Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-12-19

at the gate. In his wrath he shook ut Il
SO noisily that he failed to hear Blanc's
footstep. and it was something of
shock to him to see the spmbcr figure
looming so closely on him in the dark.
"1lillo"' he said. starting back nerv-
ously.
Good night. Will.' said Blame. pass
ing an arm through one of his with sin
gulnrly firm delibcrateness. Ned's arm
clcnched on his old companions SO firm
ly that Hackctt felt as though he were
In custody. and made a half-urconscious
movement to cxtricate himself. but the
arm which encirclcd his felt like a bar
of iron.
Don't you think. WILL" said Blame.
strcnuously but quietly controlling Hack
ctt's footsteps to the measure of his
own. that you'd better keep those little
cndearments privatc-chI'
oh" cried lIackett. gladly scizing on
the chance this gave him. you've been
cavcsdropping, have you. NedY Come.
now! that doesn't do you any special
credit. does it,
Now I'll warn you" said Blame. with
a curious dryness aud GOODNESS of tone
which very much chilled his involuntary
companion. there's nothing l should so
dearly like at this minute as for you to
give me "a reasonable chance of quar-
rcling with you on my own account. VIII
you take that back. il Won plcaseT'
| WELL" said Hackett. who liked less
and less the iron pressure on his arm.
IL don't recognize your right, you know.
to make any comment on what you hap
pen to overhear between my wife and
me-
"Will you take IL back. u you plcaseT'
Blame asked again. as the other had not
spoken.
Haven't I taken IL backf' TIackett
demanded. 81 said you happened to over
hear. didn't II have taken ii hack"
Every well. And now for any question
again. Don't you think those little en-
dcarments between man and wife are
best kept private? Tell me now"
81 don't see what II has to do with you
at all. Ned. You need not be meddle-
some fellow. Let n man mind his own
concerns. will you"
81 don't see what Il has to do with me,
either" said Blame. The iron grip on
IIackett's arm began to tremblc pefccp
tibly, and while the captive wondered
what this might mean he found himself
suddenly released. but confronted face
to face 81 do see one or two things"
Blame was saying. 81 do see that you've
married one of the best girls In the
world, and that you're rs worthy of her
| as I am to be an angel ! do see that
you bully her and snarl at her. like the
mongrel you are. Business of mine I
You may thank your stars. my lad, that
it's no business of mine, for IL IL were
you'd suffer"
"Now. come. Ned" said Hnckett In m
almost genial and altogether allowing
and friendly way; "you 20 too fast ind
too fur. You do now. really. I'm In
the most abominnblc heap OF trouble
I've had shameful luck lately, and moth
ing seemed to go us II ought to go. Ant
I've had news tonight that enough I,
put any fellow ont of temper"
Go your way" Blame answered. will
something very like II gronn. 1--WE done
with YOU"
II shnn't bear any malice for whats
passed between us. Ned" said Hackett
VERY WE'LL" said the other. "Leus,
said soonest mended.'
"Ned's queer" Thought Hackett e
himself ns he went on his way. He,
very queer. Ilc used to he prowling d
good deal about old llowarth's hous,
himself. Is that it,
SO the one effect Of Ned Blanc's In
reference was that 1t gave Will Hncket
a needle to prick his wife with. aud h
made up his mind to use It,
(ro be continued