The Washington times., 1916-01-25


Where are you going?" she asked
anxiousIy.
Just for a walk on the beach,
Not without me-" ~N
'Tou know it tires you terribly to
walk in the sand. DEAR" June said, a
little impatiently. why do. you come?''
Because I'm not going to let you
out aloneS Gas long as you have that
mark on your hand"
June looked down. She smiled, In
tensely relieved. The circle had dis
appeared. She held UP the hand trl-
umphantIy.
<ow, are you afrsidy' she inquired
archly. NOW that I'm no longer
brandedY'
I'm just as afraid. And I'm going
with you
june sighed with exaggerated resig-
nation.
An right, Mrs. Calamity; come
along"
you see," said June as they walked
over the sands, II have to hold you
up. It's hard enough for a young,
strong person to walk in this SOFT par;.
and surely for an old woman like"
old woman. indeed"' Mary inter-
rupred, huf6ily.
''Weil. old dear, then" compromised
whatever else you are; and can't stay
angry at yoll 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!'
you are. Don't say any more about
it, but look right there over the water
and count the seagulls. II you count
more than ten Ill treat you to an Ice
cream cone.
II 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
business is so bad this morning, too?
Ohn'
The exclamation was sudden-and
sharp. Mary jumped UP, startled.
What's the matter? What's the mat
ter, dear?'
fier evident alarm reused June She
why, just had the funniest little
chill, right down the middle of my back.
never have those things. l wonder
what gave 1t to me-"
You must be catching cold" Mary
fused about her like hen around her
chick. "WeH go back to the house.
You mustn't run the risk of catching
"PneumOnia-In this glorious, sun
gently. why don't you suggest chill
blains, and be done with II? But ~
tell you what would like, If you don't
mind, dear; wish you'd get my coat
for me-" IN, ,.
The old woman started off Immediate
ly. When she had gone few steps she
turned back.
Are you sure you'll be all right?"
she inquired wistfully.
''Of course l will. Run along now
before get another chill"
Thus alarmed. Mary hurried away
and June sat down, demurely. watch
ing from the corner of her eye until
the~nVTse disappeared inside the house.
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
Tor the scissors.
On the sand, leaning against a 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. Dust as June had
caught sight OF him when she had shiv-
eredD.
The man walked stupidity for the frac-
ton of second, cuffed the monkey
over the head. forced him down on his
lap again. and went back to sleep. His
dark greasy face was doubly hideous
with closed eyes and blank expression.
His stubby, right hand was wound
round with three or four coils of the
monkeys rope. making the litde beast
a secure prisoner, and his left hand
was lying on the sand stretched toward
his hand organ as II in unconscious
protection.
June crept around under the pier.
keeping we'll behind him until she made
sure that he was really asleep-not
shamming Very cautiously she dropped
to her knees and crawled toward tho
organ. ....
With remarkable rapidity she un-
NI.nh
attached to it and got on her feet.
Then she listened to the Italians loud
breathing, before she moved forward
quietly until she stood directly behind
the pile against which he was leaning.
Ihere was no fear on her face. Only
caution and certain cunning bold
ness. Stealthily, she slipped the strap
around the sleeping mans body. draw
inS II BACK behind the pile. She put
the eyelet end through the buckle, but
did not fasten it. Then she put the
scissors on the sand beside her.
Having proceeded so far successfully,
he thought for an instant. trying to de-
termine what her next move would be
Picking 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 deHverer had come, laid his little
face against her hand. softly.
June pushed him back gently. The
scissors were dull. The rope was
tough. The effort to cut il brought
the blood to her hand. Slowly, the
Italian blinked his eyes and opened
them.
Immediately under his nose was a
strong young hand welding a glitter
ing wea pom. HRlf-conscious he shud-
dered inwardly.. In his nightmare, some
one was working out vendetta-su
Cessfully. His eyes closed. The vivid
ness of the dream was too much for
him, however. lie opened. them again
This time all he could see was ring
OF scaret-Rn omen of eternal blood
shed.
stupid with sleep, he made a half
attempt to sit erect on the instant
june pulled the strap tight with her
left hand, buckled 1t, seized the monkey
with the right and sped off down tie
her.
On the edge of the sand, an old
woman in black, ghastlv pale and pet
rlfied with fear. watched her 60. over
Mary's arm hung the wrap she had
beeN sent for.
J strapped to the pile. the Italian was
kicking up an awful TOW. Ills patched
legs waved wildly In the air, He had
struggled so viO cnt'y that his face was
study in Crimson and purple. Ills
beady black eyes vere slzzlng dots
or wide cNn'nse or buisi"g, yellow