The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-11

never have consented to this adventure except
for her."
Nor II" said Mary. mo matter how had
things were, I'd never have driven mile with
Goodwin Clay for my own sake"
Mary, after maintaining absolute silence and
seclusion for couple of days, finally wrote to
Clay. And so quickly that she knew he must St
have acted as soon as he had read her note he
called her on the telephone.
You gave me a fine scare - he complained
you're all right?"
IAN rightyes." she laughed lotto was get.
Ting ready to go away, you see, and he was
We'll, he's gone, has he?" said Clay
Yes. he's gone! The coast 10 clear!"
Well, I'm coming over to see you AL right?-
Yes-I1l be glad. Soon?"
"In half hour"
Mary turned from the telephone and nodded
to Mona. To very different Mona. For Mona
had transformed herself nightly. She wore a
mans suit Her hair long, and fell about
her ears and low on her forehead. Her coat was
OF velvet; she had, deliberately, preserved much
OF the femnnty of her appearance. She wore
flowing Windsor tie, and low collar. with
deep points. And in her hand she had a violin
case.
You're perfect, Mona! !" said Mary you're
Otto-1ust as I've described him. over and over
again! Now-get that wild look into your ewes I"
Mona practiced before a mirror and they
both laughed at the effect she produced.
will do?" said Mona, anxously
IF you don't-wel I've been very badly
fooled!' said Mary. But I'm not bit worried,
Go out now and wait till you him come"
80 Mona went out, and Mary waited for
Clays arrival He time And so much in
awe of her did he stand that he was deferential
almost timid, in his manner, when she admitted
him. This was very different from most of his
affairs. He did not believe that Mary was really
so different from the rest, but he did understand
somehow that she was of finer sort, and that
1t would be easy to brighten her So he had toned
down his usual rough and boisterous way to a
considerable degree.
Its relief to have Otto go away" said
Mary, with sigh. HE keeps constantly
at concert pitch, you know, His music make.
him so nervous so irritable. that it's almost i'm
possible to live with him without going mad!"
"A fellow like that has got right to ge
married said Clay. sympathetcally. Say, why
don't you just slip away while he's gomez
I'm afraid" said Mary. lie wanted me rt
go with him at first He threatened me with all
sorts of things If even SPOKE TO u man while he
gone-said he'd have way of finding out"
Don't you believe it I" said Clay confidently.
But IL was only his voice that really conf
dent; he looked around nervously. And suddenly
Just as he was about TO speak again. there
loud knock at the door. They stared at one an.
other; it was repeated with increasing violence.
Its my husband :" gasped Mary, going white.
He must have played q, trick on me-"
THE doors lockedII tried it." whispered
Clay. Keep stilihe may think the place is
empty and go away.'
The door locked-hut from the outside.
The two girls had manipulated the lock so MS
10 uectiNe Nidy ana now, Wnlle Gay ana Mary
covered fearfully inside, the pounding on the
door became and more violent, until at
last 1t gave way. seemingly before savage
sault with the fire extinguisher but really be-
cause Mona had turned the key. The in
slant. Mona, in the guise of Otto confronted
them.
"Otto-Otto! walled Mary. Don't be angry
Mr.. Clay is an old friend-it's perfectly all
And Clay, just Mary had predicted showed
his yellow streak. He tried to escape from the
frail but furious musician. But Otto snatchcd
pistol from the drawer of table and covered
him.
sit down." he cried, in tense, high voice.
Mary went to him and flung her arm about
his neck, but Otto cast her off furiously.
II shall go mad"' he cried What shall /
do, kill you both? No-then they would kill me,
too" Suddenly he stared at Clay. II know you,
you wretch he cried You are notorious for
your dealings with women. You-why. you even
perjured yourself to get rid of your unfortunate
wife,
No" stammered Clay.
'Will you lie now-when you face death?"
cried Otto. as II maddened. His eyes lighted up.
"Ah-I have it !" he cried "Sit-write a confes-
sion, and put in the proofs of your perjury! At
once-or I will kill you!"
In vain Clay stormed and protested. Otto,
furnishing the pistol, threatened him until he
complied.
"Goodr he said, when Clay had done .If
you do not tomorrow make PREPARATION to. your
wife, win use this And now-what will you do
for me-for the woman who was my wife7'
Mary screamed.
You shah provide for her-now that You
have driven apartl" said Otto. II owe her
that much. Write her a check noww
And this much Clay was glad to do.
TIA have done that, snyhow," he Rrowled
but you're mad, man! Take her back! She's :
good womanv'
Otto only sneered. And when the check was
written he drove them both out.
Mary, shaken and hysterical-but from her
triumph at the complete success Of their plans and
not, as Clay supposed. because of Otto's return!
went with Clay. He drove with her at once to
"You need some supper-that will brace you
mp" he said. 1T was hard luck having him play
trick like that"
go In and get tablet want to tele-
phone! said Mary. distracted1y. And in the
booth, she called Mona. In q minute she reioined
him. And it was not long before, to Claws
amazement, Mona herself in her own clothes.
slipped into the vacant chair beside Mary Slowly
he recognized In her the mad musician But be-
fore he could denounce them Mary spoke.
For once you've been beaten at your own
game r she said. You pretend to be good sport
prove It by making things right with your
wife. And, If you don't-remember that vousyA