The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-09-09

S0Heco r1uopAHo NStAGko ~ oms
wife," sneered Lander. ''in spite Of the
presence Of those two brats. We don't
want you to interrupt our loving chat
So l."
Toms fist, driven with the force OF
q sudden anger gust, stopped the slur.
ring words BY landing heavily against
the speakers mouth.
| Lander. running in. grappled.
Up and down the veranda they
swayed and reeled in their primordlal
battle.
Tom, wrenching free Fl, N his oppo.
pent's grip. drove his left first again in.
to Lander's face and followed 1t with
bis right.
Under the double impact Lander was
knocked clear on his balance. His big
body dew backward. His feet sought
hardly for the veranda floor and
clawed in futile effort at the top step.
Then he hurtled over the edge Of the
veranda, down the entire flight of
wooden steps, and his head smote
sharply against an iron jardiniere on
the lawn below. The metal vessel was
cracked by the force of the collision.
Lander lay motionless and unconscious
On the lawn.
Tom Mercer made as II to descend
the steps toward his fallen and sense
less foe. But, vt the same instant, his
features became distorted with agony.
He clutched at his heart with both
hands, groan Of mortal pain bursting
from his white lips.
Janet cried aloud at sight Of Toms
ashen face. and ran to catch him as he
staggered blindly backward.
She was in time to seize the sudden.
~ helpless and inert body in her arms.
But all her love and all her prayers
could not stay for one brief minute the
aight Of the soul from that body.
q 4 a 4 -
It was on tho day after the funeral
that Caius Lefferts, Tom MERGERS law
yer. called at the once bright Mercer
home to see Janet.
She came into the library to receive
him. looking very beautiful, but pitt
tully tragic in her deep mourning.
SWELL" she asked, in tense eager.
ness as he rose to greet her. "Haye
you looked up the law in the matter7
And-and It isn't true, 10 1T"
Tim afraid. Mrs. Mercer" he replied
sadly, shat I must answer Yes to
both those, questions. have consulted
every authority. Marc Lander was
correct. You were solemnly married
to Thomas Mercer, in the sight Of God
and Of the LAWN Connecticut. But
In New York you were never Thomas
MERGERS wife. In fact" he hesitated,
then forced himself to 60 on. "In fact,
I learn today that Lander Is instituting
suit for divorce against you, naming
Thomas Mercer as correspondent"
II must tell you everything" went
pn the lawyer, although It Is like tor
turing 4 helpless child. Thomas Mer.
Ger left no will. It was doubtless his
Intent that you should thus receive
pne-third Of his property and each Of
bis children one-third. But-none Of
you three. BY New York lag, has any
status as his wife or children. There.
fore mona Of you can inherit his ~
tate" !
! "what1 Surely his own children"
"New York state" replied Lefferts,
docs not recognize you a. Mercer's
widow. You and your children have
no claim on his estate.r y, i. .,..,.
'But-" j ~sssvA
rHis sister," Continued Lettsrts,
scalled ON me this morning. As Mer.
GERS next Of kin, as he left no viii, she
Is his sole heir. She came to notify
me that she intends to evict you and
POUR children from this house and that
phe refuses to contribute one penny to-
ward the support Of any Of you. She"
He broke of. Janet had fallen back
In her chair In q dead faint.
And only the principal actors In the
event are the ones to blame but law.
makers must share the odium and hear
their part Of the burden when the &C.
cusing finger is pointed ut them and
they are asked the question ',Who's
Guilty7"