The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-19

Job! Isn't that splendid7 Tell me
about #"
John Leonard has offered me a
splendid salary and a chance for big
sdvance-if I'll Join his expedition to
Brazil"
ITO Brazil1" she gasped.
Yes. We sail at 2 o'clock tomor.
row morning. With luck we ought to
be back here In si1 months or so.
And"
you shan't go!" she sobbedl hysteri.
cally. you shan't do It! You asked
me to marry you. You made me love.
And now 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 nd Of you instead
Of"
"And 90 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 a face all blotched with
tearst".
I'm not going to send you away
at ALL" shrilled Elsie, her high voice
pitched almost In a scream. "1'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 tho far end Of the hall, paused in
her preparations for bed as the sound
Of the fearful, angry voice reached her.
Mrs. Wigs kicked or her tapping
slippers, opened her door softly, and
padded, pussy.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 tho voices Of
the two lovers in angry dispute; but
she could catch none Of Martel's words
and aggrayatingly few Of Elsie's.
There is no use in keeping this up
any longer" said Martel. We'll both
say what we'll be sorry for. And I
don't want my absence to be marred
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 1t away from him.
None too gently he pulled the suit.
case away from her.
Dent! Don't! You're killing mel"
Mrs. Wigs, lowering near the key
hole. caught the words. and she
thrilled with excitement. Apparently
this was NJ mere quarrel, but a bat
tie.
Don't be foolish, DEAR" pleaded
Martel in a voice too low to reach be-
yond the door. "You are behaving like
a cranky baby. It isn't worthy a
grown woman. Get up and stop acting
So"
Somewhat roughly he drew her to
her feet; then turned to go. With a
cry she flung herself upon the suit
case. As he tugged to get It away
from her the catch slipped.
The bag flew open and its 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 was brandIshing It
above her head.
III 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. I've 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 will gsve me blazes II I let
folks kill each other here"
Marte1 dropped the pistol into the
side pocket of his coat. 1t was an old
.coat-one he had donned for ship.
board rear. And the pocket into
which he thrust the revolver was a
pocket into which he had once mad.
vertantly dropped q lighted cigarette.
Almost the entire bottom Of 1t was
burned out.
The pistol therefore slipped through
and fell again to the floor.
Shoot mel" Elsie was sobbing. "I'd
rather die than live. / swear I won't
live II you leave me! I swear I'll"
The man looked hopelessly at the
quivering girl. Then his rowing glance
fell upon q table clock. The hands
pointed to %11:30-the very hour and
minute he was due to meet Leonard at
Dorley's restaurant, o full ten min.
,utes' walk distant.
: He caught up the suitcase and start
ed hastily to repack 1t, But Elsie
sprang at him again and twined her
fingers in the cases handle; so that
nothing short of painful force could