The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-28

illness of her tone. And he made an instant effort
too, to brace up: to prevent her from seeing how
hopeless he really was.
Hello. Mary he said sits good to see you!
How's every little thing?"
But the gayety of his voice was forced.
Fine, Jsck" said Mary. How is it with
you? You look-well?"
"oh. I'm all right :" he said. 1--WE had little
hard luck, but things are going to break better
for I've been sick. you see"
Come into the park and well have talk,
for old times sake" said Mary.
He went with her willingly, and when they
were seated q bench Mary turned on him
frankly
Now. Jack" she said. "fess up! You're up
against it, aren't you? You needn't be ashamed
TO tell ne-I'ye been to you for help"
He broke down quite suddenly.
Il didn't think I'd ever go crying to
woman" he said, bitterly. But you're right,
Mary, What's the use of living? They've got me
pretty nearly down and out y.
quietly, bill Take it" she said. : furiously,
when he tried to refuse What goods friend
If you won't let them help? Besdes-this isn't
gift. It's an advance I'm going to need your
help want you to go to some place where
car reach you at any time. You're ready for
pretty nearly anything, aren't you?"
For anything at all" he said. God bless
you, Mary!"
"Now. 60 to this little hotel and wait till you
hear from me, 1t won't be long"
Mona meantime had thoroughly enjoyed her
ride with Gerry Almost from the first, Gerry
had been disposed to be more friendly than II Is
necessary for an architect to be with his client,
but Mona had had no difficulty in keeping him
at arms length. She had adopted the simplest
of all woman's expedients she had simply pre-
tended not to understand the significance and the
real meaning of his advances
And the enslavement Of Gerry was begun
1t went on apace. Before long the state of his
feelings toward Mona was no longer a secret. He
wa ready RI ANYTHING win her. Ruts Mona
pretended blissful inconsistencies, and Gerry
Gerry the heartbresker, the squire >of DANES
was actually afraid OF her. He was afraid TO
put his fate to the test Sometimes. 1t seemed to
him. Mona liked him immensely. But there were
other times when she was cold and distant, and
he was never which Mona would greet him
when he came. with the fast growing portfolio
of sketches of the bungalow he was to build for
her. He never saw Mary when he called, as he did,
now, nearly every afternoon. II she was In when
he came she always stayed in her own room; IT
she neared the house. If Gerry calling, Mona
always arranged a signal and Mary. seeing it,
would turn and walk for hour SO, to give
Gerry time to leave.
ut seems a shame, aimost-he's easy"
said Mary.
II hate hin-and It may be easy for you,
but II isn't for me !" said Mona. Hes always
trying to make love to me! And IL wouldn't
marry him If he were the only man on earth I"
You certainly would not, my dear" said
Mary I'D marry him first !"
All Joking aside, though" said Mona. Il
think it's time to put your plan into execution
Jack Deering knows his part thoroughly. And
think Gerry is ripe for plucking now he
ever will be-"
"I've been thinking that myself, Mona. Sup
pose you let him. take YOU to lunch tomorrow
He asked you didn't he?"
''Yes-and l said I'd telephone to him in the
morning" Q --
"All right. Tell him to make II the San
Marco at one o'clock. III be there-and you can
notice me, after you get comfortably settled at
your own table. You know what to do? We've
rehearsed Il often enough"
half past twelve!" said Mons, after . mo-