Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-02-08
P A / D / n
Novclized From
Eugene Walters
Great Play -
CHAPTER XIV.

Y YHEN Mrs. Brooks found
W." herself alone in the street
she walked along mechan.
ically, stunned by what
had just occurred. Her heart seemed
to be pressed down by weight, and
her breath came painfully through her
contracted throat She could not be-
lieye that what she had gone through
was real, the thing was so mon
.strous, SO utterly uncomfortable. Her
husband, Joe, for love of whom she
had given up life of ease, for whom
she had borne cheerfully the trials Of
poverty, in whom she had placed her
entire faith. this man, to whom she
had yielded herself trustingly. in
whom, up to that hour, she had be-
lieved as the soul of honor, had stood
exposed as thief and liar.
To save himself from the impending
punishment of his dishonesty he was
willing to trade the honor of his wife!
To maintain himself in the material
ease that his thieving had brought
them for few brief weeks he wanted
her to prostitute herself for money
had entreated and threatened in his
efforts to force her to do this thing!
And she, driven to desperation, had lei
him arrange rendezvous for her with
Captain Williams in the latter's rooms!
She stopped and leaned against a
wall for support. A violent trembling
had seized her, and the street lights
were whirling about her.
My God!' she groaned. what shall
do? What shall / do?'
The fit of faintness passed off. and
she was able to collect her thoughts
and consider the best course of action
When she had undertaken to call or
Captain Williams at that hour it was
with no thought of lending herself tc
her husbands hideous plan. In q
vague. hopeless way she had resolved
to beg mercy for him. to see if there
was not some manner in which atone.
ment and restitution could be made
Now she was afraid. If Sue went to
him, how could she approach him
what could she say? What would he
think Of her coming to his rooms, al
night too? He you'd think. and under
the circumstances naturally think. only
one thing. And she would be complete
| ly in the power CT this colossus. this
ogre whom she secretly feared and de
| tested, who SO often had leered his
unwelcome admiration Of her when she
was powerless to resent 1t.
Her impulse was to turn from the
ordeal and fly from her husband, leav.
| ing him to the fate he merited. She
could go to her mothers home and
| await her return from the theater. She
would at least find refuge there. Bui
In the morning would come the public
exposure and disgrace. No; she must
make the effort. whatever the cost
whatever the sacrifice
Ten minutes later she was knocking
at Captain Williams apartment.
The door swung open. and the cap
tain stood before her.
Come right in, Mrs. Brooks" he in
vited. "I've been waiting for you"
~ was delayed little," she said
timidly.
Your husband telephoned that you
were coming"
"Yes-I know"
1 The words came falteringly, and she
stood, knowing not what to say or
1 what to do.
Did you meet Smith, he inquired.
"Smith?"
your friend Jimsy. He just left"
"No. Why?"
Must have passed you in the ele.
vator. 1t does not matter. Won't you
sit down."
She took the chair he advanced fol
her close to the table.
"You must excuse the looks of these
quarters" he went on. II am an old
bachelor. you know. and my Jap valet