Omaha daily bee., 1916-04-23
Story No. 3-- The Parasite


Thank you said Mona Here"
"oh. thank you. Miss" said the girl
flushing with pleasure as she received her
tip.
The maid went out. and Mary sitting
bark IN the deep chair that was 70 placed
that she could look out. without moving,
and see the park with its ever changing
panorama, laughed
Mona" she said. Wi you tell me
Why you sent for that gih 10 40 a lot on
ally things for you. which would have
made you indignant had anyone even Of
fsrsd to DO them for you few weeks
agof"
II DID Il Just because Ike 20 be luz
urious.y said Mona She stretched out
her arms. AMI took step or two. Mary
don't you lovs II, too7' Here We are,
you and T. soms people would say we
ought 70 be hunted fugitiyes. flying
around the country under assumed names
--and instead, we're living here. nght
within sight OF the scene of our exploits
in the most expensive hotel IN town"
n suppose were pair of acamps,'
for our two worthy ~ vc,ima. Thsy
thought I was rich-and easy. But II
VAS mighty funny 10 sec the way they
rhied II / happened 70 mention casually
that any girl knsw was married.
I'VE dId get their money with our plan,"
ssid Mary. and ! may be all wrong. but
haven't any gcrupjes about them. either
II win he ali right 10 collect the expenses
for our campaign II We always take care
70 present the bnl 10 someone who DO
serves what hs gets az richly a. those
two men did"
speaking of that" said Mona. we've
got 70 keep our eyes open, Mary mine
were living IN the very lap OF luxury
3uat now, but n We don't watch out well
slide Off on the floor. We've got 70 be-
forehanded. you and r. We can't walt
fil the wolf Is At the door-we want 20
turn him away before ne remembers 10
stnrt looking for US"
You're right" sald Mary. Tim keen
snough when we've once started. Mona
you'll admit / did my part IN tho
other mattergl But ifs a good thing
I've got partner like you, or never
would get started"
You're not started yet. you know"
said Mona. dryiy. Two not the slightest
idea Of what 10 DO next Have your
MY minds empty. just want 10 stay
here forever and bssk in the luxury Of
this placel"
eoh. something VIII turn up" said
Mary, confidently. 'But--I like the luz
.fl AL. a.
Mona. sull-T wish we had some
frfeDdsr'
'Fend friends. !" said Mona, IN mock
alarm. we can't afford that luxury.
my dsar-and it's about the only ono
We can't too Not until we've made
and saved enough to give us nice In
come. and think we've quite long
road TO travel before that time comes"
'Yas-because. after all. we have got
soms scrupiesl We don't break the law.
Wen stick 10 that agreement, / think"
'Yes-wsil only bend II. like the big
corporations. It's silly 70 break the law
-its 80 easy 10 get around III For us
all we have 70 DO Ia TO select our victims
from among those who nre breaking the
law themselves. Then ws'rs safe by
tho way-taiking about the law, consider
mo and my doingsi I've made a--welI,
not friend. but an acquaintance. hersi"
I'm the hotel, Mona7 who7''
The house detective. no Iessr' said
Mona. proudly.
For heavens saksi'' said Mary. with
q laugh. "Why-and howr'
''oh. don't know-it Just seemed 20
me he might be useful He's an inter-
esting person. reaily--and he likes me
ever so much. He tells me about all
the trouble women make for him here
1.-The things they lose. and all sorts Of
things It's quite entertaining Come
on down-Iil introduce you to him"
80 IN few minutes. they went down
to the luxurious lobby OF the hotel But
Mary had 10 walt for her Introduction.
There he Is" said Mona "But he's
busy. Mary-f don't believe that woman !
just lost ring or something She looks
as u she were In deadly troubler'
u was truo. A woman whose face bore
signs Of storm OF emotion was pleading
with the man.
Mona.
Mona and Mary had not long 10 wait
before the woman. greatly detected. left
tho detectives and went 10 tine elevator.
Her manner made II plain that ne had
not been ahle TO comfort her.
'Misa Bnmett-Mr clyde" said Mona.
Miss Burnett lives with mo. Mr.. clyde
Now-you're going 10 be nice 10 ua, aren't
your we're dying with curioallyi What
was the matter with that poor soul YOU
we're taking with Just nowf I'm SIRE
shaa IN some sort Of real sroublera
should say she vast calculated clyde
hngFily "of course. it'a her own fault
IN q way-a and yer. when 1 think ef
man who IL seoundtel enough 10 take kA
vantage Of a wemAn'H mistake
''Yea've simply got 10 tel ua niors than
that" said Mona. determination plain N
her voice and IN every line q her fsas
tures
''wsli-t don't knew.~ sAia cqyde. anub,.
fully = set lots ef information IA eons
f'aenes that TN net a. liberty "a
Pass on.
"nh. pleas pisassr saia Mary "whf
vhst harm could Il a.. MN elyasf We
don't hBa@ the woman an We maala
never lsil On Ysn'
And besides y mtMht ~ wewiRR -
VA ssia Mens Z thnk it'a Yapr duiY Is
tsll " - that sen nsrsh ~ sRy ehanes
mahs the sAms nistaks shs al1
NJ isAF ~ shafa sait elyas uafmls
We'll n Faull pfeml~ nos "a ~ aa
that Yea knas anxinlaa kaa nssef ~
aWy yhAwse AFwAthN ta aaei that 4
iett sag
'pe - ~iilH saa Mars silaasstlY