The Washington herald., 1916-06-25

tels words and aggravatingly FEW or
ElsIe's
There is no use in keeping this up
any longer" said Martel. 1--WE both say
what Wen be sorry for. And don't want
my absence to be marred by ugly men,
ories like that. Since you won't under
stand that I'm not a cur and deserting
you, I'll go now. I've barely time to
meet Leonard at Dorley's. as it is. I'm
due there in five minutes. I've over
stayed my limit here. I'm sorry it's
been such a scene as this. Good-by.
Elsie. Try to think as kindly of me as
you cam"
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 1t
away from him.
None too gently he pulled the suitcase
away from her. She lost her balance,
slipped on the polished floor and fell at
full length. He sprang TO lift her to her
feet. but the half-crazed girl thrust him
from her, shrieking:
Don't! Don't! You're killing me-"
Mrs. Wigs, lowering near the key
hole caught the words, and she thrilled
with excitement. Apparently this was
no mere quarrel. but a battle
Don't be foolish, dear" pleaded Mar
tel in a voice too low to reach beyond
the door. You are behaving like a
cranky baby. 1t isn't worthy a grown
woman. Get up and stop acting So"
Somewhat roughly he drew her to her
feet; then turned to go. With cry she
flung herself upon the suitcase. AS he
tugged to get it away from her the
atch slipped.
The bag flew open and its contents
were scattered broadcast. Collars, shirts.
underclotheH brushes neCkties and coats
strewed the floor. At Martel's feet tum-
bled a revolver that had been rolled up
in his sweater at the bottom of the case.
Elsie caught sight of the fallen weapon.
Before Martel could stoop she had seized
it and was brandishing it above her
head.
IF you don't promise not to desert
me" she began.
Drop that thing. you little idiot" he
growled, catching her wrist in both hands
and, by a quick wrench, disarmIng her.
"Heroics and Mysteries don't mix well
with firearms. 1t serves me right for
packing that pistol at all. would have
left it behind, but my father gave 1t to
me and had my name carved on the
butt. / don't believe in carrying weapons.
And when a daffy girl gets hold of
them"
He finished the sentence with an ex-
pTessive gesture OF the hand that held
the revolver Elsie Observation-Disclosures af-
fected to misunderstanding movement.
And she screamed:
Shoot me. then! Go ahead and shoot
me. I've nothing to live for now"
This amt just a scrap" unused Mrs.
Wigs. catching the shril words. It's
beginning to-look like murder The land
lord will give Ele blazes il I let folks
kill each other here
Martcl dropped the pistol into the sid,
pocket Of his coat II was an old coat
one he had donncd for shlpboard wear.
And the pocket into which he thrust the
revolver was a pocket into which he
had once inadvertently dropped a lighted
cigarette. Almost the entire bottom of It
was burned out.
The pistol therefore slipped through and
fell again to the floor. But this time it
landed atop a cheap little fur rug whose
thickness deadcned the fall. so that it
was unheard by Martel through the
clamor of EIscs raging voice
Shoot me-" she was sobb!ng I'D
rather die than live. I swear l won't
i've Il YOU leave me, I swear it,
The man looked hopelessly at the
quivering girl Then his rowing glance
fell upon a table clock. The hands point
ed to n:3A-the very hour and minute he
was due to meet Leonard at Dorley's
restaurant, a full ten minutes walk dis
tant.
IF I don't get there on time" he NUT
tered. 'he may think I'm not coming and
sail without me. l haven't a second to
LOSE
He caught up the suitcase and started
heastily to repaCk 1t. But Elsie sprang
at him again and twined her fingers in
the cases handle; so that nothing short
Of painful force could loosen her grasp.
Let go!" he pleaded. "Oh, don't be
such a baby"
"I won't let go" she painted. dizzy
with the strain of her emotions. 81
wont, let you 60, either, /"
Martel gave another despairng look
at the clock. Then releasing his hold
on the suitcase he bolted from the apart
ment before Elsie could stop him Or so
much as guess his intent.
Elsie took a staggering step or two in
pursuit. But her knees collapsed under
her. Her overwrought brain gave way.
She slumped to the floor in a dead faint.
Mrs. Wigs, in dread lest the entertain
ing quarrel should degenerate into a kill
Ing, had started toward her own room
to put on her slippers and go forth thence
to summon aid. Thus she wholly missed
Martels departure. Presently, returning
to Elsie's door, slippers in hand, she
listened again. Hearing no sound at all
above the New Years Eve din in the
streets, Sc decided the quarrel had been
patched up. So she tiptoed back to her
own room and noce more prepared to go
to bed.
John Leonard. at a corner table in
Dorleys, looked at his watch for the
tenth time. Martel was already II min
utes late for the appointment
Eleven fortv-onc!" he murmured IF
this is a sample of Martel's efficiency I
might better have picked out another
assistant He"
Through the crowd of guests Edwin
Martel thrust his way to Leonard's ta-
BILE.
I'm sorry to be so late" he apologized,
breathing heavily as If from hard run.
Il was detained. I went to say good-by
to the girl I'm engaged to. She didn't
want me to go. And"
You're a lucky man." commented
Leonard bitterly. THE girl I'm engaged
to was perfectly willing to have me 60
Indeed she hinted that she doesn't care
If she never sees me again"
Hard luck" sympathized Martel.
But at that, it's better than having
sne's sweetheart threaten to kill herself
because one is going away
Did your sweetheart do that?" asked
Leonard in wonder. Lord, but envy
you! Mine practically turned me out of
her house and threw my ring at me- You