The Washington times., 1916-01-25


~ her from the door and came
toward her rapidly. her hands
outstretched.
Where are you going?" she asked,
anxiously.
Just for a walk on the beach,
Not without me-
1ou know it tires you terribly to
walk in the sand, dear" June said a
little impatiently. why do. you Gomez
"Because I'm not going to let you
out alone Gas long as you have that
mark on your hand"
June looked down. She smiled, In
tensey relieved. The circle had dis
appeared. She held UP the hand tn-
umphantly.
NOW, are you afraid" she inquired
archly. Now that m no longer
branded"'
I'm just as afraid. And I'm going
with you.
.June sighed with exaggerated resig-
nation.
All right, Mrs. Calamity; come
along
You see" said June as they walked
over the sands, Il have to hold you
up. It's hard enough for young,
strong person to walk in this SOFT pare.
and surely tor an old woman like
old woman, indeed Mary inter-
lupted hufkiiy.
We'll. old dear, then" compromised
June. Because you are an old dear
Whatever else you are; and can't. stay
angry at yon more than two SECONDS.
/ love you too much. Sit right Gown
here on this old wreck and rest now
YOU re putting like steam engine"
I'm not"'
it. but look right there over the water
and count the seagulls. If YOU count
more than ten I'll treat YOU to an ice
cream cone.
Il don't want any ice cream cone"
Mary protested meekly. They make
my teeth ache
What! you wouldn't put up with a
little thing like a toothache to help
along the poor ice cream man, when
OH"
The exclamation was sunderland
sharp. Mary jumped up. startled.
w hats the matter" What's the mat
ter, dear
iier evident alarm reused June. She
shivered slightly.
why. / just had the funniest little
chin, right down the middle of my back.
what gave it to me
You must be catching cold Mary
fused about her like hen around her
chick. We'll go back to the house.
pneumonia.
"Pneumonia-in this glorious, sun
shiny weather." June laughed indul-
gently. why don't you suggest chill
hlains, and be done with it? But III
tell you what l would like, If you don't
mind, dear; wish you'd get my coat
for me-"
why Of course T will. lamb"
The old woman started off Immediate
ly When she had gone a few steps she
turned back
Are you sure you'll be all right"
she inquired wistfully.
"Of course l will. Run along now
before I get another chill"
Thus alarmed. Mary hurried away
and June sat down. demurely. watch
ing from the corner of her eye until
Suddenly she twisted around and
shaded her eyes with her hand. Yes.
he was still there. She started for
ward. her hand reaching into her pocket
lor the scissors.
On the sand. leaning against pile.
under the pier. sat the Italian organ
grinder sound asleep-his old, battered
organ propped up. beside him. The
monkey. sitting on his lap, pulled rest
lessly at his coat. Just as June had
caught sight Of him when she had shiv-
Cred).
The man walked stupidly for the frac-
ton OF a second. cuffed the monkey
over the head. forced him down on his
dark, greasy face was doubly hidoous
with closed eyes and blank expression.
His stubby, right hand was wound
round with three or four coils of the
monkeys rope. making the little beast
a secure prisoner. and his left hand
was lying on the sand stretched toward
his hand organ as If in unconscious
protection.
Juno crept around under the pier.
keeping well behind him until she made
hr H..
shamming. Very cautiously she dropped
t" her knees and craWled toward tho
organ.
With remarkable rapidity she un-
bu'kled the broad, tough strap that was
attached to it and got on her feet.
Then she listened to the Italians loud
breathing before she moved forward
GWetIy until she stood directly behind
tho pile against which he was leaning
There was no fear on her face. Only
caution and a certain cunning bold
ncSs. Stealthily, she slipped the strap
around the sleeping mans body draw
inS 1t back behind the pile. She put
Inc eyelet end through the buckle, but
scissors on the sand beside her.
Having proceeded so far succcs fully,
he thought for an instant, trying TO de-
termnc what her next move would be-
blcklnS up the scissors she slipped her
right hand around the pile and started
to cut the monkeys rope. close to the
Italians hand. The monkey. sensing
that a deliEerer had come laid his little
face against her hand. softly
June pushed him back gently. The
scissors we're dull. The rope was
tough. The effort to cut ii brought
the blood to her hand. Slowly. the
H. allan blnked his eyes and opened
them.
Immediately under his nose was a
strong Young hand welding glitter
Ing weapon. Half-cOnsCiouS. he Shud-
d"red inwardy.. In his nightmare. some
one was working out a Vcndotta- sue
'"ssfully. His eyes closed. The vivid
ness of the dream was too much for
him, however. He opened. them again.
This tim" all he could see was a ring
Of scarret-an omen of eternal blood
shed.
stupid with sleep, he made half
attempt 10 sit erect. on the instant
June pulled the strap tight with hcr
left hand, bucklcd it, seized tho monkey
with the right and sped off down the
beach, the cut rope trailing behind
her
On the edge of the sand an old
woman in black, ghastlv pale and pet
lified with fear, watched her 60. over
Mary's arm hung the wrap she had
leCN sent for.
snsppcd TO the pile. the Italian vas