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

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 coaxed softly. "You can handle
him all right. Besides, you know how
far you can let a man go-all women
know that"
"Oh, can't believe I'm listening to
you! A husband to ask a wife,
She stopped, pressing her cheeks
between her clinched hands, appalled,
at his infamy.
Then you won't do itT' he cried
angrily. "You won't come to the frontl
/ suppose you don't think 1 ought to
ask. Why shouldn't II Who did
steal the money fort did it because
you made mew
That's a lier'
you know it's the truth. When I
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 Her
"Oh, you never said 80 in 90 many
words, but I saw it-for four years
around the house. saw you signing
and moping because you didn't have
enough to live on. Then there were
that mother of yours and your sister
they never stopped. You tried to make
yourself martyr. Every moment Of
your life was a mute protest against
our poverty-yes. it was. and you know
1t. Do you remember that night when
you said you couldn't 60 to the theater
because you didn't have clothesi That
was the first time took money. That's
when I began"
you knew wouldn't have gone If
had known"
But you did go-you kept on 60
ing, and 1 kept on stealing for you.
God, how I've suffered for you, for the
clothes on your back. Every night
has been q nightmare. Now I'm going
to jail, you know that. I'm going up
there on the river for years because
you won't do your part"
II can't do what you want"
He became scientifically persuasive
again.
"Why can't your he urged. "Other
women have for less reason-one to get
control Of a transcontinental railroad
for her husband. I've risked every
thing for you. If you go there tonight
won't 60 to jail; won't be hauled
into court; no one will know but the
three of US. No one will think the less
Of you. I've gone through to the limit
for you; it's up to you to 60 through
for me-"
"Then If you go to jail you mean
that I've sent you thereT
Eyes, and down in your heart you
know you have"
Every instinct Of her pure woman
hood, every fiber Of her hesh, revolted
at this cynical exhibition of his vile
ness. She contemplated him with
loathing.
Nov that see you naked in all
your nasty meanness. your contempti-
bic viciousness, wonder how ever
made the mistake of thinking you even
half a man." she said.
This scathing, denunciation made no
impression on his deadened sense of
honor and decency.
"You can't dodge the responsibility
with fine speeches." he replied, shrug-
ging his shoulders. "I've gone wrong
for you. What are you going to dol
Be square with me and take this
chance-an easy chance-and you know
you're safe"
She did not answer, but stood there
her face set in Its expression of abhor-
renee and indignation, celebrating as
to the best course to pursue toward
this unspeakable villain to whom she
was bound and who watched her WITH
anxious, cringing mien.
She addressed him finally in cold
harsh tones:
"Whatever I may do or promise to
do, promise simply because you
blame me-"
Emma, knew you'd
Don't make the mistake that I care
for you. Whatever I felt for you, and
! thought It was love, you've assassi
mated in the last ten minutes. But ]
don't want you to go to jail pointing q
finger Of accusation at me-"
'Then you'll be square-you'il help
you'll
you understand that If bargain
with Captain Williams for your free
dom l make the bargain"
II know. I'll never ask"
ut will be my business alone"
Eyes, just yours"
els he homer"
eyes, / think so. He said he wal
going there"
Telephone and ask him If he car
see me-now-alone."
He jumped to the instrument, but al
his hand grasped the receiver he hesi
tated, and a flush suffused his white
drawn cheeks, brought there by the
flrst true consciousness Of the enor
nifty Of his crime. He looked around
guiltily at his wife. She was standing
rigid, her back toward him. He tool
down the receiver.
"Seven. Bix- eight four BRYANT" b