Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-10-22
CHAPTER XIV,

life"
CHATTER XIV.
- ATTAIN WILLIAMS lower
Jaw advanced. and his pig
~ gish eyes contracted. He
threw off his too amiable de-
mcanor His voice became harsh and
cruel as his natural brutality asserted
Itself
a man like me. eh:" he rasped.
That's pretty hard language. Mrs.
Brooks"
Please forgive me and let me talk"
IF you didn't come here to see me
sort of socially. what did you come
for:"
About Joe-my husband
What about him."
Il asked you the amount OF the def
nlcation."
You said II was your business.
Well, it's more than $4,000"
Emma was astounded. and her heart
sank. She had not imagined that 1t
could be so large a sum.
rs that the TRUTH she asked.
Il amt never been noted for lying"
Captain Williams, I've come here TO
plead with you to 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 he was an
honest man."
ings with me. Mrs. Brooks. but that's
not less than every man has got to be
who deals with me-
II 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 Mt the time-every-
body had-and some pity for me In
this trouble. l thought all these things
might soften you. might open way
to some arrangement that would save
us from the exposure that seems now
bound to come tomorrow morning.
Isn't there some way out OF IL"
But he was all business now. He
had satisfied himself that he had vast
ed his time with her.
Have you got the money!" he snap
ped.
NO"
Then what's your prOpositionT'
Il have none." she confessed hope
lessly, hanging her head.
"IIumph!" he grunted. settling him
self in his chair.
II thought thought you might be
d little more charitable and suggest
some way" she murmured.
Your husband sent you here, didn't
he!"
Yes"
What did he say to you?'
Told me | might have some intiu-
ence with you"
Put the blame on you for stealing
the money. didn't hep
How did you know that:"
She raised her head and looked at
him In surprise
II know the man. Didn't he?'
YES"
Told you. didn't he, that you could
fix 1t up with me to call everything
OffY
"Yes. that's what he said" she ad,
mitted wOnderingly.
And l suppose he said that II you
didn't come you'd have to take the
blame for him going to the peniten-
tiary"
TIT was something like that"
"Didn't happen to mention. did he.
that he thought I liked you pretty
well"
yves" she stammered, now utterly
bewildered. II think that was part
Of what he said"
Didn't forget that, Ell? Well" he
continued, looking once more straight
into her eyes and putting the issue
sQuarely to her. I'm here and you're
here. That part seems oil right. What
have you got to sayT'
She sustained his gaze bravely and
answered. though with no hope in her
heart:
"Is there any honorable way in
which l can help him"
What do you mean by 'honorable?"
Emma lost all patience. Her nerves,
that had been under such severe
strain. were getting beyond control.
She rose, flushing angrily.
You know what l mean by honor
able! You know what any good wom-
an means when she says honorable
You're beating about the bush, Cap
tain Williams. II you want to come
to the point. come to It and come to
1t quickly. l am going home"
Now you're talking. my lass" he
said grimly. getting up also. land I'll
talk right back 10 you. II I took your
opinion Of mo and that OF your THEY
Ing husband I wouldn't have to talk.
I'd tell you In plain words that II you
wanted to go TO San Francisco with
me I'd take chance on the overeat-
Ing and wouldn't put you on n diet
Ike l put the rest What would YOU
do then? What II did make the prop
osition that's In your mind ard was
In the mind Of that sneuking husband
OF yours when he tried to put you on
the bargain counter and send you over
TO me TO see II I'd put the price up 10
sixteen thousand? What II I looked
you over and was pleased and thought
you cheap ut that figure: You say I've
killed men. Yes, | have-wrung their
heads OF with this hand like you'd
sling chicken In the air. You came
here FOR purpose. You amt no child.
What II am the beast and the brute
you say l am? What'll you do then?
said you was the first lady to come
IN here. Maybe made a mistake.
but II did I'll find 1t out before you
leave this room. you understand? I've
talked .xnOyx,a yo,y.taik