Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-02-09
Hope y
e "a FIN "a N
From the Play by
WILLIAM J. HURLBURT

flames stung her like so many scor-
pion tongues. Was 1t wild fancy or
was Cato really watching her with
that dumb. awful reproach In his eyes?
God In heaven! What had she done?
If she had destroyed the proof Of Rob
erts guilt she had also destroyed the
proof Of Burton Temples innocence!
not had time to think.
The telephone bell rang. In her
dnzed, distorted condition 1t seemed
far away. She did not move to an
swer It at once.
"I'll take it'll take the message,
Miss Dale" called Temple cheerfully.
blowing into the room at this second.
His face wore an unclOuded look OF
lightness as he picked up the receiver.
Hello! Yes. What's that you say?
Esterbrook. the district attorney, wants
me on the wire? All right. Tell him to
step up; here 1 am" And then to the
district attorney:
"You want to see that Granger let
ter personally tonight? Yes. where?
At your home. Very well. I'll fetch
It down myself tonight. Goodby."
Miss Dale" he said. turning to his
secretary. II think If you'll get me that
letter out Of the safe I'll take the next
train for New York"
The room seemed to be darkening
She made few steps toward the safe,
tottered and fell upon the divan. With
a long shudder that relaxed all her
young limbs her senses left her
Poor little woman, she's been work
ing too hard! ought to have thought"
Temple rang the bell for Mrs. Mason,
then bent above her in a tender alb
sorption, speaking to her as he might
have spoken to q child. calling her,
comforting and rousing her. His deep
voice had an enchanter's sweetness,
and gradually 1t wooed her back to
life. She did not know what he was
saying to her, but she responded. Her
white lids fluttered; she moved; deep
sigh lifted her breast.
At that moment the door In Mrs. Ma
sons hand escaped her and swung to.
Mrs. Mason, is that your" said Tenn
pie, without looking around. "Will you
come here? Poor child, I'm afraid she
needs your care"
Anna raised herself by an effort. Her
first half conscious impulse was to
throw herself into the arms of the
woman standing by her. Then as she
perceived Mrs. Mason clearly, as her
reason came back and her gaze stead
led, the impulse died.
THAT was a dowdy sort Of thing to
do" said she apologetically, with a
faint smile. She rose to her feet
did l turn up my eyes to heaven.
wabble once and overwhelm you, Mr..
Temple? I've seen 1t done like that
on the stage; 1t looks melodramatic.
I'm sorry" She was talking frivo-
lously against the awful blackness Of
despair In the background Of her mood
snow, Mrs. Mason" Temple said,
with big kindness. help Miss Dale
to her room. lock her In If need be,
and don't let her show her face until
tomorrow at noon. Strict orders, you
understand" he added smilingly.
"She's overworked. Oh. and Miss Dale
I'm SO sorry to trouble you. but Just
one moment before you 60. Would
you mind giving me that combination
90 that I can jot it DOWN." Suiting
the action TO the words, he pulled out
q book Of memoranda.
81 In very bewildered, pathetic
fashion Anna Changers hands went
up to her heavy masses Of hair. Its
my dizzy. dizzy head. Mr.. Temple"
said she. "I-Tm afraid l can't re-
member the combination just now"
"Well, never mind" returned he
| gently. "Therc's a later train can
take. and when II comes to you just
send 1t down by Mrs. Mason. Good
evening, and sleep well tonight. I've
lots to say to you tomorrow. Miss
Dale" he called after them in down
right boyish fashion. His burden of
months had been lifted, and he was
coming to his own again.
| Once In the privacy Of her own room
Anna told Mrs. Mason everything. She
sat there now. twisting and untwisting
her hands in silence. her face very
an envelope, out Of which she took two
enclosures.
''They sent them to me, as I told
them," she explained to the wan moth
er, handing her the children's letters.
Harold writes pretty we'll for five,
doesn't he. Mrs. Mason" observed
Anna with pride. opening the younger
boys missive first. And she read
aloud:
Dear Mother-When are you coming
home? ] am well. l hope you are we'll.
] had stomach ache The cat had kit
tens. Are you coming home next week?
Robbie says he is going to be president.
| He's been 1t every day this week. Won't
you please make Robbie not be president
every day right along? He let's me be
vice president. but that's no fun. When
are you coming home? Very respectfully.
your son, HAROLD GRANGER
"And what does Robbie's letter saw"
asked Mrs. Mason as Anna stopped
to wipe the foolish little mother tears
from her eyes.
MY Dearest Middle (she began with
q sorrowful pride In her voice .'Bobs has
never left of calling me .Muddie,' Mrs.
Mason. Don't you think it's dear and
pretty Of himO-Do not worry. Every
thing Is quite all right. Harold had the
stomach ache. but that's all right too.
Harold misses you when we go to bed.
| but don't, not till after Harold's got to
| sleep. Your son.
ROBERT GRANGER NO. z"
HE signed 1t Robert Granger No.
2, the second" finished she, drawing
long. sobbing breath. "Oh, my
boys, my boys! Whatever can do to
scotch the criminal traces of Robert
Granger the first that may be running
In your bloodY
Mrs. Mason considered 1t the mo-
ment Tor interfering on Roberts be-
half.
HE just made one terrible mistake.
Anna. that's ALL"
Il don't know" said Anna, slowly