The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-12-08
CHAPTER XII.

p1neS9 OF the past rev mOntnS, Lnen,
had been built upon the precarious
foundation Of peculation. oh, the hor-
ror! oh, the shame Of It! On the
very morrow the name she bore would
be held up to disgrace and derision.
He would he cast into prison. The
misery Of their struggles with poverty
was as nothing compared with that Of
their sudden downfall.
Numbed though her heart was with
the shock, shrunk by the terror Of
their ghastly position, It was yet not
impervious to pity, and the hopeless
wretchedness Of her husband inspired
it. She thought Of how he had lavish
ed his stealings upon her. how he ap-
peared to be moved BY the one desire
to make her comfortable and happy.
She went to him and put her hand
on his head, smoothing his hair.
"Oh, Joe! oh, my boyr she said
brokenly. "How could you do it2'
Didn't you know sooner or later you'd
be found out? Now know why you've
been interested In the raees-you've
been betting on the horses"
IL wanted to get the money back"
he sobbed.
"But didn't you know you couldn't?
Oh, why didn't you leave things as
they were-the fat the struggle and
all that? Why did you bring me here
and show me all this-this happiness
with money that you stole"
His sobbing ceased, and he pushed
her away and rose.
"Thats right. You call me a thief!
If there was one person in the world
thought could turn to it's you, and
you turn on me-"
Joe, you mustn't say that. haven't
turned on you. Only can't help but
think"-
"what? That man williams drove
me to taking money"
'Drove your
Eyes, he did. He went away 80 I
could take it. I expected you to stand
by me. Do you know the hole I'm in?
There are three central Office men
downstairs watching. If I make a
move I'll be nabbed. It's all very well
for you to stop and preach-you always
were so ID saintly-but what of
me? That's the question-what of
me?"
He thumped his breast violently.
She drew back, hurt by his re-
proaches.
"If thought you were yourself I'd
never forgive you for saying that to
me-" she declared.
I'm not asking your forgiveness,
nor your mothers, nor your sisters
What 1 want now is somebody to help
me out. don't want to go to Jail. 1t
would kill me-"
"Do you think 1 want you to go to
jail? Do you think 1 want the dis
grace
"The disgrace-that's 1t! knew
that would come sooner or later, but
didn't think 1t would come from you.
There's always somebody to hammer
that into fellow when he's down."
"rm not trying to hammer anything
into you. What I want to know is
what can be done, what are We going
to dor
"I don't know-unless'-
"Unless we can get the money to
pay back. There's Jimsy."
THAT won't do. It's too much He
hasn't got 1t. Besides, it's too late
Williams means business. He wouldn't
take the money. He's not that kind"
"Oh. II only knew a way-if
could only helpr
She wrung her hands and sank hope
lessly into a chair by the table.
Brooks paced the room restiessly,
like wild animal in a cage. Now and
hn oh s.Ia
In the direction of his wife. Finally
he sat opposite to her, leaned toward
her on the table and said in q low, in
tense voice:
''If anything is to be done it's got to
be done tonight, Emma. Williams is
the only man. You can square it with
him."
IT can?"
Eyes, and no one but you"
what can / do7"
He looked at her mesningiy.
HE likes you"
Startled. she returned his gaze in
quiringly.
"Yes, he does" he went on. "He al
ways did. Women are his weak point.
He's liked you for years. That's why
he hangs around. I've seen It and
heard what he said tonight about what
he'd do for a girl like you. He meant
that, Emma. He'll DO anything you
ask him if-if you go to him right"
Beginning to understand what he
wanted Of her. she rose slowly, In
credulous horror in her eyes. He rose
also and went toward her.
Hes home now," he urged eagerly.
you can go. No one will know but
just Williams, you and me. And you
can do moro than that-you can make
him give US money. more money. to
keep on living like this. and there won't
be any risk"
Ehe. recoiled from him. consumed with
raG0 and ahapA hAR SS~s hA~-I~~