Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-01-11
Fighting Hope y
From the Play by
WILLIAM J. HURLBURT


lad come into Changers face at her
discriminating words vanished.
anna. it's not true! 1t couldn't be
true that you would expose me" he
gasped in a sort of terror. You are
not going to tell about that letter?
why. l am your husband, Anna-your
husband! did certify that check.
| Yes. did. But, good God. why should
you want to ruin me?"
he sank at her feet in pit1ful: alb
ject appeal.
"Anna. as your husband. as a man
who loves you and whom you once
loved. say, forgive me. Great heav-
ems! I've repented. I've paid thrice
over again for my folly. What can
do now? can't undo what's been
done. It's you who must wipe out the
stain; help me to begin over again.
Your forgiveness would be absolution.
Anna, you will forgive me?"
Curiously the woman touched bis
shoulder. Instinctively she wanted to
feel just little bit alive. But she
might as we'll have touched a post Of
wood. 1t seemed as though the very
faculty of feeling had been obliterated
within her.
"Forgive you? l suppose l must.
Robert" she said lifelessly. "All wo-
men forgive. They were put into the
world like priests or governors. think
Only we are not supposed to give pen
ances or sentences Her voice tra1led
of YEARLY.
"You see, Anna." Granger went on.
trying to excuse himself. Il knew
hadn't made the success OF my lie
that you'd expected. 1t touched my
pride to the quick to see you living IN
that narrow way-you. who might
have been a queen among women" A
look of cunning came into his face.
"And then. the boys"-
But, Robert. didn't you know that
/ would sooner have worked my In
gers to the bone and my brain to lit
tie white spot than have you do this
awful thing? Didn't you know would
sooner have worn rags than have you
steal?" She made pitiful little ges-
ture and ended with half sob.
II know, ! know" said he. Its easy
now to see what a mad idea 1t all
was. But ! had that chance to get a
fresh start in life. With money could
do big things: could make myself all
that you wanted me to be. The boys
we're growing up. We needed more for
them for college and to give them a
fair start.
And listen, Anna"-he moistened
his lips-"l've invested the money. I
put it in stocks that would pay we'll:
l was going to use the interest for you
and the boys. a little at time. You
see. it was for you and them ! did it.
l was fool. perhaps-l was worse.
Yes. know. But you'll help me now.
won't you? I need you'll"
The appeal had gone home: he had
aroused the maternal instinct. always
dominant in Annals breast (The
Largo of Motherhood" in the SYN.
phony of Womanhood" was playing
again1 She put out her hand toward
him again with quick. unconscious
gesture. such as she used in the nurs-
cry when the children were tired or
naughty.
"Yes. Robert" she admitted. you do
need some one. You need me. yes"
Craven's voice. speaking to the but.
Ter in the nall. broke In upon them.
Not in the library? Well. find him
and tell him his cars ready now. Just
saw the chauffeur drive up. Tell him
III be with him In minute. Have a
letter to rattle off first"
Its Craven. the attorney" explain
ed Anna. following Roberts fright.
ened took toward the door.
II don't want to see any one" shiv.
cred Granger. Cant we 80 in there"
He motioned to door on the opposite
side Of the room. Realizing how sen
sitive he must feel. Anna nodded.
Yes. 60. I'll call you when he's
left"
The door had barely closed upon his
retrcating figure when Craven blus-
tered in. Evidently as yet he knew
nothing either Of Annals confession or
OF her husbands presence.
Miss Dale. please rattle off letter
for me-" said be. settling down in a
chair and pulling some notes hurriedly
out Of his pocket.
But hasn't Mr.. Temple told you?"
Anna hesitated before taking the die.
tation.
Eth? Told me? What?' snapped
Craven buried in his notes. He'll tell
Inc later. suppose" Of course it was
this matrimonial nonsense. Mean
while. Miss Dale, you'll just take this
direct to the machine. won't you? It's
not long. It's TO call off lot of un.
necessary work in regard to the Gran