The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-18


located him The girls watched him coVertlv take
q seat at a corner table. from which he could
command view Of the diners, without, himself.
being too much in the limelight. Mary pushed
baci< her chair, and rose hurriedly 10 her feet
She put her hands to her lips as Mona looked
up in surprise ut is better at present that he
should not together. ! am going to rely
of your Ingenuity to make the acquaintance Of
Mr. Laidlaw before he leaves the restaurant.
GU will find me at the apartment when YOU get
back :"
And before the other could voice protest,
she gone
For few moments Mona sat drumming idlv
the edge of her, table, and toying with her
food. The problem, which her chum had set her,
wax not an easy one to say the least But ii sud
denly occurred TO Mona to try the old lost money
game. and expected the scene with the waiter
soon brought Dick Laidaw 10 the rescue.
Let nle pay the bill 1t win be pleasure I"
The girl hesitated. then surrendered reluct-
Rntly. "On one condition. You go home with
me so that can pay you back at once"
He bowed. LAS you wish" He drew out
bill. and handed II carelessly to the waiter who
had reappeared as by magic at his motion. With
the girl at his side LaidIaw passed out OF the
restaurant, pattsing in the entrance to call
taxicab Mona took seat in kind of
strained silence, while Laidlaw strove desperately
10 maintain conversation which she prevented
skfullv.
As None was helped from the taxi by young
Laidlaw, she gave him glance, which to him
but forced smile, and Mona that the
first act In her little deception had been sue
cessful
BY an arranR cement with the superintendent
of the apartment house. NOM and Mary had
secretly installed "brzzer' under the runner of
the stairway, that should either return sud
denly with q stranger the fact could be
bounced by pressing upon a concealed electric
plate, thus giving the girl in the room sufficient
time to retire.
Hardly anticipating that Mona had been so
successful In netting her victim, Mary slipped
into the boudoir just Mona turned the key in
the lock
Young Ladlaw at first refused to accept the
money, but Mona With a charming smile insisted
$50 STRONGLY that he obliged at last
cept It
MAY 1 call again7" asked Laidlaw as he left.
"Suit Yourself" Mona's voice was still icy.
Tomorrow" asked Laidlaw eagerly
Yes said Mona. hesitatngly.
The girl closed the door For n moment she
stood listening, and then she heard the
turn, and slowly make his way down the hall
toward the stairs she few back into the living
room, and into the of Mary, who
smothering yawn in the doorway Of their bed
And now what Of the next step in
paign?" asked Mary, she curled herself on the
couch, with her feet huddled up under the lacy
robe of her negigee I'VE have only of
That is mp 10 YOU said Mona, serenely.
You have left the hardest part to me. Laidlaw
Senior must be your task"
AS it developed, it not only during the
next day Int succession of days, that Monas
talents actress were called into play in the
fencing bouts with Dick Laidlaw. At the
telephone rang, and the young mans voice spoke
eagerly over the wire in invitation to lunch,
which Mona promptly declined, compromising
finally in a grudging consent TO a motor ride
in the afternoon. This followed by tea, with
q reluctant promise from the girl to attend
matinee On the following afternoon Before the