Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

flCl'URfci AND THE FICTUREGOER 173 knd::;c Nov. 27, i r^M TM A:lait3i f;jn th» Sh!!* Drain By MO-LIE GUYTON D^-A-^CHE, old girl, nuhass we can •D make a d nj haul within forty-eight honra we shall have 1 1 clear out we're broke to the wide ; do you understand? " and without waiting for a reply Richard Savage slammed the door, leaving his wife to ruminate over their unpleasant position. Two of tin,' smartest society crooks in 1 1 country, they had been obliged to lay low for some time to avoid tlje police, who were hot on their trail. During this enforced inactivity their store of stolen ilth had gradually dwindled, and starvation how faced them. When, later in the day, Richard returned he was surprised to find his wife attired in an evening-robe. "' What's the use of moping here?" she asked, in reply to his inquiries. " Let ns do something. Suppose we go along to the 'Riche' and see what's going there? " "Right you are. Blanche, we will," repliedher husband, who, like his wife, fell that they had been in hiding too long, and was ready for anything. " As for money— I don't think it matters," he added wilh a chuckle. Half-an-hour later Mr. and Mrs. Savage were dining at one of New * } ork s fashionable restaurants. At the table next them sat two welldressed men. deep in conversation. I hey heeded not the gay crowd which thronged the restaurant, and Blanche noticing this, listened carefully to their conversation. She heard the first man who seemed anxious to depart, say to his friend," I've written to Mrs Dundor.;. and told her I'm awfully sorry I ''an * go. to the birthdaj reception tomorrow You know I tried to get her on the phone this morning. But she'll u'e| tins letter if we post it before wo board slop. And. taking the letter and some notes from his pocket, he placed t hem. ,n the table. "Beastly nuisance." ''' "rent on '.' 1 wanted to meet Dr. Dundore, as hes interested in an experiment 1 m on a cure for consumption mil this trip overseas has mucked things up a bit. , ."'.'''."'• be helped, old man." replied Ins riend. -Time waits for no man, neither do (he liners, so we must be getting along to the docks." George Gray, the firs! man. railed for the bill. and. having paid the waiter the two friends left the restaurant in a g>'eath,,rry. carelessly leaving the letter and the notes still lying on the table iu a moment Richard Savage snatched them up. '.What luck, 1113 dear Blanche!" he whimpered, soarcelj able to control his l-x. dement. " What a marvellous slice of luck! That letter will hot reach Mrs. Dundore." A minute later Richard and his wife were on their way home, and in the privacy of which .Mrs. Dundore's letter was opened and discussed. "Mr. George Gray. I believer" said Mrs. Dundore as Richud Savage was ushered into her presence. '• Yes." replied the visitor, with all the self-confidence he could muster. " I'm so glad you can come to the reception this evening; you must Bee the. present which my husband gave me this morning," and, with great pri le, Mrs. Dundore unsuspectingly displayed a valuable drop-pearl necklet. An unusual Lustre might have been observed in Richard's eyes, as he tactfully changed the subject, and, after most politely taking leave of Mrs. Dundore, he hastened homeward to tell his wife about the haul which looked like being theirs that very evening. The birthday reception was in full swing — luxuriously-clad women swayed to aud fro to the rythmic beat of the orchestra in the ballroom, where every spare corner was laden with choice flowers. The hostess, looking very beautiful, glided iu and out betw^ei gu ists. anxious that everything was being done for their comfort. "I believe this is my waltz?" Richard Savage, hurrying towards her; " but would you not rather come ai: it out in the rose-garden ? " "It is rather hot here,"~said Mrs, Dundore with a smile, and leaning the arm of her partner, she allowed him to lead her to a seat, away from crowded ballroom. Their conversation was empty, but not so empty that Richard did n how the land lay before him. His hand slowly slid round the back of Mrs. Dundore's neck. and had almost touched! the clasp which secured the necklet, when both were startled by Dr. Dimdore's voice. " Alice, dear," he said, " I've been lo> iking for you everywhere — I am called away to see a patient, aud people are enquiring for you — come along." And in a moment Richard was left alone, his quarry having slipped from his fingers. " Perditiou take the man ! " he mattered] "but I'll have his wife's necklet yet." The dance was over, and the guests had departed. The house was wrapped TUE BIRTHDAY RECEPTION WAS l.N" i'ULL. SWING,