The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-07-24

Tom Mercer and Janet Gordon. DO,
and girl swestheartA become en-
gagged as they grow older. Tom
work. for Janet. father. Hiram Cor.
president and principal stockhoider
Toms sister, Marian dislikes Janet
and objects to the engagement. Cor
don speoulates with money held by
him In trust and is saved from ruin
and disgrace By Marc Lander. in love
with Janet. Tom goes TO another
town 10 work and while he is away
Janet Is persuaded TO marry Lander
for her fathers sake. Tom seeks sur
motion On q business trip 10 New
York city he calls on. Janet and she
tells him her husband mistreats her
Lancer comes home before Tom
Tom bests Lander. When he leaves
Lander tells his wife 20 get out She
says she will go to Connecticut and
get divorce. Lander threatens &c
TO the Connecticut town in which
Tom lives and with his aid ind:
work. She establishes n residence
and In time sues for divorce. Land
granted the divorce. Janet and Tom
arc married and Tom. receiving q
good offer. moves to New York. IL
from overwork his doctor tells Janet
that he must receive no sudden
er calls and seeing Janet. tells her
that she IL still HIS wife, under the
lawn Her cry OF dismay at this news
brings Tom to her aid.
Forgetful of his recent illness and
OF the doctors warning against
overexertion, Tom responded to the
cry and instinctively rushed forth
For the moment excitement made
him strong and vigorous again.
AS he flung open the front door
and stepped out onto the vera nda
Tom found himself face 10 face
with the ono nan in all the world
whom he least expected t. see-tho
one man OF earth whom he hated.
What are you doing here?" he
demanded harshly.
Janet threw her arms around
Toms neck, weeping Historically
But stirred by the stark horror In
her eyes Tom put her gently aside
and whirled fiercely upon Lander
What have you been saying tc
herr" he questioned, his eyes
ablaze.
IL have been holding a persona,
and private talk with my own faith
less wife" sneered lander, "in spite
OF the presence Of those two brats
We don't want you 10 interrupt our
loving chat. So L"
Toms fist. driven with the force
OF sudden anger gust, stopped the
slurring words by landing heavily
against the speakers mouth.
Lander, running in, grappled.
Up and down the veranda they
swaycd and reeled in taeir primer.
dial battle,
Lander fought with the accumu-
lated and fermenting hate Of years
But his life had not been of the
sort that fits one for sustained effor
Long and steady dissipation present.
ly began to take their toll OF his
once rugged strength.
Tom. wrenchipg free from his op.
pohOilt . SiAp, ulONt Ills icll ISL
again into Landers face and follow.
ed II with his right.
Under the double impact Lander
was knocked clean off his balance
His big body few backN ard. His
feet sought tardlly for the veranda
floor and clawed In futile effort at
the top step.
Then he hurtled over the edge OF
the veranda, down, and his head
smote sharply against an iron Jar.
diniere on the lawn below. The
metal vessel was cracked by the
force OF the collision. Lander lay
moveless and unconscious on the
lawn.
Tom Mercer made as II to de-
scend the steps toward his fallen
and senseless foe. But. at the same
instant. his features became con-
torted with agony.
He clutched at his heart with
both hands, a groan Of mortal pain
bursting from his white lips.
Janet cried aloud at sight of Tom s
ashen face, and ran TO catch him as
he staggered blindly backward.