Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-09-01

ing a lull in the game, he glanced
back over his shoulder at Eunice and
Bruce, and said rather loudly to his
partner:
ct looks as If Hilliard will be able
to get rid of his unwelcome wife, aft
er all-with Kingston's kind help"
Bruce, his eyes ablaze, glanced COW
ertly across the table to see if Eunice
had heard the beastly speech. Her
face was scarlet.
This was too much for Bruce King
ston. Impetuously, he pushed back
his chair, leaped to his feet and
wheeled about on Cadleigh. The lat
ter, frightened by the fierce menace
in Bruce's look and action, also rose.
| The two men faced each other. In
| a hot whisper, audible to Cadleigh
alone, Bruce said:
"You have your choice. You Will
leave this house within five minutes,
or you will take public thrashing."
To put on a bold front, Cadlelgh
grinned, as though in absolute 1ndlf-
| ference. Then, as Kingston took
quick step forward, the other turned
| on heel and walked over to his hos
| tess.
| I'm sorry, Mrs. Hooper" he said,
"but I've just had phone message
| that calls me back to town. Forgive
me for hurrying away like this"
On his way to the train, writhing
over his humiliation, Cadleigh stopped
at the local telegraph office and
scrubbed a dispatch. Sinking with
satisfaction, he read what he had
| written:
Duncan HIlIiard, 1177 Blank Avenue,
New York City:
Your wife eIoped tonight with
Kingston. Congratulations.
A FRIEND.
Rush this, please" he said to the
operator.
The telegram reached Duncan Hill
lizard at midnight. Hilliard was spend
ing the evening at home-a thing he
rarely did, nowadays. And, to keep
him from utter loneliness, a decidedly
gay party had assembled about him
a party consisting of several dis
solute men-about-town and as many
pseudo-chorus girls.
Into this bedlam came footman
with the telegram. Hilliard tore open
the envelope and read.
Listen here!" he roared to his
guests, waving the yellow slip of pa
per above his head. "Just listen to
this: A dear old friend of mine sends
me the good news that my wife's
eloped with a beggarly writing chap
named Kingston! Hurroo"
After the unpleasant interruption to
the party at Mrs. Hooper's, Eunice
started for home in her motor car.
AS Bruce was also returning to the
city. she offered him a lift which he
gladly accepted.
"T wish could have thrashed- Cad
leigh, as he deserved" Kingston was
saying, as the car drew up at the Hill
lizard townhouse. my fists clench
every time l think OF him."
"T'm so glad you didn't strike Lim!"
answered Eunice. You behaved
splendidly. There is no way l can
thank you for defending me as you
did. Why, look!" she broke off, point
ing at the house, 81 wonder what is
the matter. All the first-f1oor shades
are drawn. And the lights are burn
ing in every room!"
"Tll go In there with you, If you
don't mind" he volunteered. eff any
thing is amiss, perhaps I can be OF
USE"
She thanked him, eagerly, for the
offer, and together they entered the
house.
Several of the nights jewellers lay
sleeping on the floor Or in chairs.
One or two men were awake; yawn-
ing and grunting. On the edge Of a
sofa, sprawIed Duncan Hilliard.
"Duncan!" cried Eunice.
Hilliard, at sound of his name,
looked up and saw her standing be-
fore him.
Get the blazes out of here!" he
croaked, forcing the words with diff
Guilty through his dry throat What
are you doing here, anyhow? You
eloped with Kingston, didn't you!
Stay eloped.''
"Eloped?" echoed his wife, dunn
founded.
ooh, I'm on, all right" he growled.
Don't try any of your 'holier-than-
thou ways on me. It's too late for
that. | know what you are. And I'm
going to tell you. You're"
Zone moment, Mr.. Hilliard," quietly
interposed Bruce, stepping forward to
Eunice's side, you say you are go
ing to tell Mrs. billiard what she is.
If you tell her she is anything but the
best and truest wife drunken cur OF
a husband ever had-why, I'm going
to tell you you lie. And then I'm go
ing to smash the words down your fat
throat, along with your teeth"
you're young Kingston. aren't
| your" he growled. Il remember now,
met you once. You're the man that's
stolen my wife from me, Ell? Well,
take her. Good radiance! She'll be
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