The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-29


as We Can on the Cash We've 0otlw
prevented her from hearing q ring
at the front door bell on tho floor be-.
low and the opening and closing ofIthe
door. .H
"Take the checki. she insisted.
'And give me back my certiilcatesl,.s
Halsey Brent was known in Wall
street as q man who never lost hia
head and who could not DO staggered
by any sudden emergency. ''''
"1'll gladly give you back the stock.
little girl" he said. pleasantly. ~ be 4
drew the sheaf Of certificates from hil
pocket. "But-nrst, you've gotto earn
them" ,3.
Earn them," she echoed. psr
picked. ~,
yes. You must promise % make
me gloriously happy By marrying me,
Just as soon as We get i'd Of Carter
for you. Do that and the stock IL
yours for the asking"
He drew near to her as he spoke
Before the Mortified gil could guqsd
his intent, he had caught her IA hiss
arms. K -,.-
"Just ono kiss, to seal the PROMISE
he begged. and" ~ 81
let me go! You fbrutei Let ms
go!" cried Leila, struggling IN vain \,
free herself. s.;... ~, ~,
mot till I get the kiss!s iauyhn4s
Brent. "Then I-ss " saolit
His clasped arms fell from about
her shrinking body and he rse1ed
back-under the! thud OF Q smaahina
blow in the mouth. .rl,.s
Tom Carter, his tanned face distort
ed with fury. had leaped into the room
and without word had attached his
wite's insulter. ~
Leila screamed at sight Of the rage
possessed man. But before she could
intervene Carter and Brent were close
locked in death grappIe.
BY a series OF sayagely.dealt short
arm blows Tom at last drove his fos
before him toward the hallway door.
Brent strove in vain 20 hold his own
against the husbands terrific on.
slaught and 70 block or dodge tha
blows that We're showered upon hi
face and body. W,
But even IN his extremity Hrenfs
willy brain was at work. He remem,
bered that the steep flight Of stsira
from the front hall ended almost at
the living room door.
SO. even as he Bwaged the unequal
battle against the stronger man. Brent
contrived to back directly coward thu
door and thence out into tho upper
hall close pressed By The victorious
Tom. i'N'.'
Once on the landing Brent changed
his tactics. Wheeling he 70 manou,
vered as to bring Toms back 10 TIL
stairway just behind him. ThgN
gathering all his failing powers. 81
ceased to retreat and charged his an
tagonist. A single backward STOP
would now bring Tom'slfeet over thd
edge Of the tight iS h
Leila, keeping as close 10 them q
the Keeling bodies and failing arrnd
would permit, saw her husbahd's sud
den peril. 4.
Toni" abe shrislted, sprineng 10
his side, Look outi Tho Btniro nrS
iust behind ,you.s - 4
Carter heard. Instinctively. On the
very edge Of the stairtop. he oide-
stepped, GLIDING Brent's ruah. !,
But Leila was not 90 fortunate. Be.
fore she could spring aside tho full
force Of Brent,s forward-nung body
struck her,
Lifted clean on her feet By the I'M
pact she was hurled backward. ri
Down the steep stairs rolled fhi'
helpless white figure, striking hezyily
asainst tho newelspost ct tho bottom
Of the flight, and then lying strangely
still IN o ddled heap on The polished
floor Of tho hallway. z
"Ehe-she 10 stunnedi" muttoref
Brent, incoherently.
But Tom Carter knew better. ri
had looked on death before NOM
Kneeling beside the pihfulIy inod
form and gazing down into the lie
Lass facs he grpaned IN dun horrori
mo. She q deadir '''s's
tEsp OF FIFTH syoRy9 "