Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-10-08
CHAPTER NJ.


very morrow the name she bore would
be held up to disgrace and derision
He would be 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 CHASTITY position. It was yet not
imrervious to pity, and the hopeless
wretchedness of her husband inspired
It, She thought of how he had lavish
ed his stealinSs 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 boyv she said
brokenly. How could you do it?'
Didn't you know sooner or later you'd
be found out? Now know why you've
been interested In the races-you've
been betting on the horses"
II wanted to get the money back"
he Sohbcd
'liut 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
THAT'S right You call ME n 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 I haven't
turned on you. Only can't help but
thiuk"-
"What? That man Williams drove
me to taking money"
"Drove you:'
Eyes. he did. He went away so l
could take II. expected you to stand
by me. Do you know the hole I'm In
There are three central office men
downstairs watching II 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
LIE? That's the queStion-whut of
me-"
He thumped his breast violently.
She drew back. hurt by his re-
rroaches.
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 ! want now is somebody to help
me out | don't want to go to jail 1t
| would kill me-
ado you think | want you Ia go to
| jail? Do you think | want the dis
grace
THE disgrace-that's II. knew
| that would come sooner or later. but
| didn't think 1t would come from you.
There's always somebody to hammer
that into n fellow when he's down"
| I'm not trying to hammer anything
into you. What | want to know is
what can he done. what are we going
to do:"
| IL don't know -unlesS"-
UNLESS we can yet the money to
| pay back. There's .Iinsy"
That won't DO It's too much He
hasn't got II. Besides. It's too late
Williams means business He wouldn't
take the money He's not that kind"
| "Oh. II ! only knew II way-if
could only help"
| She wrun- her hands and sank hope
lessly int" Il chair hy the table
Brooks paced the room rrstlpSs,y.
Ike Il wild animal in II cage Now and
then he shot Il peculiar. furtive glance
| In the direction of his wife Finally
he sat opposite to her. leaned toward
her on the table and said In n low. in
tense voice:
IF anything Is to be done. it's got 10
be done tonight. Emma Williams Is
the only man. You can square II wiki
him"
Il cam"
Yes, aud no one but you"
! What can do:"
He looked AT her uicaningly.
He likes YOU
Startled. she returned his gaze In
Quiringly
Yes, lie does" he went on. lie al
ways did. Women are his weak point
He's liked you for years. That's why
he hangs around. I've seen il aud
heard what he said tonight about what
he'd do for Il girl like you. lie meant
that. Emma. He'll do anything you
ask him Tiff you so 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 so. No one will know but
just Williams. you and me. And you
can do more than that-you can make
him give us money. more money, to
keep on living like this. and there won't
be any risk"
She recoiled from him. consumed with
rage and shame. her eyes blazing.
II hope l don't understand arightv
The words came in quivering gasps.
You mean me to go to his apartment
tonight to see him-and-and"-
mo one will know the difference"
he coa1ed softly. You can handle
him all right. Besides. You know how
FAR you can let man go-all women
know that"
"Oh. / can't believe I'm listening Il
you. A husband to ask Wife
She stopped. pressing her cheeks
between her clinched hands, APPALLED,
Mt his infamy.
''Then you won't do it?" he cried
angrily. You won't come to the front
/ suppose you don't think l ought to
ask. Why shouldn't /? Who did |
steal the money for? did 1t because
you made me-"
| That's lie."
You know it's the truth. When |
married you your father was to help
me. and he died. and then you had to
do your own work. and you whIned
and complained"
! That's another lie"