Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-20
CHAPTER xXXvH

gone all night, although l expect TO
be back sooner"
Then he slipped his emergency
flask into his hip POCKET, donned his
overcoat, and hurried down to the
garage. Jill had taken the sedan, so
he rented q fast roadster. Three
minutes later he was on his way to
the Casino.
Tony Justin was being we'll enter
tanned by congenial companions. The
plotters in the little game naturally
saw to that. IL was costing the Lady
OF Large Alimony a tidy sum to fix
everything just right, but-thc Lady
wSs playing for a stake, for some
thing she particularly wanted. That
this happened to be another woman's
husband was all the same to her.
All men were fools. and fools were
fair game.
She was that among women. a
found any appeal in her eyes until
he had become the beloved Of some
other woman Then stfaightway he
began TO look good to her.
IL WEE because she had immedi-
atcly sensed Jill Stuart's deep, pas
s'onate love for her husband, ana
Nike SWseney's strong admiration
for him, that Nita Ravclle had found
Jack desirable.
She didn't want 10 marry him. She
wouldn't. as she often avowed, marry
NY man. ever though he were a
millionaire. Her observations had
shown her that not all wives. even
of ~millionaires, had $4,000 a year
TO spend on themselves. And her
annuity was guaranteed by a trust
company-$l2,000 a year as long as
she remained unmarried.
Stealing of other wonieu4Hhus-
bands-that was her gaia S. HE
pastime. Opposition lent piquangres,
the game. made her all the keer
for conquest. That Chance had sent
such "A love-thicf TO Elliston was
Jill Stuart's misfortune. And now
hear what the love thief hes 10 say
TO her leading ballyhoo man and as
s~istant, Francois lie Tarte:
you telephone her at ) o'clock"
she instructed him. shell be home
by that time. Tell her he's gone TO
the Casino TO meet me. She'll want
proof. so tell her TO get her friend.
McGuffy, and you'll drive EN- out
there, where she can see for herself.
Believe me, what she'll see will be
a plenty! But she must not be al
lowed to talk with him, nor he to see
her or to know she's there. Then,
when he finally besides that Tony
isn't coming, iii ask him to let me
ride home with him. Honolulu"
II 4s ~momentously significant,
that Title in-drawn "hah!" 1t con-
veyee a deeper meaning then than
Professor lie Ttarte knew. 1t Is
doubtful. however, even il he had
known that it signified murder, that
il would have induced him to forego
his chance ut the $500 promised him.
For the professor was hard up. as
usucl. He needed that five hundred.
Anger, despair, ana doubt-three
of the disgraces and despoilers Of
life. surged up in the heart OF Jill
Stuart. Zach fought for control.
Blind ange: gripped her one moment
Gt the thought of Jacks betrayal OF
her again. Yes, again, she told her
self. for IL this story proved trne-if
nc had gone 10 meet that woman, as
lie Tarte declGred-thcn he had
been guilty on previous counts.
At this thought, despair would
clutch her, for if the father Of her
children And then. once more
there would creep in the ever-con-
soling doubt which, in this case. had
reversed its usual meaning and sig
nified hope.
lie Tarte had telephoned. Jill had
been told that Jack vas to meet
Nita Revelle early that evening in
the cabaret OF the Casino. She knew
that parties from towns within q
radius Of thirty miles foregathered
there. 1t was n replica Of the big
city night club. Suppers were served
at prices on a par with city club
prices.
When the professor had suggested
going out TO the Casino, Jill had re-
fused. But he had persisted. She
could. he told her. take her friend.
McGuffy. along as a medium OF
safety and propriety for herself.
"Very we'll" she had finally told
him, I'm GO just TO prove that yon
are mistaken. I'll get someone and
pick you up at the Central at o
o'clock"
Where, she wondered. could she
find Ann? Then il suddenly oc-
Cured 10 her that Mike Sweeney was
the logical one to take along on this
trip. Clara had told her. Immediately
upon her arrival home from shop
ming, about Jack having been called
out Of town and might be gone all
night Did Clara know where Mr..
Stuart was going-to what town?
No. the girl told her. She had
been in the nursery, Jennie and she,
with the children, when the tele-
phone rang. Mr.. Stuart had an
swered. Then he had called her and
said he was going out Of town and
fer her to tell Mrs. Stuart. He had
then departed. That was all.
Jill took down the receiver and
asked for the Sweeney number. a
~servan answered and she asked Tor
Miss Sweeney. Two minutes passed.
Then Mikes voice came 70 her over
the wire. clear and musical.
ayes. this Is Miss sweeney
"Oh. Mike!" exclaimed Jill. with a
historical sharpness. "Dear friend,
I'm in tn most terrible trouble!
Listen"
Then. in a rush of words that
fairly tumbled over each other in her
anxiety to explain rs quickly as pos
siblc, Jill acquainted Mike with what
LeTarte had told her. and the ness
are lack had left with Clara for her.
.What, in heavens name, Nike,
shall | do ?" she asked at the finish
$50 out there yourself, as quick
rs YOU possibly can. Make sure he's
there TO meet heri" advised Mike.
Instantly. Then she added: If you
want me I'll take you = in our
limousine. It's fast and comfortable.
III lie Tarte goes along he can sit IN
the back sea.!"
srThat's splendid Of you, Nike
exclaimed Jill. with fervor. Il was
Going 10 ask you to go with me, for
wouldn't. Of course. go along with
Il Tarte. When can YOU be here? -
an 20 minutes, or - az the mosti'
renIied the girl who Jill had hated.
or thought she did. only a month or