Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-05-28
Story No. 8 Sauce for the Gander

eyes was the CLINT of either fever or
desperation, or both
"There-there isn't much to tell,
he began, stammering. 1T is just an.
other case Of the loan sharksi Dick
Laidlaw-he was the man | tried to
talk to-and his father have what
they call the Peoples Loan Agency
/ And-and when my mother died, just
after ! lost my job, and | had her fu-
neral expenses to pay, had to go TO
them to borrow the money. | couldn't
pay them when couldn't find work,
and so they took ali our little furni.
ture and threw me into the street.
tried to explain that il wasn't fair,
that ! would pay as soon as could,
but whenever | went 10 their office
they wouldn't see me. And so, | had
to wait until | could meet one OF them
on the street, and this was my first
chance. ! guess had my trouble for
my painsp he ended bitterly. "And
ought TO thank my stars that /
wasn't arrested in the bargainp
Mary studied him thoughtfuily and
decided that he was telling the truth.
She offered him money, which he re-
fused proudly, saying he would work
but never beg. lie did agree TO leave
his address with Mary and she prom
ised to help him.
Then Mary and Mona started out to
lead the Laidlaws into their trap. In
the case Of both father and son, there
was no wife 10 present an obstacle
Mary Laidlaw, who had been the
mother Of the hopeful Dick, had died
many years before, and since her
death, father and son had maintained
their own type Of bachelors cham
bers.
Armed with this information, the
girls next proceeded TO ascertain the
favorite restaurants OF the younger
Laidlaw, and as they expected, they
proved 10 be Of that hashy Broadway
type frequented by men about town,
and the young ladies OF the chorus. In
one gilded food emporium they finally
located him. The girls watched him
covertly take seat al a corner table,
from which he could command a view
Of the diners, without, himself, being
too much in the limelight Mary
pushed back her chair and rose hur-
riedly to her feet.
She put her hands TO her lips as
Mona looked up in surprise. 1T Is
better az present that nc should not
sec Us together | am going to rely
on your ingenuity to make the ac-
quaintance Of Mr.. Laidlaw before he
leaves the restaurant You will find
me at the apartment when you get
backp
And before the other could voice
protest, she was gone.
For few momctns Mona sat idly
drumming on the edge Of her table,
and toying with her food, The prob
lem, which her ehum had set her, was
not an easy one, TO say the least. But
il suddenly occurred TO Mona 10 try
the old lost money game, and as ex-
pected the scene with the waiter soon
brought Dick Laidlaw to the rescue.
Let me pay the bill II will be
pleasureP said Laidlaw.
THE girl hesitated, then smrren-
dered reluctantly "On one condition.
You must go home with me so that
! can pay you back at once"
He bowed. AS you wish" He
drew out a bill, and handed it care
lessly 10 the waiter, who reappeared
as by magic at his motion. With the
girl at his side, Laidlaw passed out Of
the restaurant, pausing in the en-
trance 10 call taxicab. Mona took
a seat in kind OF constrained silence
while Laidlaw strovc desperately TO
maintain conversation, which she
prevented sklfully
AS Mona was helped from the taxi
by young Laidlaw, she gave him
glance, which TO him might have
spelled victory, but which in reality
was but forced smile. and Mona
saw that the first act in her little de-
ception had been successful.
BY an arrangement with the super
intendent Of the apartment house,
Mona and Mary had secretly installed
"buzzcr" under the runner OF the
stairway. so that should either re-
turn suddenly with a stranger the
fact could be announced, thus giving
the girl in the room sufficient time
TO retire.
Hardly anticipating that Mona had
been so successful in netting her vic
tim, Mary slipped into the boudoir
Just as Mona turned the key in the
lock.
Young Laidlaw at first refused to
accept the money, but Mona, with
charming smile. insisted so strongly
that he was obliged at last to ac-
eept it,
MAY ! call again" asked Laidlaw.
as he left
suit yourself" Monas voice was
still icy,
Tomorrow" asked Laidlaw Gag
erly
Yes" said Mona hcsitatingly.
The girl closed the door. For a
moment she stood listening. and then
as she heard the man turn, and slowly
make his way down the hall toward
the stairs, she flew back into the liy-
ing room and into the arms Of Mary,
who was smothering a yawn in the
doorway OF their bedroom.
And now what oi the next step IN
our campaign asked Mary, as she
cufled herself on the couch, with her
feet hnddled up under the lacy robe
oi her negligte. eve have only one
~ CUT victims biting. remember.
What 81 the father"
That Is up "a you," said Mona.
ssfenely You have leii the hard.
go part 10 me laldlaw 81, must
be Nunf TASK
A. Il developed, u was nbt only
during the neSt dsy, but succession
oi DAYS, that Mona's talents a. a..
IINaA AaLa lAlLnI into nlan IL IL