The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-02

shot eyes, a dagger in each hand, the
combatants fought on
Harry Wales sprang between them.
One Of the combatants was Ralph
Abingdon. his daughters husband, the
other was unknown to him. On the
floor, felled by some villains hand,
lay Emily.
What had brought his daughter
there? That morning, as she and her
husband sat at breakfast, Emily had
observed that Ralph Abingdon seemed
troubled by the receipt Of certain
letter.
Anything wrong?" she had asked.
But half an hour later the letter was
followed by it's writer, a strange, I'M
couth individual, who was shown into
the room by Kitty, the maid.
found you at last, old buck"
1t was evident to Mrs. Abingdon
that her husband was by no means
pleased with. the greeting. In fact,
II there was any man In the world
whom Ralph Abingdon at that mo-
ment desired not to see It was his old
pal ToOtal, who had thus intruded him
self. Perhaps Tootal felt the welcome
chilly. He gazed for a moment from
husband to wife.
WAL" he exclaimed, "ain't this
nice of you? Here have been hunt
ing you up all over London, Jack. Not
one OF the old haunts but I looked
right thru. Who would have thought
OF you living here in Claridge street.
Abingdon! Mr.. Abingdon! why,
amt you quite a toff?"
rs this some acquaintance, Ralph p
asked Emily.
While the stranger had been speak
ing she stood helpless, watching her
husbands face. Where was the cour-
teous, the brilliant, the versatile Ralph
Ablngdon?. Where was the chival-
rous, polished gentleman, the soul OF
honor, the devoted husband? A new
look was on his face, an expression
Emily had never seen there before.
II say, Tootal." said Abingdon
come round tomorrow and see me-
Obi" sneered the wretch, "got
company, Jack? Is she from the
| Ga1ety or from the A1hambra?''
II am Mr.. Abingdon's wife, sir,
said Emily, rising from her seat.
For the next half-minute Tootap.
face was study. He had not troubled
to remove his hat; it was perched OF
his head in a rakish manner, his fee
were stuck wide apart, and there ha(
Deen clay pipe in his mouth Whel
he entered the room. When Emil!
rose from her seat and hurled the un
expected news at him. the bit of ella!
| dropped from the rascal's lips, an(
| Tootals mouth screwed itself into
whistle.
What man is this?" asked Emil,
of her husband.
Never heard Of me, my dear?" sal,
Tootal. Sorry I amt got my car,
case. Uncle's sporting it just now
Bless me: Jack, you've done a goo
thing. Amt you goin' to perform
the sarimony Of a perlite hintrodook
shun ?"
mine. Emily"
Wants your husband on pressin
business, my dear. Yes, Jack, com
along"
my husbands name is not Jacl
SIR
"Oh, amt it? And what is he call
ing himself just now?'
Il have always known him as Ralp
Abingdon" said Emily, fixing her eye
suddenly upon the gentleman re
ferred to.
Again Tootal screwed his mout
seemed to whistle-and tipped his hs
a little further on to the back of hi
head. Then he almost doubled VI
a sa big gurgle, beginning somewher
in his boots, gradually developed int
a side-splitting laugh.
"Ralph!" he exclaimed. "Mr. Ralp
Abingdon! That's a good joke!"
Shall I leave the room, dear
asked Emily, who saw that her hu.
band was somewhat put about.
"Never!" cried Tootal. She'll sta
with us, Jack. Come and kiss m
! dear. Why, amt she got facet"
The rogue made a step forward, b,
a glance from Emily stopped him.
Come away out, Jack; there's
, job for u.s." he said, shutting TOWARD
the door.
You are not going with this man
, cried Emily, rushing to her husban
and placing her hand On his arm.
Tootal stood in the doorway. TT
t merry roguery which had been pla.
} ing on his face changed to an EXPIRE
! sion of envy and brutal force.
3 Jack, ole pal" he said, II que
I NO" whispered Emily.
, II must
, And the two men left the house.
Poor Emily was in despair ST.
! could not understand her husban
The sudden appearance Of tn
IllIIl. S1Ao never hlO"I 1nuCIA
l his past, and now a. great fee
v haunted her. Who was this rough IL
truder? Whence had he come
l Whittier was he taking her husband
3 Obeying g. sud- en- impulse, Mrs. Al
ingdon put on her hat and followe
q them. On and on they walked, usua
Q ly down the by-streets. AT length 81
v saw them vanish up a. dark close
t Long Acre. Emily came up to tt
! entrance. The place was dark ar
j squalid. A filthy odor was mao
:. even more filthy by the London 70
q A slatternly woman came out ar
o gazed at the strange lady. Her fe
e were bare; so were her arms UP
8 the elbows. She held a squallir
y child in her hands, the mother herse
e was reeking with gin. Emily pulle
r out her purse and put a sixpense
e the baby's hand. The woms
y grabbed it. slapped the child, al
e fastened to the nearest bar. For
v moment Emily hesitated. Should 81
- s>ive nm her nJIest2 Should She 90 n,