The Washington herald., 1916-04-23

lines' Of her tone. Nnd he made an instant effort.
roo, to brace up: to prevent her from seeing how
HOPELESS he really was.
"HeIIO, Mary e" he said. Its good TO see YOU
How's every little thng?"
Gut the gaye'y Of his voice was forced
Fine, Jack" said Mary. How is it with
you? You look wen?"
"Oh, I'm all right :" he said ave had little
hard luck. but things going TO break better
tor me now. I've been sick, you see
"Come into the park and we'll have talk.
for old times sake" said Marry.
He went with her willingly. and when rhey
were seated on bench Mary turned hm
Now. jack she said, "'fess up; You're mp
against it, aren't YOU" You needn't he ashamed
to tell me-I've been to You for help"
He broke down quite suddenly.
u didn't think I'd ever 60 CRYING 70
woman" he said. bitterly "Bnt you're right,
Mary. What's the uso of living? They've got
pretty nearly down and out go
''Here," said Mary. She slipped him. very
quietly. bill Take it :" she said. fwiousIy.
when he tried TO refuse "What goods friend
II Won won't let them help? Resides this isn't
gift. It's an advance. I'm going to need Your
help. I want YOU to 20 TO place where |
can 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"
I'll give you a chance to prove if she said
Now, 60 to this little hotel and wait till you
hear from 1t won't be long"
Mona. meantime had thoroughly enjoyed h"r
ride with Gerry. Almost from the first. Gerry
had been disposed to he more friendly than it is
necessary for architect to he with his cIcnt
hut Mona had had difficulty in keeping him
at arms length. She had adopted the simplest
Of all wOman'S pvpedients she had simply pre-
tended not to understand the significance and the
real mean o. Of his advances
And so the enslavement Of Gerry was begun.
Il went on apace. Before long the state Of his
feelings toward Mona no longer a secret. lie
to tO wi her R1t
pretended a hliSsfuI unconsciousncss, and Gerry
TERRY the hrarthreaEer. the squire of danes
was actually afraid of her! He afraid 70
Imt his fate to the test Sometimes. il seemed TO
him. Mona liked him immensely. But there were
other times when she cold and distant. and
he was never which Mona would greet him
when he came. with the fast-growing port folio
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. If she in when
lie came she always stayed in her own room: II
she was out. she looked up at the window when
She neared the house. II Gerry calling. Mona
always arranged signal and Mary. seeing it.
would turn and walk for an hour so, to give
Gerry time to leave.
1T seems a shame almost-he's so easv,"
said Mary.
Il hate him-and it may nc easy for YOU.
but it isn't for me-" said Mona. Hes always
trying 10 make love to me, And IL wouIdn't
marry him il he the only man on earth"
"YOu certainly would not, my dear" said
Marry ard marry him first :"
"tIl joking aside. though" said Mona. 81
think its time to put your plan into execution.
Jack Drering knows his part thoroughly. And I
think Gerry is as ripe for pluckng he
ever will l'."
ave been thinking that myself. Mona. Sup
Io~" You let hn' take YOU to lunch tomorrow.
He asked you didn't hc?"
Yes and said I'd telephone TO him in the
morning
"\n right. Toll MIN to make it the San
Marco at one "cI"ck. III be therc-and You can
notice me. after You get comfortably settled at
Your own table. You know what to do? We've
Tche1rsed il often pnOugh'
Half past twele!" said Mona, after mo-