The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-20
CONTINUED from Yesterday

NOOnIlnueO from 1eSIeTuay.b
TINE Travis car turned into the
drive leading to the hotel. June
squeezed Mrs. Travis hand I'M
der the robes.
Just look at the crowd!' she ex-
claimed with delight. This is going
TO be the best dance Of the season. I
see Nell Ferguson. Don't you see her
standing next to that second pillar,
talking to Warren Pearson, mother
She's got on that embroidered thing
her uncle brought her from Japan. l
must dance with Warren-he's a
dream"
"June!"
I meant a dream of a dancer, moth
er. I'm not a bit interested in warrie
Pearson II that's what you mean.
He's
An attendant in livery helped them
from the car. June took hold of Mary s
hand and helped her UP the steps.
just don't you let me catch you
hirting-that's ALL" she whispered
wickedly in the old woman's ear; and
Mrs. Travis wondered what Mary's
sudden indignant exclamation was
about.
Every ones going inside, dear" the
nurse said, as they reached the top
or the steps. Let me take your
Things to the coat room or you'll be
late for the first dance"
On don't care about the first
dance. haven't promised 1t to any
one. I'm going to see who's here first.
stay out here with me just q minute"
She walked to one OF the long French
windows and looked inside. The scene
was gay enough to dispel any shad-
oWs. Yet over in one corner, leaning
against pillar, his arms folded, his
chin held closely in one hand, was La
mar. In brown study.
Are you coming. June?" Mrs. Travis
called little impatiently
IN a minute. mother. Go on in; I'll
Mary crept up beside her and looked
over her shoulder. Her eyes fell on
Lamar: and she started so violently
That June put out an arm to steady her.
There's nothing to be frightened
about" she said. soothingly. Nothing
at all, only"
Only whatr' asked Mary. quaver-
Only I'm going to put on my
A minute later she entered-the ball
room with her mother. Presently she
was surrounded by men imploring her
to allow them to autograph her dance
card. Lamar glanced up. saw her. and
started across the floor in her direc-
ton.
AS he emerged from his secluded cor
ner, Drew and the count. who had been
looking for him. seized his arm and
pulled him back against the wall.
What have you found out?" asked
Drew. hoarsely.
Lamar shrugged his shoulders. The
gesture was significant.
Nothing" he answered simply.
But you've got to- insisted young
Drew. You don't seem to realize what's
involved"
"Oh. / realize It all right" answered
Lamar coldly. but you don't seem ia
realize that you are dealing with the
most daring, the most INGENIOUS. and
most fiendishly lucky crook that the po'
lice department has run against. These
things don't solve themselves my boy
and other people can't solve them
quickly. BY the way. you stopped me
when l was on my way to perform q
very important Grand"
Yes? What? A clue?" Drew's face
was eagerly alive now.
No" drawled Lamar, mot that
was about to greet Miss Travis
and ask her to give me a dance"
Drew grunted in disgust. The count
opened his mouth to protest. But La
mar waved them both aside and hurried
Mary. sitting on a little settee agains
the wall of the ball room saw him take
June's hand and bend over 1t. She hal
rose from the seat. then remembered
where she was and sat down again
gripping the arm of the chair anC
watching every move of the little group
suddenly woman appeared at one o.
the pillars-a woman who attracted at
tention by her daring attire. She wor,
a gown whose foundation was OF fiesl
color chiffon. The Overdress was sim
ply a network OF Jet. The costume wa
darinRly decollete, and was held in plac
over the shoulders by a delicate chair
of jet beads. Among the pretty, girlisl
dance frocks 1t looked bizarre-all blu
Just FOR a moment she leaned agaIns
the pillar, waving a huge, black ostricl
ian to and fro. over the soft tips o
the graceful feathers her eyes met thos
of a Venturesome young man. Sh
slgnaled. He obeyed Mary watched
until the two were lost i'm the maze o
cancers. Then her eyes wandered bacl
10 June, who was still deeply engrosset
in what Lamar was saying.
Mary wished that some Of the mel
would come up and Claim June for
canoe. Anything TO be ill of Lamar
The worried old woman searched tn
crowd in the hope of finding Warrel
Pearson. If she succeeded In locating
him she would o up and tel! hin
what June had said about wanting Z
dance with him, earlier in the evening
But Warren was nowhere to be seen
Instead the slender woman in IN
startling costume kept dsnoing int
Mary's line of vision She was lean
ing hack against her partners arm
looking into his Eyes. a haunting smil
on her thin vivid lips.
While Mary was deciding that thi
was quite the most disgusting type O
Barnan Ghs had ever seen' the STRAINS