The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-22

Ing o lull In the game, he glanced
back over his shoulder at Nuuice and
Bruce, and said rather loudly to his
partner:
at looks as II billiard will be able
to get rid Of his unwelcome wife, aft.
er all-with Kingston's kind help"
Bruce. his eyes ablaze, glanced GOV.
ertly across the table to see II Eunice
had heard the beastly speech. Her
face was scarlet.
This was too'much for Bruce King.
ston. I~mpctuously, he pushed back
his chair. leaped to his feet and
wheeled about OF 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 Cad!eigh
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 a bold front, Cndleigh
grinned. as though in absolute indit.
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 local telegraph Office and
scribbled a dispatch. Sinking with
satisfaction, he read what he had
written:
Duncan billiard, til Blank Avenue,
New York City:
Your wife eIoped tonight with
Kingston. Congratulations.
A FRIEND.
Rush this, please" he said to the
operator.
The telegram reached Duncan Hill.
Hard at midnight. billiard was spend.
Ing the evening at home-a thing he
rarely did, nowadays. And, to keep
him from utter loneliness, a decidedly
gay party had asselbled about him
a party consistil Of several dis.
solute men.about.town and as many
pseudo.chorus girls.
Into this bedlam came a footman
with the telegram. Hilliard tore open
the envelope and read.
Listen here!" he roared to his
guests. waving the 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.
81 wish I could have thrashed Cad.
leigh, as he deserved" Kingston was
saying. as the car drew up at the Hi.
Hard townhouse. "My fists clench
every. time l think of him"
I'm SO glad you didn't strike Lim!"
answered Eunice. you behaved
splendldly. There is no way I "a
thank you for defending ma as you
did. Why, look!" she broke of, point
ing at the house, II wonder what is
the matter. All the f1rst.Aoor shades
are drawn. And the lights are burn.
Ing In every room!"
It'll 60 In there with you, II you
don't mind" he volunteered. "If any
thing 10 amiss, perhaps I can be Of
use."
She thanked him, eagerly, for the
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 q
sofa, sprawled Duncan Hilliard.
"Duncan!" cried Eunice.
Hilliard, at sound Of his name,
looked up and saw her standing be-
fore him.
Get the blazes out Of here!" he
croaked, forcing the words with din.
Guilty through his dry throat. What
are you doing here, anyhow You
sloped with Kingston. didn't you?
Stay eloped."
"Eloped?" echoed his wife, dunn.
founded.
"oh, I'm on. all right" he growled.
Don't try any OF your tholierthan.
thou ways on me. It's too late for
that I know what you are. And I'm
going to tell you. You're"
zone moment, Mr. Hilliard,r quietly
interposed Bruce. stepping forward to
Eunice's side. you say you are 60
ing to tell Mrs. billiard what she Is.
II you tell her she is anything but the
best and truest wife q drunken u Of
a husband ever had-why. I'm going
to tell you you lie. And then I'm go
ing to smash the words down your fat
throat, along with your teeth"
You're young Kingston, aren't
you1" he growled. 81 remember now,
I met you once You're the man that's
STOLEN my wife from me. oh! Well,
take her. Good radiance! She'll be
leaving you, next, for"