The evening world., 1916-05-06

in her hand she had a violin case.
You're perfect. Mona!" said Mary.
You're Otto-just as I've described
him over and over again! Now-9sS
that wild look into your eyes,"
Mona practised before a mirror. ana
they both laughed at the effect she
produced.
"Will I dor said Mona anxiousiy.
az YOU don't-weh. I've been vary
badly fooled" said Mary. But In
not a bit worried. Go out now and
wait till YOU see him come"
so Mona went out and Mary waited
for Clay's arrival. lie was on TINA
And SO much in awe OF her did he
stand that he was deferential. almost
timid in his manner. when she ad.
mitted him. He did understands
somehow that she was o. n finer sort.
and that II would be easy to frightei
her. SO he had toned down his usual
rough and boisterous way to con-
siderable degree.
IT'S q relief to have Otto 90
away" said Mary with a sigh. "BS
keeps one constantly at concert pitch.
YOU know! His music makes him
most impossible TO live with him
without going mad!"
"A fellow like that has got no right
TO get married." said Clay sympa-
thetically.
"He wanted me TO go with him at
hrst," said Mary. HE threatened me
with all sorts OF things II I even spoke
to a man while he was gone--said
he'd have n way OF finding out"
Don't you believe IT," said Clay.
confidently. But II was only his voice
that was really confident; he looked
around nervously. And suddenly,
Just as he was about TO speak again.
there was loud knock at the door.
They stared at ono another: II waS
repeated with incre asing violence.
IT'S my husband" gasped Mary.
going white. He must have played
a trick on mel
"The doors lockcd-I tried IT,"
whispered Clay. Keep still--he may
think the place y empty and go
The door was lockcd-but from tbs
outside. The two girls had manipu-
lated the lock so as TO deceive Clay.
And now. while Clay and Mary COW.
cred fearfully inside. the pounding ON
the door became more and more VIC.
lent, until at last II gave way. SEEM
ingly before savage assault with the
fire extingusher. but really because
Mona had turned the key. The next
instant. Mona, In the guise Of Otto.
confronted them.
"otto-Otto!" walled Mary. Don't
be angry--Mr. Clay IL an old friend
It's perfectly all right
And Clay. Just as Mary had pre-.
dicted. showed his yellow streak. He
tried to escape from the frail but
furious musician. But Otto snatched
a pistol from the drawer OF a table
and covered him.
"Sit down." he cried In a tense, h,Rb
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 l do. XIII you both? No--thsn
they would kill me. too" Suddenly
wretch" he cried. you are notor-
ious. You-why, YOU even perjured
yourself TO get rid OF your unfortun-
ate wife,"
No" stammered Clay.
viii you lie now-when you facs
DEATH" cried Otto. as II maddcneu.
His eyes lighted up. All have
it!"Ihe cried. 'Sit-write a confess
sion. and put in the proofs OF your
perjury At once-or | will kill YOU"
In vain Clay stormed and protested.
Otto, flourishing the pistol, threat
ened him until he complied.
Good" he said. when Clay had
done. III YOU do not Tomorrow
make reparation to your wife, I will
use this. And now-what will you do
for me-for the woman who was my
wife,"
Mary screamed.
You shall provide for her--now
that YOU have driven us apart" said
Otto. II owe her that much. Write
her check now."
viaI
I'D have done that. anyhow" he
growled. But you're mad. man!
Take her back! She's a good woman"
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 her plans. and not, as Clay
supposed, because OF Otto's return
went with Clay. He drove with her
at once to the nearest restaurant
You need some supper-that will
brace you up" he said. 1T was hard
luck having him play a trick like
that" ~.-l
Go in and get q table, want 10
telephone!" said Mary. distractedly.
And. in the booth. she called Mona,
In a minute she rejoined him. And II
was not long before. to Clay's amaze
''Sh'' N"ohst oVii' III UeT own
clothes, slipped into the vacant chair
beside Mary. Slowly he recognized
in her the mad musician. But before
he could denounce them Mary spoke.
For once you've been beaten Mt
your own camel" she said. "Yon
pretend to be a good sport-proye n
by making things right with your
wife. And, II you don't-remember
that you've given US the evidence thai
will send you to Jail II you make ia
use II! Good night"
They left him. furious. but knowing
that they had outwitted him-that Il
was impossible for him to fight.
end Of the Seventh Enisods,