of real trouble p
 q should say she was!' ejaculated Clyde, angrily. "Of course, it's her own fault, in way-and yet, when I think of man who is scoundrel enough to take advantage of a wom- ans mistake-r'
 You've simply got to tell us more than that" said Mona, determination plain in her voice and In every line or her feaCureS.
 ''Wel-I don't know" said Clyde, doubtfully. "I get lots of information in confidence that I'm not at liberty to pass on"
 "Oh, please-please!" I" said Mary. 'Why- what harm could it do, MT. Clyde? We don't know this woman-and we would never tell on youl"
 "And, besides, it might be warning to us" said Mona. "I think it's your duty to tell us, 50 that we'll never, by any chance, make the same mistake she did"
 No fear of that l" said Clyde, warmly. "Well if you'll promise not to let that you know anything and never, by any chance, to breathe to soul that I told you--'
 "Oh, we will!" said Mary. Honestly, you needn't be afraid-'
 "It's enough story" said Clyde, then.@ And an ugly one, too. The plain truth of it is that the poo- lady has husband she doesn't get along any too we'll with it is and know enough of the case to be it's his fault" .N
 "Trust man to take the woman's side,' said Mona. But she didn't say it hastily; Mona had good deal more charity for her sex than some women who have never had to withstand temptation muster.
 sWell, be that as it may,' said Clyde, 'she was foolish enough, year two ago, to have some correspondence with another It never came tp anything. But there were the