Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1916-12-09

| of ill-luck or all Indt nhu Uelailoh 4Aoi
tel She was a high-strung, ill-disci-
| nIined girl who had come to New
| York TO study art. and in whom the
artistic temperament crowded out any
natural common sense she may have
had
She had fallen in love with the good
looking Martel at sight. and had de-
rberately set out to make him pro-
nose TO her Knowing Elsies hyster1-
cal devotion for him. Martel dreaded
10 tell her Of the Job that would entail
a half-year's absence from her; even
thought it might lead to an earlier
marriage than his former prospects
| had warranted.
But the news must be broken to
her soon or late. So. finishing his
rather meager packing, and having
an hour or so to spare before meeting
Leonard at Dorley's restaurant, he
made up his mind to have the ordeal
over with, and to tell his tidings and
say good-by at the same time.
Accordingly. somewhat late in the
! evening. he left his own lodgings and,
| suitcase In hand. set forth for the
studio street in which Elsie Drayton
| lodged. Elsie's tiny apartment was In
/ ramshackle building devoted to
| cheap ateliers and presided over by
an ugly and orderly janitress, Mrs.
Wigs by name.
Mrs. Wigs, from her own quarters
at the end OF the hall. heard Martel's
| footsteps on the stairs and peered out.
| Seeing Edwin halt at Elsie's door she
nodded and returned 10 her room.
Elsie, recognizing the knock. came
running to the door TO admit her
lover.
"Oh. I'm so glad-sO glad to see
you," she greeted him. I've been
crying my eyes out because was
afraid you were going to let New
Years Eve go by without coming to
zee me- Why. Ed. you look as If
you'd lost your best friend. WHAT'S
the matter. dear?"
I'm at the end of my resources
he began. you know that. I'm out
OF work and with no chance to get
fob that will pay me e marrying sal
ary."
But"
But have an offer" he hurried on.
AN offer that will mean everything
to me-to both of u.s.
AN offer? You mean an offer OF
job? Isn't that splendid? Tell me
about it."
John Leonard has offered me a
splendid salary and a chance for big
advance-if I'll Join his expedition to
Brazil"
ITO Brazil?" she gasped.
Yes. We sail at o'clock tenor
row morning. With luck We ought to
be back here in six months or so.
And"
You shan't co." she sobbed hysteri-
cally. You shan't do it! You asked
me TO marry you. You made me love-
And now you want to desert mel"
Don't be so absurd" he command
ed, his nerves raw. You talk as If
were trying TO get rid of you instead
Of"
And so you--are, You are"
fnstead Of going into exile and
peril and hardship for your sakei
! came here to be strengthened and |
cheered for my journey. And instead !
you are taking the heart all out of
me. Don't send me away with the !
memory of a face all blotched with |
tears!"
I'm not going to send you away |
at ALL" shrilled Elsie her high voice |
pitched almost in a scream I'm not |
going to let you leave me. You prom !
Used TO marry me. And now you want |
to desert me. I'm going to hold you |
to your solemn promise, Ed Martel."
Mrs. Wigs, in her cubbyhole room |
at the far end OF the hall, paused in |
her preparations for bed as the sound |
of the fearful, angry voice reached her. |
The old janitress had few amuse- |
ments in life. The overhearing of a |
lovers quarrel held out chances of !
an interesting five minutes.
Mrs Wigs kicked off her tapping
SllpDtIS, Optlltu HeT uOOT SOILly, and |
padded. pussy-footed. down the hall
toward Elsie's apartment. Mrs. Wigs
could hear the voices of the two lovers
in angry dispute; but she could catch
none of Martel's words and aggravat-
ingly few of Elsie's.
There is no use in keeping this up
any longer" said Martel. Wen both
say what well be sorry for. And |
don't waht my absence to be marred
by ugly memories like that"
He picked up the suitcase. The
frantic girl suddenly lost the last atom
of her shaky self-control Flying at
him. she seized the suitcase and tried
to tear it away from him.
None too gently he pulled the suit
case away from her.
Don't! Don't! You're killing mel"
Mrs. Wigs. lowering near the kew
hole. caught the words, and she
thrilled with excitement. Apparently
this was no mere quarrel. but a bat
tie
Don't be foolish, DEAR" pleaded
Martel in voice too low to reach he
yond the door You are behaving like
a cranky baby. 1t isn't worthy
grown woman. Get up and stop acting