Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-09-18


her arm around her.
Mother, I'm very tired tonight" she
said appealingly. You won't mind II
I've something TO tell you some time.
but / want 20 be alone now"
You do look all tuekered out EN-
ma" commented Beth.
Il am. You won't mind. VIII you,
motherF'
Certainly not I'm hot and sticky
myself"
"Pn take you to the subway and put
you on the car" volunteered Brooks.
You needn't mind" declined Mrs.
Harris. You're too disagreeable to
night II you bring my purse from
Emma's room, Jimsy will take US
Won't you. JlmsyT'
I'm still the utility man." respond
ed the complaisant Smith as Brooks
went on the errand.
While Beth was putting her mothers
hat straight Mrs. Brooks whispered 70
Smith:
Tel mother as much as told you
and then come back"
He nodded.
Come on. folks" he said as Brooks
reappeared with the purse you know
time and the subway wait for no
man"
Tortured by suspense. Brooks stood
watching his wife.
She had sunk on TO the sofa and sat
there, still wearing her hat the pic
ture Of WEAKNESS and sorrow.
The color came and went IN his
sunken cheeks. II was certain from
her attitude that her mission had fail
ed. yet he feared TO learn IT from her
lips.
She gave no indication Of intention
or desire 10 break the silence or even
that she was aware OF his presence.
He could bear II 10 longer.
'He wouldn't do anything? It's all
up?"
The words escaped him TREMENDOUSLY.
In despairing tone. as though they an
swered the Interrogation
She did not reply. but, rising and
drawing from her bosom the paper
Captain Williams had given her. hand
81 IL 90 him
He took IL hesitatingly. almost fear
fully
For meT'
"For YOU"
As De- read Il the blood rushed 70
his face. and be gave a sigh of Inn
menSe relief. Joyfully he looked over
20 her. but there was no responsive
exultation She appeared crushed. j.
might have been his death warrant
Doubling whether he had read r.
Alright. ne perused the acquittal again.
with increasing eNultation.
Emma. you've succeeded he cried.
This means he won't prosecute and
it's all right You made him do Il
You have saved met
She nodded her acqulescence. and ne
Went 20 her. trimming over with relief
and qualification, 20 take her in his
arms
You're the best little girl that ever
happened. the pluckiest'-
Gently she pushed him from her.
"Plcasc don't Joer'
why. what's the matterT"
"Tu tirtd-very tired"
"of course YOU are" ho said IN a
tone ~ concern and tenderness. You
sit down there. I'll bet you had a
hard time. know what Williams is"
He would have led her 10 the sofa.
but again she repulsed him gently. He
went 90 the table and took up the &C
quittal he had laid on f.
Found my accounts 20 be correct"
be muttered THAT means he viii
ha~e the books Fixed up and nothing
Will show. Did he say much about
meT'
Not very much"
but ! bet he gave you an awful ar
gumcnt. Williams Is not an easy man
20 get 10 give in. Rut here II is in
black and white. and he can't 60 back
on this. Did you ask him 70 put It
In writingT
mo"
Then be did II OF his own accord
Wonder II he called the detectives OF.
Did be say anything about themY'
"No."
But it's all clear sailing now" he
went on, seldshly jubilant already
planning for the future. II can get
another position and a better one.
There's enough money left 70 give me
time 10 End one. Do you think he'll
interfere any more, Emmay'
II don't know"
what do you think? You must have
some idea"
u haven't the slightest"
well. any way, Emma. you did splen-
didly. You came right 70 the front"
AS he uttered the commentator he
tried again 70 caress her.
please don't, joe
This time she rebuffed him sharply
and moved away from him.
"Oh. all right If that's the way yos
feel about itr'
he turned from her with an injured
air and, lighting a cigarette. began 10
pace the room. Although In his re-
morse during her absence he had re-
solved not 10 ask her what had passed
IN the captains rooms, curiosity, now
that his confidence had been restored
by the proof OF immunity. tormented
his vicious mind. He was not only
ready, but desired 10 know everything
that had occurred even TO unavoidable
details, II any such there were.
He was there when you arrivedT
he questioned. seeing that she showed
10 disposition TO talk