Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-09
The Social Pirates -

Office from the adjoining room. With
out word she stepped across to
Herman and held out her hand.
Give me that motel" she demanded
What note evadcd Herman I'M.
easily, and Mary snatchcd it away,
her eyes flashing
Il thought that You were my
frlends!' She said cuttlngly.
Il ami" protested Herman. "l GU
are jumping at conclusions. my dear
young womanl You are the most re
markablc girl have ever met" He
rose from his chair and tried to put
his arm around her waist, but Mary
cleverly cvaded him.
Then you will have to prove it,
she returned icily. Il didn't bring that
girl here for You to make love to! |
want you to understand that, and get
ii straight! 1t is a strictly business
proposition. And J want you to keep
it on that basis!'
"Of course, shall, my dear" Herr
man looked properly crestfallen and
humble. Mary looked at him, opened
her lips as though to speak again and,
then, without another word, stepped
into the hall slamming the door be
hind her. Her eyes we're twinkling
when the elevator answered her sum-
mons. She could picture the profess
sor pacing the floor of his office un-
easily, debating the best course to fol
low under the embarrassing circum-
stances.
Mary had hardly rejoined Mona in
their fiat when the telephone shrilled
abruptly. Mona stepped to the in
strumcnt, laughing,
"Who wants to wager that it isn't
Hermann" She took down the re-
ceiver and motioned Mary and Win
ME Andrews to come closer
How are you, professor" she
called swcetly. 1T is SO good OF you
to remember me so soon! What is
that? Will | be at home this even
ing? OF counsel Yes, indeed, shall
be glad to see you"
She hung back the received and
burst into paroxysm of merriment.
He will be here at 8. You will
have to leave the coast clear, Mary.
Let ME see--you gave him your ad-
dress, didn't your
Il told him | lived in the suburbs.
But think | will call on you tonight,
if you don't mind, dear?"
Fine! Give me half an hour with
HIM and | will guarantee to arrange as
pretty tableau as you ever saw"
The girls hurried through their din
ncr and Mary and Winnie Andrews
made their way to the street TO watch
for the coming of Herman, while
Mona proceeded to make an elaborate
toilet for the event. The professor
was on time and flushed with pleas
ure and conceit at the warmth OF
Mona's greeting. The girl told him
demurely that her aunt was calling
on friends and that they were alone.
She was an adept in the arts Of the
coquette and aided by soft candle
lights and the sentimental music
which the Professor was drumming
out of the piano, it was not long be-
fore Herman showed that his con-
quest was complete.
He was bending over her on cor
ner divan when the hall door opened
softly and Mary burst into the room
with an exaggerated cry of welcome
to Mona. Then she paused as she
recognized Herman. The professor
stepped forward hastily, holding on,
his hand to her tenderly, but she
ignored it.
Il did not know that you had COM
pany, Miss Gordon" she said icily
~ bid you good night"
With her head held high and her
eyes flashing she strobe from the
room leaving the discounted profes-
sor starring after her stupidity. In the
corridor outside she seized Winnie
Andrews arm and hurried to the
street.
Il want a taxicab quick!' The pro-
fessor will naturally think that have
gone to his office to wait for him, and
have an accounting of his actions
and he will follow me there as soon
as he can get away! You tell Mona
where have gone and tell her | will
phone her!"
She sprang into a machine waiting
at the corner and waved her hand
jauntly If her calculations were cor
rect she saw daring way by which
she could force issues that very night!
If Herman was still unsuspicious OF
the trap into which he was being
led she was confident that he would
do anything, promise anything, rather
than have the situation spoiled-and
thus lose the chance for the $4,000
for the make-believe opera company
1t all depended on how thoroughly
they had hoodwinked him!
Mary made her way to the rooms
of the Vocal academy, which she
knew were kept open until 10 o'clock
and let herself into Herrman's pri
vate Office. She did not have long to
wait. In less than half an hour she
heard a step outside and the door
opened to admit the professor. He
breathed an obvious sigh of relief as
y he saw her figure waiting.
u had hoped you would be here, my
dear young friend! | have come &c
E. explain to you certain things which
$ I fear may have deceived you"
j There is no need Of explanations 7
said Mary curtlv, rising Il WASH
t born yesterday, although | may ap
= pear innocent to you! have decided
that this affair has gone quite fal
Z enough was only waiting for yot
Z to come so that | could tell you tc
e your face! am going to explain