The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-11-30

ingly at him for an instant, then
snaried:
"Clear out of here"
He caught up a riding crop that had
been left lying on a nearby table, and
slashed ~viciously at Toms face.
Tom with his right hand caught the
larger mans wrist and wrenched the
| crop from his grasp. At the same time
he struck fiercely and scientifically
with his left.
The blow caught Marc Lander
squarely on the point Of the jaw. The
BLACKBOARD collapsed with a grunt.
Tom leaned over him saying In the
same ominously cool voice:
IF you want any more you know
where to get it. And If ever / hear OF
your m~altreating Janet again you'll get
it good and plenty, whether you want
1t or not. Remember that"
Without so much as another glance
at the scrambling and swearing man
on the floor he left the apartment.
Slowly and ragingly Marc Lander
got to his feet.
"Are-are you very badly hurt,
Marc?" asked Janet family.
The solicitous question awoke him
to a fresh access Of fury.
"Hurt?" he beloved. I'm not any
where near as badly hurt as Mr..
Thomas Mercer will be before I'm done
with him! I'll get him, If 1t takes my
To or onnt nr sands pna 70 fha ohatrf I'll
get him"
'Marc!" she exclaimed, shocked by
his wild beast ferocity. "He struck you
in self-defense. You attacked him."
"Shut up" he roared. "And 10Y
that I've kicked him out, you can 60,
too. I'm sick Of you. Get out"
II can't divorce you in New York."
she made answer. But in Connecticut,
cruelty is a ground for divorce. And"
divorce me if you want to-" he
snarled. But I'll get him yet. And
you, too. I'll make you both wish you'd
neither Of you eve been bornv
Janet followed Tom MERGERS advice
In every particular. She went to Hart
ford.
Tom arranged with a business &C
quaintance to take Janet into his m
ploy while she was learning stenog-
raphy.
Then, with new zest, he threw him
self into his own work. And for q
year he and Janet saw little Of each
other.
At last Tom received word that he
had been promoted to q ~high-salaried
post at the firms general offices in
New York. And the same week ia
nets divorce was granted.
The joyous lovers fastened to Samo-
set, and there, in Hiram Gordon's
home, they were married.
Thence they went to New York. Tom
found a beautiful house in the sub
urbs, where he installed his bride.
And SO the happy years went on.
Two children were born to the couple.
Their home life was perfect. Tom was
rising faster and faster in the business
world.
In fact he had ever been q tireless
worker, so ~tireless that at last nature
claimed her due from his years of
overwork. And Tom was confined to
his house for several weeks by q seri-
Gus nervous breakdown.
Janet nursed him tenderly back to-
ward health. But she was still far
from satisfied with his condition. Es-
pecially was she troubled when the
doctor one day drew her to one side
and said:
"He is on the highroad to recovery
now. But there is one thing you must
look out for. That Is his heart. The
heart has been under a terrific strain
throughout all these years of overwork
and overworry. This illness has left
it weak. Any sudden shock or excite
ment or physical exertion might per-
haps-"
The doctor did not finish his SEN
tence. But Janet understood. And she
was afraid.
That same afternoon as she and Tom
were sitting In the library the two chill
dren came In from a walk with their
nurse and began to play on the We
randa.
The youngsters had heard their
elders tell Of the war. So now, while
their nurse went indoors on some
errand they undertook to play 1.-The
Battle Of the Marne" ON the front
steps.
This alluring game proved somewhat
noisy. And janet feared lest II might
disturb Tom. So she slipped out upon
the porch to ask the baby warriors to
conduct their battle" more quietly.
AS she was about to re-enter the
house, she saw a man turn in from the
street and come up the walk toward
her. Thinking 1t was some neighbor
come to inquire after Tom she moved
forward to welcome him. Then she
paused.
With a thrill Of terror she recog-
nized Marc Lander.
Lander mounted the steps, raising
his hat with an insolently jaunty air.
slow is my dear little wifef" he
asked, In mock tenderness.
II nm not your wife," she retorted.
"NoY" he queried In apparent sur
prise. "That's news to me. I was told
that you WERE"