The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-10-12

back over his shoulder at Eunice and
Bruce, and said rather loudly to his
partner:
1T looks as IL billiard win be able
to get rid OF his unwelcome wife, aft
er all-with Kingston's kind help"
Bruce, his eyes ahl.Ze, glanced GOV
ertly across the table to see IL Eunice
had heard the beastly speech. Her
face was scarlet.
This was too much for Bruce King
ston. Impetuously, he pushed back
his chair, leaped to his feet and
wheeled about on Cadleigh. The lat
ter, frightened by the fierce menace
in Bruce's look and action, also rose.
The two men faced each other. In
a hot whisper, audible to Cadleigh
alone, Bruce said:
You have your choice. You will
leave this house within five minutes,
or you will take a public thrashing."
To put on q bold front, Cadleigh
grinned, as though in absolute indif-
ference. Then, as Kingston took a
quick step forward. the other turned
on heel and walked over to his hos
tess.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Hooper," he said.
but I've Just had a phone message
that calls me back to town. Forgive
me for hurrying away like this."
On his way to the train, writhing
over his humiliation. Cadleigh stopped
at the LEGAL telegraph ONCE and
scribtled q dispatch. Sinking with
satisfaction, he read what he had
written:
Duncan HiiIisrd, TIT Blank Avenue,
Now York City:
Your wlfe eloped tonight with
Kingston. Congratulations.
A FRIEND.
Rush this, please" he said to tho
operator.
The telegram reached Duncan Hill
lard at midnight. Hilliard was spend
ing the evening at home-a thing he
rarely did, nowadays. And, to keep
him from utter loneliness, q decidedly
gay party had assembled about him
- paiby SIilDASliuk vi CFCLa ulp
solute men-about-town and as many
pseudo-chorus girls.
Into this bedlam came a footman
with tho telegram. billiard tore open
the envelope and read.
Listen here!" no roared to his
guests, waving tho yellow slip Of pa
per above his head. Just listen to
this: A dear old friend OF mine sends
me the good news that my wife's
eloped with a beggarly writing chap
named Kingston! -Hurroo!"
After the unpleasant interruption to
the party at Mrs. Hooper's. Eunice
started for home in her motor car.
AS Bruce was also returning to the
city, she offered him q lift which he
gladly accepted.
II wish l could have thrashed Cad
leigh, as he deserved" Kingston was
saying, as the car drew up At the Hill
lizard townhouse. my fists clench
every time I think OF him"
I'm SO glad you didn't strike Linn"
answered Eunice. "You behaved
splendidly. There is no way I can
thank you for defending me as you
did. Why, look!" she broke on, point
ing Mt the house, Il wonder what is
the matter. All The frst-noor shades
are drawn. And The lights are burn
ing in every room!"
"Ill 20 in there with you, II you
don't mind" he volunteered. eff any
thing is amiss, perhaps ! can be OF
USE"
She thanked him. eagerly, for tho
offer, and together they entered the
house.
Several Of the nights jewellers lay
sleeping on the floor or in chairs.
One or two men were awake: yawn-
ing and grunting. On the edge of a
sofa, sprawled Duncan billiard.
"Duncani" cried Eunice.
billiard, ut sound of his name,
looked up and say her standing be-
fore him.
Get the blazes out of here!" he
croaked. forcing the words with Diff
Guilty through his dry throat. What
IRE you doing here. anyhow? You
sloped with Kingston. didn't you!
Stay eloped."
"Eioped?" echoed his wife. dunn
founded.
"Oh. I'm on. all right" he growled.
Don't try any OF your fhoiier-than-
thou ways on me. It's too late for
that. / know what you arc. And I'm
going to tell you. YOU'RE
"One moment. Nj. Hilliard.s quietly
i~nterposed Bruce. stepping forward TO
Eunice's side. you say you are 60
ing TO tell Hrs. billiard what she II.
n you tell her she ID anything but the
best and truest wife . drunken u a
. husband evsr had-why. I'm going
20 ten yoa you lie. And then I'm 90
ing 70 snasA the words down your fat
throat. aloag with ysur teeth"
You're young Kingston. arsaf
youY" he Uowled. II remember now,
I met you once. You're the al thats
stolen NJ wife fron ne. chr Wen.
take her. Good riddancsi Shell b
leaving you. next, for.
~r'W warned you onee." cut h