The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-11-27
Eavesdropping on
the Other Man
By ALLEN JOHN ADAMS

=
IN lily around to the back door, and
sneaked in quietly-as if he were a
burglar, instead of the owner. Open
ing the back door softly, he peered
about and crept down the hall TO the
living room. His return from town
was two hours earlier than he had
planned. He felt thrilled as he thought
of the surprise it would give his bride
of a week.
He grasped the handle Of the living
room door and started to turn 1t slow
ly, but a strange voice from within the
room stopped him. The words that he
had heard seemed impossible; he
doubted his own hearing. But there is
was again-that low masculine voice
that radiated such assurance; now it
was saying suggestively, II knew you'd
come back to me. You couldn't love
anyone else that way, as long as we
were together" And then silence {. i. {.
damnable silence!
1t was unbelievable! Ruth! OF all
the women in the world-untrue to
him. Onl- this morning, she had chung
to him tenderly, and she whispered
that she mad never loved anyone else.
But there was the irrefutable evil
dence again coming to his ears-that
low vibrant voice that sounded just
as the perfect lovers should! Now, it
was becoming more dramatic I.
and at times trif1e mufled
as if they had their faces close to-
gether. He could think only Of the
lovely face that he had thought be-
longed to him.
1t was more than he could stand.
He felt very sick inside, as If he want.
ed to fall to the floor. and never rise
again. He was aroused by the sound
Of that same insinuating voice again
thrusting itself into his suffering mind.
Strain as he might, he could not hear
his wife's voice. The tOrturing thought,
that she seldom spoke above whisper
when he held her in his arms, scared
his feverish brain. She must be in
this other mans arms now, whisper
ing endearing- phrases to this new-olu
lover as she had to him.
He felt dazed and helpless. Who
was so all-powerful as to come In and
take his wife away from him? His
blood seemed to go cold at the thought
Of the thing. 1t was maddening!
Then. he heard the mans voice; 1t
was soft. persuasive; 1t seemed like a
very intimate whisper, but he caught,
''and We'll run away together, dear
tonight"
Rodger Manning suddenly saw red |;
and the blood that had seemed chilled
in his veins began to feel as if it were
on fire. He reeled away from the
door, staggering with blind rage that
knew no bounds. The long restrained
temper had burst it's leash, and his
mind was filed with fiendish thoughts
Of revenge -. actioni -. anything
to destroy this soul-torturing vision
He went into their bedroom and
opened the right-hand top drawer of
the dresser. Yes it was still
there, all right. He picked up the
cold and dark-looking automatic, that
now seemed like such strange device
to snuff out mems lives-and even
women'sl Turning 1t over In his
hands, he stared at this black metal
thing that could deal death so quickly.
He was in the Supplied daze of q
person whose mad rage has reached
temporary insanity. Seeing his refec-
ton in the mirror In front Of him
startled him. He saw q man with d.
lated eyes and slightly open mouth,
who looked very pale and ghastly-a
strange man, who held weapon OF
death in his hand. and prepared him
self for murder.
He thought slowly murder
+, death-meant separation from
the only thing in this world he loved |;
he didn't want to live without her
he'd kill himself. too. But the man
the other man: as he thought Of the
one who had wrecked his dream Of
happiness. his jaw frightened fercely !;
and the lips that had been open, set
in a hard line Of determination. He
would carry his plan through to it's
bitter end.
After the shots people would
come in and they would find
three bodies-all dead; and the gun
that had spoken revengeful justice and
death, would still be tightly gripped by
his hand.
He examined the automatic very slow
ly. and carefully-like man who had
eternity. Yes =. it was fully
loaded, and in perfect order; so he
moved the safety-catch and took fir
mer grip. They say that, Every man
kills the thing he loves.
AS he turned the knob Of the living
room door. he heard a slight sound
from within, but not a word. They
must be in each others arms now
to he so silent.
He put the gun in his coat pocket
with his finger on the trigger-and
pointed it forward. In a moment
fire would come from that
pocket.
Quietly, he opened the door, and
took two steps forward.
As in a dream, he heard his wife
saying: "Oh. Rodger. dear, you've
missed hearing the NOS dramatic
reading over the new radio that IA
ther sent us today? Darling!
you look as pale as DEATH"
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