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

Abingdon That's a good joker
shall 1 leave the room. dear?' asked
Emily, who saw that her husband was
somewhat put about.
Never" cried Tootal. She'll stay with
us, Jack. Come and kiss me, dear. Why,
amt she got a facet
The rogue made a step forward, but
glance from Emily stopped him.
Come away out, Jack, there's a job for
u.s." he said, shutting towards the door.
"You are not going with this mann" cried
Emily, rushing to her husband and placing
her hand on his arm.
Tootal stood in the doorway. The merry
roguery whica had been playing on his
face changed to an expression of envy and
brutal force.
Jack, old PAL" he said, ST guess you'n
Gomez"
"No." whispered Emily.
II must"
And the two men left the house.
Poor Emily was in despair. She could
not understand her husband. The sudden
appearance of this stranger had altogether
transformed him. She had never known
much Of his past. and now a great fear
haunted her. Who was this rough in
truder? Whence had he come? Whittier
was he taking her husband? Obeying a sud-
den impulse, Mrs. Abingdon put on her hat
and followed them. On and on they walked,
usually down the by-streets. At length
she saw them vanish up a dark close in
Long Acre. Emily came up to the entrance.
The place was dark and squalid. A filthy
odor was made even more filthy by the
London fog. A slatternly woman came out
and gazed at the strange lady. Her feet
were bare; so were her arms up to the
elbows. She held squalling child in her
hands; the mother herself was reeking
with gin. Emily pulled out her purse and
put a sixpence in the baby's hand The
woman grabbed 1t, slapped the child, and
FASTENED to the nearest bar. For moment
Emily hesitated. Should she give up her
quest? Should she go on? A higher hand
seemed to be leading her. Once more obey
ing impulse, she assembled the creaky stair.
Up to the first fiat, up to the second; on
the third floor she heard Totals voice. 1t
was raised in anger. Emily paused at the
door of a front room. Was her husband
there? Was he the object of Tootals
wrath? What could a woman do?
Its falser' cried Tootal, furiously.
Turn over a new leaf? All rot, It's this
girl who's come around you, Jack, and
you've got to drop her. Think we're going
to lose a pal like you? Not by a joyful"
81 tell you, Tootal. IL can't be done. She's
my lawful wife, and a jolly good one, too.
I've been a better man since I knew her.
and the old set shan't know me any more"
1.-THE oathr' cried Tootal. what was
the oath. mate? Nothing but death should
~ a. haau m
together, Jack. my boy. S'pose you'd like
TO peach?'
"You know I'm not that Sort" said Abing-
don.
'I'n hold you to the OATH" cried Too
tai Nothing but death shall part us.
Well leave this room as pals, or you never
leave 1t again, Jack"
The door was closed with slam. Tootal
had thrown of his coat and drawn a long
knife from his belt. He placed hts back
to the panel.
NOW" he shouted (which Is II to be,
mate-pals the knife?'
Emily heard the words. Pushing with all
her might. she forced the door open and
confronted the two men.
Ralph" she entreated, at am true to
you. You will never go back. Have nothing
to do with this man."
"Oh, OH" roared Tootal, and before
Abingdon could interfere he had felled the
young wife to the ground. closed the door,
and once more confronted his confederate.
There was a brutal expression on his face.
pals, or the knife!" he cried again.
Not another word was spoken. Emily
lay senseless on the floor. Both men strip
ped to the waist and the conflict began.
Fire burst forth from the fat below; they