The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-07-09

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told me dozen other amazing POS
sibilities and "reminiscences. l en-
couraged him to talk, at first
merely to dull the clamor of
thought at my inner ear. In the
end, kept him near here"
cts SO real, John?"
cts so real and so possible. 1
have satisfied myself of that.
Either Of us could carry the plan
through, with Desmond; but we
must realize that the one who I'M
dertakes it steps out of this life.
For, facing the fact, disaster in the
end is almost certain. The govern
ment machinery is so perfect; he
who breaks the law can scarcely
hope to escape arrest sooner or
later. And If that hapens, our
world must never guess. Whoever
accepts the work must leave here
for an indefinate journey abroad,
ostensibly; and in reality lose his
identity absolutely somewhere. The
one who goes must endure in
silence whatever happens; the one
who stays"
GO on"
"The one who stays" John fin
ished gently, must not interfere
or try to save"
Robert shuddered slightly and
sat still for an instant.
1T is for the women he said,
his boyish voice quite steady.
Shall we draw lots, or will you let
me go?"
"Bertie, Bertie!" John exclaimed,
and, rising abruptly, walked to the
rail.
When he came back to the seat
beside his brother, it was with his
face turned from the silver light
pouring through the arches of the
veranda.
eve are spared the pain of
choosing our roles, Bertie," he de-
clared with grave finality. THE
decision is not ours. Theodore
cares for one of us. Aunt Rose
admitted as much to me, although
she herself could not say which.
OF course that is the one who
stays. You see l am just taking it
for granted that we both love her.
We have never talked about it,
but we knew, l think"
Eyes"
John waited, but no more was
volunteered.
you agree with me?" he at last
questioned.
ooh, suppose SOL" Robert flung
savagely. John, l am not blind;
If you propose this, it is because
you are satisfied Theo will choose
me. If you sacrifice everything
to save Sun-Kist for the women, it
is because you mean the sacrifice
to be yourself. Tell the truth; if
were to go, you would refuse to
carry out the plan"
81 said either OF us could do the
work"
Yes. but you mean to do it
yourself"
II mean to leave the decision to
Theodore"
Honestly"
Honestly. And our time is
short. Robert; ask her tonight
when she comes home"
81 will not" he refused fatty.
Take your right as eldest and
tell her your story before tell
mine. will not take advantage
of you. Oh. If she were only less
delicate. less fastidiously reared,
less unable to endure even vex-
alton! If we could only fight it
out, you and T."
"Hush. hush; this is the fight.
We are paying the penalty for be-
ing fit for no better battle; he who
can use neither gun nor sword
must be sent to dig in the muddy
trenches"
I'VE could take care of our
selves"
without doubt. or starve decent
ly. But we to take care of others"
John. let me GO"
'"Play fair. BERTHE"
John"
"And Theo?"
The younger dropped his head
against the others knee.
Il think your part will be harder
than mine," John rejoined after
long silence. 1T is less difficult
to suffer tnan to watch another en-
dure. can very we'll believe we
are taking the wrong way, but |
do not see better. And for the
-smudge-I have one consolation"
THAT is, John?"
"The crime chosen is one that
the state finds 1t advisable to con.
denim for reasons Of policy. 1t Is
not so actual wrong to our fell
low men as a fortune made in Wall
street or in specializing on their
necessities. l am going to break
mans regulations. not Gods law"
II hope you are right" said Rob-
ert with equal reverence. But you
are taking an unblazed trail, and
the safe road lies far aside"
Down the smooth slope of the
countryside crept the vibrating
throb of an automobile. accom-
panied by laughter and the faint
sound of gay voices. Some one in
the party was singing-a man
whose clear tenor reached the two