The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-29

treating glance towards her husband.
"'Fraid it's impossible, Tootal." said
Abingdon.
He was wounded: he dared not quarrel
with his confederate.
What mani / thought we'd settled 1T.
could have stuck you like a pig to-day.
Come, let's be pals"
Tootal was exaggerating. Ralph Abing-
don had held his own in the sanguinary con-
flict. He was not going to yield now.
"No." he said, rising, Its all up between
US, Bob. / have chosen my way, and If
you don't like 1t you've got to go your own
I'm not the man to peach, but I've got
wife now. won't be forced away from
her."
Forced This will force you
A magnificent candelabra stood on the
table. Twelve candles burnt in 1t. Graspng
| the silver stand in his left hand, Tootal adj
vanced to the rich silk curtains which
hung at the window.
Now, jack he cried, you know me and
know you. This woman has come be-
| tween You've got to give her UP.
Shake hands on 1t, or / fire the house."
mo you don'tr' cried voice.
| There was a crash, the window was shiv-
cred to pieces, and Frank Goodall leaped
| into the room.
| "villain!" he roared. II find you here
again"
| Tootal staggered back from the window.
For a moment he felt cowed; then, as he
| glanced from the two men to the woman
trembling in the background, he OWNED
how matters stood, and saw his chance of
| double vengeance.
Look here, Jack" he said to Emily's
husband, this fellow loves your wife,
| Nonsense exclaimed Ralph Abingdon.
| Then what does he mean by standing
outside her Window"
| All eyes were turned on the young fire.
/ man. Frank Goodan looked to the floor.
He was not a man Of quick device. Honest
| and true, his strength lay in action. Could
he speak the words that rose to his lips?
| No. Emily had chosen another. He must
be silent.
| Tootal was master Of the situation.
| 49," he sneered advancing to the table.
1.-TWO men and one woman, Ell? pretty
state of things, Mr.. Ralph Abingdon"
"Dogw exclaimed her husband.
| Tootal sat down the candelabra slowly,
and drew revolver from his pocket.
1T strikes me- he said, coolly, there's
| only one way out Of this mess, Jack. You
both love the grl-which of you is going
| to kill himself?''
| Emily clutched her husbands arm.
| "Come, Mr.. Fireman." sneered the rogue.
| "Are you man enough to pull the trigger for
| her sake?"
| Frank Goodall raised his eyes. YES" he
| answered, advancing to the table.
"Stop!" shouted Abingdon, rushing for
ward. "You shall not do this, Goodall. 1t
Is I who have brought this stain upon her
| life. But I loved her-yes, I loved her, for
she saved me from the past"
"And she will save you now!''
| 1t was Emily who spoke. Sweeping
across the room, she confronted the three
men with blazing eyes. All weakness was
past. Her woman's heart was reused.
"Are you mad, both of your" she cried.
| Frank Goodall, we have known each
other since childhood. Have you lost your
| senses? Open that door, and hand this
rascal to tho police! And Ralph-husband
= Great heavens."
| For there was a report, a sudden cry,
| and Abingdon fell to the floor. Tootal had
| shot him through the heart.
''Villain!" shouted Frank Goodall, spring.
/ ing across the table
Too late! The murderer had seized the
| candelabra and set the silk curtains on
/ fire. In a moment the room was in flame.
| Tootal sprang to the window intending to
| leap into the street. The wretch gave a
| Shrek as Frank pinned him by the neck
| and dragged him back into the burning
| room. The place was full of smoke, the
| flames burst Though the ceiling, and pene-
trated the fiat above. The two men strug-
/ gled together, their clothing was torn,
| chairs and tables were overturned. There
| was loud crash, as they fell in one heap
upon the floor, Emily was kneeling by her
| husband.
Ralph" she shrieked. "Oh, Ralph, have
they killed your?
A crowd gathered in the street An
| alarm was raised. the Charing Cross 'divi-
| sion of the fire brigade came dashing up
| Followed by twelve stout comrades the boss
pushed open the dining room door. The
room was full Of smoke; he could see moth
ing.
"Herew cried q faint voice from the
window.
The rescuers dashed forward, but even
| as they did so Old Wales stumbled across
the body of Emily's husband. Lifting him
| In his arms, he bore him out, followed by
his daughter.
Here, lass" he cried, laying him down.
Here he is, Emily
Ralph she cried, kneelng beside him.
Her tears fell ON his face. But doctor
| pushed through the crowd.
stand back" he said. ''let me see him."
''Oh, he's all right" said the boss, not
knowing that his son-in-law was dead.
They're husband and wife,"
"Ahv said the doctor.
His practiced eye had told him the truth
In an instant Tearing open the dead mans
shirt he found the place through which the
bullet had passed.
What" exclaimed Old Wales, suddenly.
Bending down, he placed his finger upon a
mark on Abingdon's breast. "Why, if this
amt that boy, Jack Broadhurst! Jack,
lad?" But he spoke to deaf ears.
I'm afraid he's Dead" said the doctor.
"Dead?" shrieked Emily, as she fell upon
the body Of the man she loved.
The crowd raised their hats.
'Dead?" said Frank Goodall, coming to
her side. Tootal had been handed over
to the police.
| "No" said Old Wales brushing tear