Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-08-25

She Saw Him Holding Estelle |
citation with Fleetwood Blair, and this
he played to the limit.
The mining engineer on his return
from Alaska, would, for his own peace
of mind, have gladly avoided any en-
counter with his old sweetheart.
This, however, Kendrick would not
allow. Blair had made more than
good on the Alaska trip and had
shown such a high order Of general
capability that Kendrick had Unstable l
him as his personal advisor and chief
lieutenant. Seeking distraction from
his domestic troubles, the millionaire
had plunged into a gigantic copper
speculation which was, in effect an at
tempt to corner the market, and in
this he leaned heavily upon the clear
vision and valuable counsel OF the
younger man.
Reasoning then that the sight OF
Blair's success and prestige would be
gall and wormwood to Ruth, he had
never rested happily until he had
brought them into contact, managing
one day by ruse to have them meet
in his Office.
Both Of them withstood the ordeal
unflinchingly.
After that he made it point to
have Blair frequently at the house.
So the situation moved on to its
inevitable denouement. One evening
when Blair was there for dinner Ken
drick proved so persistently offensive
that Ruth in self-defense finally rose
in the middle of some remark he was
launching at her and left the room.
Kendrick caught up with her halt
across one of the big reception rooms
on her way to the stairs, and threw
himself in front of her to bar heI
further progress.
"By God you'll understand that you
can't flout me in front of one Of my
employees" he ordered hoarsely
"You go back to the dining room"
She faced him with reckless def
ance and laughing mockingly at his
commands, tainted him with his in,
ability to master her.
"You bought me" she jeered, I'm
yours, a slave you bid in on the auc-
ton block. And yet you can't man
age me. The thousands Of dollars |
waste for you each year are so much
dead loss. How that must wiring your
SOUL"
Cant manage you, eh?" he snarled,
his lip drawing back from his teeth.
Cant? So that's what you think, Is
it? Well, I'll show you what l can
do I'll show you'll"
His fist suddenly clenched, he saw
red, and in a spasm of blind fury, he
struck at the lovely, haunting face up
raised to him.
She swerved, but not enough to
avoid the entire force of the blow. 1t
sent her Keeling, staggering to the
floor.
Kendrick stared moment at what
he had done; then with muttered
oath flung himself out into the hall,
and catching up his hat and coat
rushed from the house.
Meanwhile Blair at the table had
waited in vain for the return Of one
or the other of them.
Finally he pushed back his chair
and started to take his leave.
AS he passed through the hall, how
ever, he was arrested by sound like
a stifed sob from the reception room
and glancing in through the open door
way, was startled to see his hostess
on her hands and knees on the floor.
She tottered weakly and would have
fallen If Blair had not been in time
to catch her and ease her gently down
upon sofa.
Mrs. Kendricki Ruth" gasped
Blair. What on earth has happened?'
"Re-he struck mel" she explained
brokenly.
Struck your" Blair sprang to his
feet.
Ruth caught at his hand.
"You cannot do anything now" she
said, che has gone away"
Blair turned at her touch, food of
old emotions pouring back upon him,
and fiinging himself down upon his
knees beside her caught her in his
arms.
ooh, my darling!" he groaned.
"Why-why did you ever marry him."
There had never been any chance
for explanations between these two
before; but now that the opportunity
had come and their lips unsealed, 1t
did not take them long to piece out
the conspiracy which had wrecked
their happiness.
AS tbs full import OF the willy game
which her mother and Kendrick had
played broke upon Ruth, she started
up, her face grown vengeful and re-
lsntless.
He shall not 60 unpunished!" she
declared passionately.
She clutched Blair's arm. you
know his business secrets, do you
mott" she questioned. You know the
weak joints in his armor, how he can
be most successfully attacked"