The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-11-09

John Leonard has offered me q
splendid salary and a chance for big
advance-if I'll Join his expedition to
Brazil"
ITO Brazil?" she gasped.
Eyes. We sail at 2 O'clock tomor-
row morning. With luck we ought to
be back here In six months or so.
And"
you shan't co." she sobbed hysteri-
cally. You shan't do It! You asked
me to marry you. You made me love.
And o you want to desert mel"
Don't be so absurd" he command
ed, his nerves raw. You talk as II
I were trying to get rid of you instead
Of
And SO you are! You are"
Instead Of going into exile and
peril and hardship for your sake!
came here to be strengthened and
cheered for my Journey. And instead
you are taking the heart all out of
me Don't send me away with the
memory of q face all blotched with
tears!"
I'm not going to send you away
at ALL" shrilled Elsie, her high voice
pitched almost in a scream. I'm not
going to let you leave me. You prom
ised TO marry me. And now you want
to desert me. I'm going to hold you
TO your solemn promise, Ed Martel."
Mrs. Wigs, in her cubbyhole room
at the far end OF the hall, paused in
her preparations for bed as the sound
OF the fearful, angry voice reached her.
Mrs. Wigs kicked off her tapping
slippers, opened her door softly, and
padded, p~ussy-footed, down the hall
toward Elsie's apartment. Mrs. Wigs
could hear the voices Of the two lovers
in angry dispute; but she could catch
none of Martel's words and aggravat-
ingly few OF Elsie's.
Mrs. Wigs could hear the voices Of
the two lovers in angry dispute; but
she could catch one OF Martel's words
and aggravatingly few of Elsie's.
There Is no use In keeping this up
any longer" said Martel. Wen both
say what we'll be sorry for. And 1
don't want my absence to be married
by ugly memories like that"
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 It away from him
None too gently he pulled tho suit
case away from her.
Don't! Don't! You're killing met"
Mrs. Wigs. lowering near the key
hole, caught the words, and she
thrilled with excitement. Apparently
this was no nero quarrel, but . bat
tie.
Don't be foolish, dear" pleaded
Martel in . voice too low to reach be-
yond tho door. You are behaving like
q cranky baby. II isn't worthy q
grown woman. Get up and stop acting
So"
Somewhat roughly he drew her to
her feet; then turned to 90. With o
cry she nung herself upon the suit
case As he tugged to get 1t away
from her the catch slipped.
The bag Jew open and It's contents
were scattered broadcast. Collars,
shirts. underclothes. brushes, neckties
and coats strewed the floor. At Mar
tells feet tumbled 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 a .brandishing it
above her head.
Ell 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.
Shoot me. then! Go ahead and
shoot me. rye nothing TO live for
now"
This amt Just a scrap" unused Mrs.
Wigs, catching the shrill words. TITS
beginning to look like murder. The
landlord win give me blazes II I let
folks kill each other here"
Martel dropped the pistol into the
side pocket of his coat. 1t was m old
coat-one he had donned for ship
board wear. And the pocket into
which he thrust the revolver was q
pocket into which he had once mad
vertantly dropped a lighted cigarette.
Almost the entire bottom of 1t was
burned out
Tho pistol therefore slipped through
and fell again to the floor.
Shoot mel" Elsie was sobbing. "rd
rather die than live. I swear I won't
live II you leave me! I swear IT."
The man looked hopelessly at the
quivering girl. Then his rowing glance
fell upon . table clock. The hands
pointed to 11:30-the very hour and
minute he was due to meet Leonard al
Dorley's restaurant, q full ten min
utes' walk distant.
He caught up the suitcase and start
cd hastily to repack It. But ELSIE
sprang at him again ana twined hel
fingers in tho cases handle: 10 tina,
nothing short Of painful force could
loosen her grasp.
Martel gave another despairfng lool
at the clock Then releasing his holt
on the suitcase he boltod from tn,
apartment before Elsie could stol
him or an much A xuesa hts infant