Omaha daily bee., 1916-04-23

"YesT' She said.
4 need a housekeeperi rye Just had
20 Gkmas the ore I had-a hussy, my
dear. and that's the truth / could give
you the place. That would give you a
place 70 stay where you'd be conforta-
bic. And I could pay you something@
Mona pretended 70 hesitate, but she
was 0VerjOyed He had received her in
his office and she was already studying
I hts safe And 20. dubiously, she con
sented. Reynolds 6ld not give her a
chance TO change her mind. He sent for
hls servants at once, and introduced her
az the new mistress. Mona shlyered AZ
shs saw the way the maids looked az her.
They underst0odl
Mona, as a matter Of fact, had antiei-
pated the possibility that Reynolds would
proposs aomo such grangsments. With
that In mind she had warned Mary that
she might not return. and had made ar
rangemenis for keeping In touch with
her ehuu. she was well content she
was by no means lnaenabls 70 the rlsk
shs was running, 10 the false position
IN which she had deliberately placed
herself. But she was confident, too, of
her ability 70 cops with Reynolds. shs
knew, from the why he looked a. her,
that she had power over him. and she
meant 70 use II 70 tho fullest possible
extent.
That night, indeed. after she had once
gone 70 her own room and assured her
self that she could lock herself in, she
deliberately ventured into the lions den,
nstapboricaily speaking She went down
10 the office, which Reynolds also used
as a library. He Was sitting thero alone
the servants had ali retired. At the
sight of her no started Up. plainly
pleased, but Mona drew back IN con
fusion.
II took the liberty Of coming down
10 borrow book" sho raid. II like %
read myself 70 sleep."
'1felp yourself, my dear" he said
''You-y bo chuckied rnsaningiy, and
leered at ber-~"yours welcome 20 more
than book from met"
sho went 70 the shelves and after ahe
had selected a novel. mads for tho door
"sit down" he said. "sit down and talk
10 me little. You're bonny company for
an old fellow like me. Bute-Pm not TOO
old. am IT.
"oh. no." she said. II mustn't stay.
Remember. I'm only your housekeeper
Mr. Reynolds"
Bs caeksd at that. and she started as
sho saw him go to his safe and open IT,
/ But. though she tried. she couldn't make
out ths conbination-he was shrewd
enough 70 prevent that When he turned
back he held out necklace 10 her,
slring Of sparkling briIliants.
Look al tho pretties" he said.
Mona took tho necklace and looked nt
II ndmiringly
eTts beoutiful." she said. Il envy you
that. ! believe"
'JIa-hag' he chuckied Try II on, my
dear who knows7 II you and ! get
along you might wear 70 for your ownl"
Mona pretended not TO understand. and
returned II TO him.
wow / must 90 10 bed" she said.
Good night. Mr.. ReynoIdsl"
80 soon" he said. wistfully, I've got
more Jewels 10 show you"
'MoreY she said, II should think
you'd be afraid Of hieyegf
I'm guarded against them" he said,
shrewdIy. 'Took-f'il show youl"
And in tho next few moments,
thanks to his vanity. Monta was able 10
make a mental chart OF tho Whole
burglar alarm system That protected the
place. She had hoped for this, rather
than expected II. And then she went to
her room. But in few moments there
came tapping at her door
TITS met said her employers cracked
voice. rs everything all right2"
quite. thanks" said Mona, with an
affectatlon of sIeepness in her voice.
lilo turned away at that and went to
his own room. disappointment plainly
written on his face.
Mona slept little, But she was up,
bright and fresh. in the morning. She
was not afraid OF Reynolds by day, As
she suspected. he had plenty TO keep
him occupied. 30 that while he might
think OF her. he would not have the
time 70 pursue her with HIS horrible at
tentiona His clients" people OF all
sorts and conditions, since all appeared
70 ho grist that came 10 his evil mill.
began 10 arrive soon after breakfast.
and came all day long. In a steady
stream. II was easy 10 understand that
his business waa profitable one
Mona. meanwhile. had affaira OF her
own that demanded her attention. The
first was meeting with Mary-preyi-
oualy arranged for, and held at nearby
robdhouse.
Everything looks fine. my dear
said Mona, nut you've got 70 find a
real burglar for me some ane who can
crack a safe. can't DO that-end it'a
the safe that contains what we're after
Do YOU think you canf'
Il can try" said Mary Il know
some awfully dlsrenutable people, you
know"
"weu. its vital 20 my plan to have
dependable safe cracker IN leave
that to YOU As usual, thu really hard
weFk l. for you 20 De"
l Mary Aid ns Ahe hRA told Mona, know
iot of mere ey ieaa shady people. Aud
On the uisht N her tails with Mona che
vent % place she had not visited Tor
! Ions time place thai had threatened,
cncs. d entfap her ard DRAG her desH
n vas q lnurious resort ~ those Who
smnke apiVm a place wheFa lha drus is
surrounded sith 81 ths glamour and faisa
famanta that constitutes tsa ehlef sppNai
20 many who sFa foNmins ~ aequslnl'
anee taf ghs fsrst lhna.
fbla rlsea was pei ln chlnatewn hut
m ans heart M ena ~ the basil dlsifleta
~ tba sW{. The heaso as mkarlaHa.Y
appointed ara tarnlshed There Mas
sftat Faam whs4m it thsF a. desired
tha patfaaa mishi tsba thsif sasa oH
era aaashas " ines pFshtrsd howeKef,
saAu fesuis strs a. thsiF ttspasai ehege
f&4sa. sssfsa.t Natss ssateaaau MMmN anaaatss..