The evening world., 1920-12-08

your reason for not
wanting a scandal was
largely selfish, yet l think that con-
sideration for my position was partly
responsible for your return, and for
that l thank you. When you asked
for a divorce the other night
didn't realize that your love for
me was so entirely dead or that
you had fallen so completely un-
der this mans influence. Under
the circumstances shall give you
divorce, IL only to keep you
from taking matters into your. own
hands. But l shall not do it until l
have satisfied myself that your new
love is real, that the man is worthy
Of it. II there is anything in Woods's
life that does not bear looking into
I'll find it out; il he has done any
thing in the past that Is likely to
hurt you in the future l Bhall know
it, and you shall know it too before
you take this irrevocable step"
! Woods flushed for a moment when
Jim spoke of digging into his past,
/ but he laughed easily and said:
You're getting a bit melodramatic,
aren't your"
Better melodrama than tragedy"
Jim responded bitterly.
"As to looking UP my past" Woods
remarked, "one might think you were
the father of the lady and a youth
ful suitor. While l recognize no
right OF yours to NEEDLE in my at
fairs, the fact that l was sent to
America as the duly accredited agent
of the French Government should
have some weight. They are not ac-
customed over there to hiring thugs
and cutthroats to carry on their bus
mess"
This is all beside the point" Helen
broke in. May / ask, Jim, where
am going to stay and what l am go
ing to do while you are Investigating
Franks past?'
"You are going to stay here"
Here? But where will you stayT'
II am going 10 stay here with you"
Woods came around the divan
Look here, Felderson! Can't you
see Helen doesn't love you. that
you've lost p
Keep back!" warned Jim huslIily,
'-She can't stay here with you
She's no more your wife than II she
had never married you. Do you think
I'll allow her to stay in this house
forced to endure your attentionsT
WHO are you TO say what you viii
or won't allow2" Jim roared, his eyes
blazing. You came into my house
as my guest and stole my most pre-
cious possession. Get out before
kill you!"
, minute l felt sure the two men woulc
settle matters then and there. Sud
denly he turned and said: Come
Helen!"
"she stays here!" Jim cried.
Helen had arisen from the divaT
when the two men came together
/ Now she stepped forward.
I'm going with Frank. We came
back here more for your sake thar
! our own. We tried to give you 9
chance to do the decent thing but
might have known you wouldn't
With all your protestations of love
for me, when / ask you to do the one
thing that uld show that love, thu
one thing that would make me happy
you not only refuse, but you lnsuI
the man who means everything in tn
world to me. If | had ever loved yOl
in my life, what you have just sale
would have made me hate you. AS
never loved you, l deSplse ana Ioath
you now"
She started to pass him, but h
| grabbed her by the shoulders. Hi
face was white and drawn and hi
eyes were the eyes Of a madman. II
- lifted her up bodily and almost threV
:. Iher on the divan, crying, by God
You stay here!"
v Jim turned just as Woods rushe
and with a mighty swing to the sid
of the head sent him crashing int
o the corner. Dazed as he was, he ha
|. struggled to his feet, and when l sa'
q him reach beneath his coat, l spran
= on nm and wrenched the reVolY6
from his hand
~ Disheveled and half f-stupeficd, b
rose and glared at US like an angT
7 bull. Slowly he Strengthened his I
% and brushed back his hair. II
- glanced over at Helen, who was sol
bing on the sofa.
\ Two of you--eh? A frame up" A
the hatred in the world cleaned
h his eyes, as he looked at Jim. If yo
= don't let Helen come to me, Fielder
,. son, I'll kill you; so help me Go
:, I'll kill you!" Then he picked up h
= coat and hat and walked out OF II
IA room.