The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-01-31
Grand and the Cronks,


an in all this world" cried B%raddock,
amazement in his eyes. And to
think of 1t! l am the m to have
married you-a thing like me-"
will you do this for me, Tom"
do WHAT"
You know what, Tom"
You mean, give up the n thing
I've lived for all these awful years."
Yes"
be, sooner or later. That man and l
can't live on the earth at the same
time"
"Oh, won't you give me something
to thank you for after all I've"
Wait a minute. Let me think"
He began pacing the fioor again. She
watched him with bated breath, a
half hope in her heart. He stopped
before her once more. His eyes were
bright with a new, strange light. I'll
tell o what I'll do Mary-for you
and Christine. III put an end to my
self. That's the best way out of it.
cant live II he does. It's the sim
plest, surest way. Don't breathe a
word Of this to any one. I'll go down
to the river tonight. That will be the
end of 1t all. | swear to you | won't
hunt up Grand-on my word Of honor,
il you will believe that l have any
honor. There is some sort of integ-
rlty In a man who can fight the battle
| have-and without wavering or
w~himpering. I'll do that for you,
Mary, It's the safest way"
She had heard him at first with a
sickening horror in her soul. 1t was
a frightful compromise that he pro-
posed, She knew he meant II, that he
would keep his word She understood
how great the sacrifice would be on
his part, how bitter the defeat, and
she realized that he was doing it to
justify himself in her eyes.
is there no other way, TOM" she
asked, so quietly that his eyes mar
rowed with a curious intentness.
It's the only one he said grimly.
you promise neon your word of
honor?'
He started. Certainly. I'll do It."
rake your own life"
Il was going to do 1t anyway. Be
fore they could hang me"
There is one alternative, Tom
she said.
You're not thinking of-of taking
me back" he said, aghast at the very
thought Of it.
NO. I'm going to make an offer
that will give. you greater satisfac-
ton than that. Will you go away
from New York for ever il l pay over
to you every cent that | received for
my share In Van Slye's-"
Mo-" he almost shouted. "You
can't buy me off. | was willing to do
the right thing a minute ago. Now.
you've one and spoiled it all" He
clapped his hands to his eyes. His
big frame shook with rage.
She went quickly to him.
Now, | know you are a mana big
man, Tom. | am prouder of you now
than I ever was in all my life. I still
have III promise. You will do 1t to-
night?"
He stared at her as II he could not
believe his ears. but he said ~resolute-
ly:
"Of curse | will"
She sat down as X her limbs sud
denly had lost the power to support
her. He pulled his crumpled hat from
his pocket.
Well" he began. Il guess I'd better
be going"
She struggled to her feet.
Tom, you are not going to leave
this house until tonight"
He drew back. amazed.
WHAT"
I'm going down to the river with
you"
What did you say"
II am going to the river with you.
But you must stay here until tonight.
You are not to go out into the streets.
Do you understand"
"You can't mean that Why, you
must be crazy. You? Why-why, I'm
doing it SO that you can live. You can't
mean what you're thinking Of
Sweat broke out on his forehead.
You do not understand me, Tom. l
am going down to the river with you,
but l am coming back alone"
He slowly grasped the meaning of
1t.
"You-you're going down to see that
l do make an end OF it," he cried.
II want to be sure for Christine's
sake" she said quite steadily.
He was glaring at her now. ooh,
see. You don't trust me-" he exclaim.
ed bitterly. But / won't stay here.
The police are likely to pile In here
any minute with a warrant for me.
That would be fine. wouldn't it?"
She grasped his arm. tom, you
may go II you'll promise to come back
tonight"
Whats that for?"
Because l insist. At 10 O'Clock or
any time you may choose. only you
must come back"
"Ill come" he said uneasily. 81
don't see any use in 1t though"
"No," abe exclaimed. "It mist he