Middletown transcript., 1909-01-09

continued, IS hOnored and loved.
He holds q high place among bis
fellow men. He has d wife who,
Ithink-no, ] am sure-loves him
devotedly and honors him above
all else. And yet, this man is q
thief Years ago he took money
that did not belong to him. Upon
such a foundation he built his
honor and his name.
He paused. Somehow, he could
notaccount for himself, be wished
to give the Governor an oppor-
tunity TO defend himself las he had
done awhile before. But the
Governor neither spoke nor
stirred, so Mortimer continued.
We will be fair to the man, be
said for the life Of him he could
not tell why. He made good use
of his opportunities. He served
his State well. He was a useful
citizen.
And now, it was the Governor
who spoke, and once again his
voice had the old ring. His wife
could never hear it without being
strongly affected-and now, be
said, the opportunity Of his life
has come. He has a chance to
serve his country greatly, such a
chance as comes to few men. AT
one blow he can defeat the
enemies of the people and put
them to ront. It is a blow which
will drive industrial oppression
from his State.
And will he strike that blowf
she asked, leaning forward eager.
ly as though to hear the answer
the more quickly.
He viii, replied the Governor,
if advise him to.
But you win, James? she said,
Surely you will?
L -
The Governor raised bis hand. Wait
he said. You have not heard all. HI
paused for moment and then resumed
more quietly. The enemies Of ths
commsn good have learned of the crime
thai he committed long ago Oh, hs
exclaimed, and his voice thrilled with &
sudden passion, be has repented it always
Every day through the weary years hs
has repented it. He has tried to make
the repentance noble one. by sacrifcs
and devotion to duty, following alway,
the path OF light as God gave him strength
Of sight; but this has all been without
avail. Unless he-betrays his trust, unlesl
he commits Q crime ten thousand folC
blacker and neaner than the fast one
these people mean to expose him. They
mean to blight his life, to let his-hil
wife know that lie is a thief.
He stopped speaking and sank bach
into his chair. Mortimer, who sal
watching, marveled that his wife did moi
understand that lie was speaking OF him
self. But she did not. The beautifu
face was clouded with pain and sorrow.
but both were entirely impersonal. There
was long pause. At laet Mortimer
could bear il no longer.
Well. be said, what do Tou advise Vi
TO do?
Oh, she exclaimed in q voice thai
thrilled with pity, was thinking Of thai
wornsnl She paused, but neither mai
spoke. She was sorroBing for herself
aud did not know it. Both men felt Tie
patlIos Of it--slie was tile woman thes
both loved, Jet neither could help hel
now. do not think that you men Of
any men, she went ou, realize how
utterly, how complstely, woman give
hers, up to the man sIie maTriea. Al
her life is in him. her JOYS and sorrows
are in lis. Her pride is IN him, and be
faith. Obi when that is taken, wha
sorrow comesl
i Ql,a poaa and. u,alk;r,, Or, IS- L,,.l.r...a
laid her arm about his neck aud placed he
cheek against bis. Il was an unstudies
action, almost an involuntary one. Sh,
was only following natural prompting.
James, she eaid, suppose that man va
you, and that, was the woman; 1t wcaal
break my heart it would rnin my rs
Oil il would kill me, mot quickly AMI
mercifuIly, but slowly, cruelty. Whel
you swore to cherish me, you sBore i
save me from that, and your duty is b
me first Of all Tie blow this man cal
strike, other men can strike, but only b
can save bis vile, and that is what b.
must, do. Oh, she entreated, have pit
for her. James Tell him 10 spare her
i Mortimer could bear the scene n
longer, although be was unshaken in th
course be had mapped. Il struck him q
strange that this should be 90. Ofte
afterWard as the scene came back to hin
be would wonder al il. So be rose an
said:
Your advice and mine are the same
Mrs. Carleton. Let Us ask she Goyerno
to consider il.
n Yes, she agreed, he is always right. II
will be right this time. She turned an
kisse him. In the half light Of the roor
she could not see She suffering in his eye.
Good by. James, she said.
Good by. be replied; but he did not n
lease the hand be had taken 10 bis. H
held il for long moment, then he said
Remember, dear always remember, tbs
no matter what ] door have done, / Low
n you.
I know that, she whispered back :
him, end then turned and followed MOI