Las Vegas optic., 1914-09-04
FATE &c &c
SHAPES THINGS
By
Edward
Garlic
Lhsey

mol No! He is brute-a beast
"a devil. He has made me suffer
every ignominy conceivable. In pub
lie he pays me no more heed than he
would dog, and takes cruel delight In
saying cutting things to me before
people But for these caustic speeches,
he ignores me- In private it Is worse.
He uses foul and insulting language.
twits me with my beggared condition
before he married me; and last night
last night-he struck me! oh, Eric,
Eric! Here-look-I will show you!
Here is where his fist fell"
With uncertain fingers she unlocked
a gold pin at her throat, and drew
the drapery away toward her shoulder.
On her white skin, some three inches
from the base of her neck, were four
purplish spots, each about the size OF
a quarter.
When Doctor Surge's eyes rested up
on these he rose to his feet and drew
a deep breath. Within him all the
devils which ever inhabited mans
breast-be he barbarian or civilized
were loosed. AS for that, man never
ceases to be a barbarian.
Eric Surge rose from the side OF the
woman he loved cave-man, nothing
more or less. The sane, reasoning
brain which had made him good ply
sician was gone; the soul which had
made him love his fellow creatures
and strive for their healing and COM
| fort was reduced to an atomy.
She felt the change In him; she dis
cerned that, for the moment, bllnd
wrath held absolute control over his
mind, and strange feeling of blissful
exultation swept over her.
What is this, madam
Trevanon stood not five feet away.
He addressed his wife in cold, cutting
tones. His suspicious mind had led
him to seek her in slippers, which
made his approach noiseless.
He was a square-set rather heavy
man, with big head and protruding
lower Jaw. He paid no heed to the
tall rigid form of Doctor Surge.
She made no answer, but mutely
turned her face up to the man beside
her
What shameless business is this?'
resumed Trevanon, and his hard voice
rang with gloating intonation rs
this the way you seek fresh air,
you"
His last word was base, and was
hissed out vindictively.
The cave-man took two forward
steps, and interposed his body between
the mute figure of the woman and the
low being who faced her.
He had thrown off his coat. He did
not speak, but kind of rasping growl
came from his throat; he seemed to
diminish in stature as head and shoui
ders drew closer together, and he ap,
peared to concentrate his whole form
into one knot of savage rage.
Thus, bending his body forward, he
began to approach Trevanon, who had
fallen back few steps when the doe
tor came forward.
Trevanon might have called, or run,
but he did neither. He, too, thought
that he was angered; but his feelings
we're as a sheltered pool to storm
tortured ocean. But he decided to
fight, and, silently assuming de-
fensive attitude, awaited the attack.
A second more the ships doctor had
him in his grip. Straight through
guard and blows marched the cave
man. and flung his long arms round
Trevanon's shoulders. crushing his
arms to his sides. AS he felt that aw-
full hug growing tighter and tighter
| Trevanon knew that demon had him,
and that it was the demons wish and
| will to kill him He must fight, and
fight hard, If he wanted to live.
Fear gave him a momentary might
and he wrested one arm free of the
constructing band, and struck with his
fist at the contorted. frozen face OF this
strange animal which held him.
Through the others dull mind fiich
cred the thought that this fist hal
| made those marks which had turned
him mad. Trevanon was being bornt
steadily backward toward the ship:
rail--toward the measureless profund
ity beyond it-toward death,
4 A second spasm of strength came tt
him, and he strove to drag the terror
, to the deck. He let all his heav!
weight sag, and pulled downward Fo
time each was on his knees, writhinl
silently like bulldogs which have
, locked.
The woman leaned slightly forward
her eyes stretched and strained, hel
lips barely parted-wonder. exaltatioI
and horror blending curiously upon
her face.
Now they we're up again, nearer the
rail- Even when they we're down that
inexorable force had come closer to its
will. Not a word had been spoken be
tween them. Trevanon heard the wash
of the water against the side Of the
liner; It was a sinister sound
He tried to twist about, away from
the depths he was so near.
The cave-man had at last found the
hold he wanted-the hold which GEN.