The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1913-11-15

/ had to protect myself: and tina.
would be-against me. And It
WOULD be known. Hammond
would never let II be settled pri-
vately. He couldn't prosecute me-
on the old charge. but ! suppose he
might make a claim of-of perjury.
Anyhow, just the publicity would
ruin me. And he would make IL
public. Trust Hammond! Besides.
I've given II back ten times over Ia
unpaid-work to the estate Hs
stopped abruptly. Amy had tainted.
gle The immediate horror Of VIC.
lence was over: he WAS ashamed:
and he loved her; and he was
frightened. But he was immovable.
His hardness was worse than his
violence.
Monday. the holiday-Monday.
they struggled TO the death.
II was In the afternoon that abe
suddenly tagged. She had been
kneeling beside him, entreattns
him. ond he had been hard and vto-
would not And toward dusk there
came a dreadful pause. Il was
sudden blasting consciousness that
the man must save or lose his own
soul. II she forced him to make
restitution. the restitution would /,
not oe his. but hers. No, he must
save himself She could not sa1o
him.
She drew away and looked at
him: then she covered her face with
her hands. Il am DONE" she said.
family.
The afternoon was very long:
once ne went and walked drearily
about the snowy lanes. avoiding
passersby as we'll as he could. Blu.
for the most part he sat In the IL
hrary and tried TO read or smoke.
II was late at night that his vito
came hack into the room. Shs
stood in the old place. on the hearth
rug. Very gently she told him
what she had TO say.
Il have thought II all out" sho
began in n low voice; "and | see
was wrong" He started. Il was
wrong. You must save your own
soul. can't do II for you Oh.
! would! But ] can't. shall not
ever again insist"
Amy" he began, but she checke
him.
Please, I am not through yet.
| shall pay the money back, some
how, sometime. (Oh. wait-wait:
DON'T interrupt mel or course.
/ shall not betray you My pay
ing Ii shall not tell the truth, be-
cause unless the truth is from you
It caunot help you. 1t must bs
your truth. not mine. But shall
save bnd save and pay It back: to
clear my own soul. For Il have
lived on that $4,000 too" she said
with a sick look. 1T will take
long time" she said, family.
Thomas Fleming. looking logged.
ly at the floor. said: Il suppose
you'll get separation"
Get separation" she glanced
at him for an instant. why We
are separated" she said. We
can't be any more separated than
we are. suppose we have never
been together. But won't leave
you, Il that is what you mean"
You'll stay with me?" he burst
ont: Il thought you despised me
why. no." she said. slowly; Il
don think despise you | dom,
THINK | do, But. OF course
She looked away. helplessly. "Os
course. have no respect for you.
We'll" he said, I'm sorry. But
there's nothing | can do about it
Amy turned listlessly as II TO go
upstairs again but he caught at her
dress.
You really mean you won't
leave me?"
NO. | won't leave YOU
"Of course" he said, roughly, you
don't love me; but" His voice
faltered into a sort OF question.
She turned sharply from him, hill
Ing her face in her arm, and NOV
ing blindly toward the door. oh
she said; "oh-l'm afraid-l-"
And at that he broke. Lsovs
brought him TO his knees: his arms
around her waist. his head against
her breast. his tears on her hand.
Amy, | will do It. | will give
II back. Oh. Amy. Amy"
(THE END)