The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-01-27
F u Ii
John w. Harding
Copyright. 1908. by G. ". Dilline-
ham Co.

wanted OF ner, she rose SLOWLY, In
credulous horror in her eyes. He rose
also and went toward her.
Hes home now" he urged eagerly.
"You can 60. 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 Oh living like this, and there won't
be any risk"
She recOiled from him. consumed with
rage and shame. her eyes blazing.
81 hope l don't understand arightw
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. l can't believe I'm listening t.
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 it?" he cried
angrily. "You won't come to the front
l suppose you don't think l ought to
ask. Why shouldn't 1? Who did l
steal the money for? l did it because
you made met"
"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!"
"Oh, you never said so in so many
words. but l saw it-for four years
around the house. l 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 mute protest against
our poverty-yes. it was, and you know
it. Do you remember that night when
you said you couldn't go to the theater
because you didn't have clothes? That
was the first time took money. That's
when I began"
"You knew l wouldn't have gone If
l had known"
But you did go-you kept on go
ing, and l kept on stealing for you
God, how I've suffered for you, for the
clothes on your back. Every night
has been nightmare. Now I'm going
to Jail, you know that. I'm going up
there OH 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 transcontinental railroad
for her husband. I've risked every
thing for you. If you go there tonight
l won't go 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 go through
for me-
''Then If you go to jail you mean
that I've sent you there?"
Eyes, and down in your heart you
know you have"
Every instinct Of her pure woman
hood, every fiber of her flesh, revolted
at this cynical exhibition of his vile
ness. She contemplated him with
loathing.
"Now that l see you naked in all
your nasty meanness, your contempt.
BILE viciOusnesS, I wonder how I 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. 1--WE gone wrong
for you. What are you going to do?
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 it's 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 l may do or promise to
do, promise simply because you
blame me-"
emma. knew you'd
"Don't make the mistake that care
for you. Whatever l felt for you. and
thought 1t was love. you've assassi-
mated IT, the last ten minutes. But I
don't want you to go to jail pointing a
finger of accusation at me-"
"Then you'll be square-you'll help
you'll
you understand that If I bargain
with Captain Williams for your free
dom I make the bargain"
II know. I'll never ask"
ut will be my business alone"