Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-06-10
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W IN ROBERT " CHAMBERS IN VIZ

, ming to appear to him as an unwar-
ranfed piece of recklessness; he was
amazed with himself for taking such
Il chance-disguste at his foolish
and totally unnecessary course with
this young girl. All he had had to
could have married in safety then.
And even now he didn't know wheth-
er or not the ceremony performed by
Parson Smawley had been an lille
him a bigamist for the next three
months or only something worse.
What on earth had possessed him to
take such a risll-the terrible hazard
of discovery, of losing the only wom-
an he had ever really cared for
the only one he probably could ever
care for? OF course. had he been
free he would have married her.
When he got his freedom he would
insist on another ceremony. He
could persuade her to that on some
excuse or other. But in the mean
while!
He entered the deserted dining
room, came over to where Rue was
waiting, and sat down, heavily, hold
ing. an unlighted cigar between his
stubby fingers.
"Well, little girl" he said with
very long?"
mot very"
you didn't miss me?" he inquired,
ponderously playful.
His heavy pleasantries usually left
her just a little doubtful and con-
fused, for he seldom smiled when
he delivered himself of them,
He leaned across the cloth and
laid hot, cushiony hand over both
of hers, where they lay primly clasp
ed on the able edge:
Don't you ever miss me when I'm
away from you, Rue?" he asked
II think-it is nice to be with
YOU" she said, hotly embarrassed by
the publicity Of his caress.
IT don't believe you mean it, But
he smiled this time. At which the
little rigid smile stamped itself on
her lips; but she timidly withdrew
her hands from his.
Rue, don't believe you love me-"
This time there was no smile.
She found nothing to answer, be-
ing without any experience in give
and-take conversation, which left
her always uncertain and uncomfor-
table.
For the girl was merely creature
still in the malling-a soft, pliable
thing to be shaped to perfection only
by the light touch of some steady,
patient hand that understood-or to
be marred and ruined by a heavy
hand which wrought at random or in
brutal haste.
Brandes watched her for a moment
out of sleepy. greenish eyes. Then
he consulted his watch again, sum-
moned waiter, gave him the par
cels-room checks. and babe him have
boy carry their luggage into the
lobby.
AS they rose from the table, a
man and a woman entering the lob
by caught sight Of them. halted,
then turned and walked back toward
the street door which they had just
entered.
,Brandes had not noticed them
where he stood by the desk. scratch
ing off a telegram to Stull:
"All o. K: Just going aboard.
Fix it with Stein"
He ,rejoined Rue as tho boy ap-
der porter took the bags and pre-
ceded them toward the street.
There's the car!' said Brandes,
with a deep breath of relief
HE knows his business, that chauf-
Their chauffeur was standing be-
side the car as they emerged from
the hotel and started to cross the
sidewalk; the porter, following, set
their luggage on the curbstone; and
pretty woman, stepped lightly be-
tween Rue and Brandes.
Good evening. Eddie" she said,
and struck him a staggering blow in
the face with her White-gloVed hand.
Brandes lost his balance, stumbled
sideways, recovered himself, turned
swiftly and encountered the full, pro-
truding black eyes of Maxy Yemen
staring close and menacingly into
his.
From Brandes' cut lip blood was
running down over his chin and col
lar; his face remained absolutely
expressionless. The next moment
his eyes shifted. met Ruhannah's
stupefied gaze.
GO Go into the hotel" he said calmly
stay where you are! interrupted
NaXy Venem, and caught the speech
,~7s and bewildered girl by the ell
Like lightning Brandes' hand flew
to his hip pocket, and at the same
instant his own chauffeur seized
both his heavy, short arms and held
them rigid, pinned behind his back
''Frisk him." he painted: Yemen
ninbly relieved him of the dull black
weapon
Can the fake gun-play, Eddie" he
SAID coolly showing aside the porter
%hG etfamptsd t9 W. ter T od Du
you: come on: who's the girl?"
The woman who had struck Bran
des now came up again beside Venem.
She was young, very pretty, but
deathly white except for the patches
of cosmetic on either cheek. She
pointed at Brandes. There was blood
on her soiled and split glove:
You dirty dog!" she said INSTEAD
lly. You'll marry this girl before
I've divorced you, will you? And
you think you are going to get away
with it! You dog! You dirty dog!"
The porter attempted to interfere
again, but Yemen showed him out of
the way. Brandes, still silently
struggling to free his imprisoned
arms, ceased twisting suddenly and
swung his heavy head toward Yemen.
His hat had fallen off; his face,
deeply flushed with exertion, was
smeared with blood and sweat.
Whats the idea, you fool!" he
said in low voice. 'Pm not mar
ried to her."
But Ruhannah heard him say it.
You claim that you haven't mar
ried this girl?" demanded Yemen
loudly, motioning toward Rue, who
stood swaying, half dead, held fast