Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-12-02
Destroying
Angel
y Louie Joseph Vance
Authss u
s7hs Pool Of F1sms.-
IN Bronze Beli." "Ths Bloch
Be-" "7hs Dssss Bscl."
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Copyright By Louis Joseph Vance

Snarling countcnance. He was rug
ging ut something In his pocket. 1t
appeared in the shape of Il heavy
pistol.
Instantly Whitaker was caught and
trlpped by Ember and sent sprawlinx
on the floor Of the box. As this hap
pened, he hcurd the voice of the fire.
arm, sharp and Ncious-a single re-
port.
Unhurt, he picked himself up in time
TO catch glimpse of Max, on tie
stage. momentarily helpless In the en-
brace OF a desperate and frantic wom-
an who had caught his arms from be-
hind and presumably, had so defect
ed his arm, In the same breath En-
Der, who had leaped to the railing
round the box, threw himself across
the fooilights with the 1.-THE certainty
of beast of prey and, seemingly in
as many deft motions, knocked the
pistol from the managers hand, wreSt-
ed him from the arms of the actress,
laid him fiat and knelt upon him.
With single bound Whitaker fol-
lowed him to the stage; in another he
had his wife in his arms and was
soothing her first transports of semi
hyStericAl terror.
1t was possibly quarter Of an hour
Inter when Ember paused before a
door in the ground-floor dressing room
ganGwny Of the Theater Max--a door
distinguished by the initials IS. L."
In the center of golden star. With
some hesitation, With even n little
dindence, he lifted a hand and
knocked.
At once the door was opened by the
maid, Elise. Recognizing Ember she
smiled and stood aside, making way
lobby.
"Madam--and monsieur" she said
with smiling significance, told me 10
show you in at once, Monsieur En-
Der"
From behind the curtains, Whita-
ker's voice lifted up impaticntly:
THAT you, old man? Come right in :"
Nodding to the maid, Embcr thrust
aside the norticres and stepped into
the brightly lighted dressing room.
then paused, bowling aud smiling his
self.c0ntaincd, tolerant smile: in up-
pearanCe as imperturbabie and we'll
srOODcd rs though he had Just
escaped from the attentions Of u valet.
rather than from furious hund-to-
hand tuSse with Il vicious monoma-
uinc.
Mary Whitaker. as yet a little pale
and dlStrat, and still in costume was
reclining on chaise-longue. Whta-
ker was standing close beside his wife;
his face the theater of conflicting
emotions; Ember at least thought
with a shrewd glance to recognize n
pulsating light of joy beneath a mask
of interest and distress and flash of
embarrassment.
II am intrudins?" he suggested
gravely, with Il slight turn as if offer
ing TO withdraw.
NO"
The word fulternc on the lips of
Mary Whitaker was lost in an EN-
phatic iteration by Whitaker
"Sit down" he insisted. AS If we'd
let you escape now, after you'd kept
us here In suspense"
He offered a chair, but Embcr first
advanced to take the hand held out
to him by the woman on the chatse-
Tongue
You are feeling-morc composed?"
he inquired.
Her gaze met his bravely. II am
troubled, pcrhaps-but happy" she
said.
Then am very glad" he said, smil-
Ing at the delicate color that enhanced
her exquisite beauty rs she made the
confession. IL had hoped as much"
He looked from the one to the other
You have made up your
minds"
The wife answered for both: ut is
settled, dear friend: I can struggle no
longer. I thought myself Il strong
woman; I have tried to believe myself
a genius bound upon the wheel OF an
ill-starred destiny; but find | am
the glorious voice trcmhlcd slightly
"only woman in love and no stronger
than her love"
~ ain very glad Embcr repeated,
'for both your snkes. It's happy
contamination Of my dearest wishes"
1--WE owe YOU everything" Whitaker
said with feeling, dropping an awk.
ward hand on the others shoulder.
ut was you who threw us together.
down there on the Great West bay. so
that we learned to know one another
:"
~ plead guilty TO that little plot
yes" Ember laughed But best OF
all, this comes at just the right time
the rightcst time, when there can no
longer be any doubts or questions or
MISUNDERSTANDING no ground for fur
Their fears and apprehcnsions, when |
the destroying angel of your III.
starred destiny, my dear he turned |
TO the woman--'is cyorciscd-bnn.
ishe1--proscribc1--'
"Max--" Whitaker struck In cy,lo.
siycly.
lis on his way to tho police sta-