The Washington herald., 1916-05-21
Trick & Co. on BIair's return in New

Blair reported to his employer and found
himself received with unexpected cor
diality
I've a number of things to talk over
with you,' said Kendrick. And ] shall
be too busy all day for even FIVE minute
chat. Dine with me. We can have the
whole evening. then, to talk over ar
rangements. Be at my house at seven
thirty. Don't bother to dress. unless you
want to- You will be the only guest"
As Blair left the office Kendrick smiled
grimly to himself. Here at last was one
way to punish his wife for her treatment
of him. Without telling her of his in
tent, he would bring her face to face
with this man she had loved and whom
she now detested, and regarded as a
scoundrel She would have to receive
Blair courteously, would have to talk TO
him throughout the dinner. 1t would
sting her pride. and be balm to Ken
dricks own bruised self-esteem. He
would enjoy sitting there and watching
her suffer
I'm having a man to dinner tonight"
kendrick told Ruth. when he reached
home. "A man / shall need in a financial
deal I am putting through. AS I'm
anxious to make hit with him, will you
please dine in your roomsT'
Certainly, dear" she answered meekly,
and kendrick turned quickly away to
hide a grin.
For he knew she was never meek ex-
cept when she was planning trouble for
him. He was equally certain she would
not fail to appear at dinner; with the OBJ
ject of ridiculing him and OF making his
guest have a most unpleasant evening
Sure enough. as he and Blair were
about to enter the dining-room. Ruth
came into the library where they had just
received the buffers summons that din
ner was served. She was in a bewitch-
ingly pretty and horribly expensive even
Ing dress; and there was a malicious light
in her eyes.
Then, of a sudden, she and Fleetwood
Blair caught sight Of each other. Both
stood staring, transfxed with sick dis
may. Kendrick. who had been drinking
all day, glanced smilingly from one to the
other
This is a little surprise party of
mine" he chuckled. Blair. I din't tell
you was married and didn't tell Ruth
you both a treat. Shall we go in to
dinner? Blair, WILL you take my wife
in?"
Speeches.. deathly pale Blair stepped
forward to offer his hostess his arm. She
shrank from him as from a snake Again
Kendrick chuckled. This was his first
happy evening in months.
Into the dining-room they went. Ruth
by dint OF heroic self-control, seated her
self and steeled her nerves TO go through
with the ordeal
quite a jolly family reunion" gaily
commented Kendrick "Once I used to
think II was going TO be the other way
around. and that I would be a guest at
the table of Mr.. and Mrs. Fleetwood
Blair. But
Ruth rose suddenly from the table. The
strain was greater than she could en-
dure. She fed blindly to the library
Kendrick reached out to clutch her dress
as she hurried past him. But she eluded
his half-drunken grip, Instantly his
teasing humor changed to anger. Spring
ing up awkwardly he lurched into the
library in pursuit Of her.
Come back to the dining room, you"'
he snarled. gripping her by one white
shoulder as she sought to move away
I've had enough of your rotten high
and-mighty airs. /"
Take your Shiny hand of me- she
cried. recoiling I'm disgust
The words and the utter loathing in her
glance were too much for him Scarce
realizing, in his drunken frenzy what
he was doing. he struck her full in the
face. Then. wheeling. he stumbled out
OF the room and out Of the house.
with a scream. Ruth staggered under
the impact of the blow and fell at full
length on the hardwood floor. Scream
and fall brought Fleetwood Blair run
ming in from the dining-room. Kneeling
beside her, he lifted her TO her feet and
half led. half carried her TO a couch
Presently, with a gasp. she came to her
full senses. A shudder set her whole
slender body a-quiver.
What Is the matter?' asked Blair, in
distress. Did you faint? How did you
hurt yourself? I heard you cry out
and"
angry cat; fairly splitting the words from
between her locked teeth. He struck
me, The beast
'Who?" firmly demanded Blair. his
eyes hot with indignation.
"Kendrick. He struck me. And
where are you going?" she broke off, as
the man started toward the door
I'm going to find him." growled Blair.
and break every bone in his body.
L"
Mo- she ordered. NO. You must
not"
But the cur struck you He de-
serves"
He deserves no more than he will get, !"
she interrupted. a certain murderous calm
replacing her wildcat rage. Keep your
hands off him, Fleet. He is my prey and
mine alone. Don't worry! I shall know
how to make him pay. Oh. I've learned
much about mems vileness this past year.
First you and then"
You shall not couple me with a brute
like Kendrick," he flashed. You have
no right to. No loving woman can ac-
cuse me Of"
"Of throwing over your sweetheart for
a good business opening?' she sneered.
What are you talking about?" he de-
manded, as angry now as she herself IF
you mean my agreeing to work for Ken
driCk and promising not to marry while
was in his employ-I did do 1t because
you told me to. And you know It. After
ward, for some reason, you pretended"
''I told you tor" she repeated, incredu-
lous. yet impressed by his stern fervor.
'T7 Why, l.
Yes. In the note you wrote me that
day we became engaged. You told me
he was going to make me the offer. You
told me to accept It; to work for him
until had earned s5, 900. and then to come
back and marry you. And"
"I?' she said again, blantly. 81 did
nothing of the sort. Why try to excuse
your treachery to me by saying such an
impossible thing? I didn't write you any
note at all that day. And /"
You wrote It and I tried to show It to
you," he contradicted. You wouldn't
listen; you wouldn't wait"
Long and keenly she sszed at him. She
1,