Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-09-18
4 asked you The amount Of the def


sank She had not imagined that It
could be go large sun
us that the TRUTH she asked.
Il amt never been noted for lying"
Captain Williams, I've come nere TO
plead with you 10 save Joe and me
and my family from disgrace-to keep
him out Of jail You knew my father.
You were in business with him. You
always liked him and knew be was an
honest man"
"He was square IN his business deal
ings With me. Mrs. Brooks, bot that J
not less than every man has GOT TO be
who deals With me-"
~ know that" she said. her manner
becoming supplicating; Il know that
but you must have some respect for
his memory. you must have had some
affection for him at the time-every-
body had-and some pity for me IN
this trouble. ] thought all these things
might soften YOU. might open q way
10 some arrangement that would save
Us from the exposure that seems now
bound % come tomorrow morning
Isn't there some way out Of itg"
But he was al business now. he
had satisfied himself that be had vast
ed his time with her.
Have you got the money! he snap
ped
mo"
Then what's your propositionY
Il have none" she confessed hope
lessly. hanging her head.
"Humphr he grunted. settling him
self IN bis chair.
Il thought thought you might be
little more charitable and suggest
some way, she murmured.
Your husband sent you here, didn't
her"
Yes"
what did he say 70 your"
told me ] might have some inHu-
ence With you
Put the blame on you for stealing
the money. didn't heT"
How did YOU know that1"
She raised her head and looked at
him in surprise.
i know the man. Didn't heg"
Eyes"
Told you. didn't be. that you could
fT IT up with me TO call everything
onY'
Yes. that's what he said" she ad
mitted wonderingly
And suppose he said that II you
didn't come you'd have 10 take the
blame FOR him going 20 the peuiten-
tiary?"
TIT was something IKE that"
"Didn't happen 90 mention. did he.
that he thought ] liked you pretty
well -
Yves" she stammered. now utterly
bewildered IL think that was part
Of what De said 4"
Didn't forget that Ell? Wen" be
continued. looking once more straight
into her eyes and putting the issue
squarely 20 Der. I'm here and YOUR,
here. That 12rt seems all right What
have you 90 20 say p
She sustained his gaze bravely and
answered. though with no hope in her
heart
is theS any honorable way IN
which ] can help himT
What 90 YOU mean by honorable '
Emma lost All patience. Fer nerves.
that haG been under such severe
strain. were getting beyond control
She rose. flushing augriiy
You know what ! mean by honor
ahler You know what any good wom-
sn means when she saws honorable
You're heating about the bush. Cap
tain Williams. II you want 20 come
10 the point come 20 81 and come 20
Il quickly ] am going home"
NOW you're talking. my lass" be
said grimly getting up also. "and TT
talk right back 60 You " 7 took your
opinion ~ me and that Of your thiev-
ing husband ] wouldn't have 20 talk
] q tell YOU 80 plain words that n YOU
wanted 90 20 Go san Francisco with
me I'd take q chance on the overeat.
Ing and wouldn't put you on a diet
Ike ! put the rest What would you
DO them What n did make the prop
osition that's Ii your mind and was
IN. the mind Of that sneaking husband
OF yours when be tried 20 put YOU on
the bargain counter and send YOU over
% me 20 see n I'd put the price up 10
sixteen thousand What II I looked
you over and was pleased and thought
you cheap az that hguref You say i've
killed men Yes, ] have-wrung their
heads OF with this hand Ike you'd
sling a chicken In the air. You came
here for a purpose.\ You amt no child.
What Il am the beast and the brute
you say ] ann Whatu you do then7
I said you was the first lady 20 come
IN here. Maybe I made a mistake.
but If did I'll End il out before you
leave this room, you understand? rye
talked; now you talk"
Her reply came with whitening
scorn:
"Now know that you're everything
people say you are"
"An right" he said, making step
toward her. If am what everybody
says ] am-what you think I anl-you
know what 10 expect and don't need
10 talk
The peril OF her situation reused her
% desperation, and with Il came the
courage desperation sometimes i'm
parts, the courage thNt impels a de-
fenseless animal hunted into a corner
from which there is no escape TO turn
and tight for its life
You think I'm afraid OF your she
cried, throwing up her head and
cifuchfne, tho hands os - .sao. az