Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-12
in the radiance of the new business

III tHe TauiaHCe OF inc new business
plans.
But his promise to Royce was put
to the test at once, for that very after
noon, when he reached his apartment,
Lois appeared there. She was heav-
lily yelled, but Frcneau's valet seemed
to know her, He backed out dis
creetly. When Lois threw off the
shroud her face was terrible in its
resolution.
you shan't marry Gloria, Dick
she said, You shan't throw me over
NOT for herl You shan't marry her
Of all the people in the world"
Freneau was tired OF Lois and tired
Of interference. He forgot to be gen.
tie. He laughed.
"Noi And how are you going to
stop mei"
Lois cold, hard answer bowled him
over: Even Gloria can't be so crazy
about you that she would marry you
| II were found dead here"
Freneau stared at her aghast, He
could not quite be sure of her mean
| ing till he saw little phial in her
Inland. He leaped for it. But she
lodged round his desk and put II to
her lips.
Don't you come near me or you'll
wish you hadn't" she cried. IF you
take another step III swallow this"
Freneau had to temporize with the
mad woman. He surrendered weakly
and dropped into a chair.
Listen to me, Lois" he pleaded.
II went to her father to borrow
money. I've got to have his support
or go bankrupt. II do that I'll blow
my brains out OF course, ! don't
love Gloria. My heart is yours. But
can't marry you. II marry her
she won't interfere with your love and
mine. We shall be all the safer. II
you love me, you won't ruin me. II
you don't love me, give me the phial
and Ill get out Of your way"
She was in so insane a mood OF
jealousy and longing, that she be-
licved him. She made him swear
that he spoke the truth, as if an oath
/ or two meant anything 10 him. Then
she suffered herself to remain his
dupc, and he took her down to a taxi
cab, feeling sure that he was well
rid Of her,
When she had gone he breathed
more easily, He even laughed He
had everybody working for him, His
rival, Royce, was toiling TO save Glor-
las life. His ex-flame, Lois, was in
league with him to keep up the de-
ccption. Gloria's father was lending
him money. He was plainly child
OF destiny.
He was so treasured by his luck
that he made holiday with Mulry,
who had planned to start off at once
on a round of the different cities
where they had branch offices for the
convenience Of victims who lived far
from New York. 7
Ignorance may be bliss. but il is not
preparedness. Freheau was blisshil
in his belief that Lois Was quoted. He
did not dream, nor did she, that David
Stafford was now awakened. When
Frcneau took Lois to the taxicab, she
lowered her veil, but veil is only a
partial disguise at best. and il may
attract attention. Neither Freneau
nor Lois noted that certain Mrs
Coleridge was passing, or that she
stared hard. Mrs. Coleridgc was one
of the prettiest faces in Freneau's
pack OF discards. She was sort OF
female Freneau, but in Freneau she
had met her match, because she al
lowed herself to be more thrilled
than thrilling. He had passed on
without long pause before her
| shrine.
| Mrs. Coleridgc had seen Frcncau
with Lois at various tea dances and
| she recognized Lois all the more read.
| lily for her veil, She was outraged ID
| her finest sensibii,ics. She felt il
| her duty that Lois was punished. She
| did not want to appear as complain.
! ing witness, but her righteous indig.
| nation carried her to a large hotel ii
whose writing room she found pen
| ink, paper, envelopes and secrecy. She
dashed OH little note to David ad.
vising him that his wife was show.
ing more interest than he might ap.
4 prove in certain heart-brcakcr. Mrs
Coieridge neglected TO sign her name